South Africa Cricket

I have been following this country very closely in every big tournament. This team has got one of the best batting line-ups, skillful bowlers and most energetic fielding side. But what they lack exactly that despite being the favourites in every tournament they have to exit early? In this cup also, they started off well by defeating the Caribbean side and an overwhelming victory over Netherlands and losing out to England on a crucial encounter. This loss to the Englishmen hints towards their same old problem of losing out in crucial encounters despite being a better side.

Also Read: Litmus Test For India Against South Africa

The problem what I feel in proteas is the ability to hold on to nerves when it comes down to wire. No one can forget their 1999 World Cup 2nd Semi-final debacle against Australia,  Klusener’s played a cameo to bring his team back into the game after losing quick wickets but Allan Donald made a mess of this Golden chance. Same story being repeated in next two consecutive World Cups and even in Champions Trophies. South Africans are still struggling to figure out the solution for their big tournament’s jinx.

Coming back to the current world cup and their loss to England and next they face is India in a crucial encounter. Recalling the last time these two cricket giants met in world cup was in 1999 with South Africans being the winners, getting the better of India. I can’t forget that 97 runs scored by Saurav Ganguly in that match with a well paced half century by Rahul Dravid went in vain as the South Africans chased down 254 with ease. Thanks once again to their all time savior Kallis.

The pitch in Nagpur is expected to favour batsmen. This is the same venue where Hashim Amla plundered 200 runs last year in the test match making merry out of Indian Bowling attack. So we can expect a really high scoring game tomorrow. Kallis, the only South African to have completed 10,000 runs in both Test and one-day cricket, has so far contributed just 21 runs in his side’s three matches. But South Africa suffered a blow ahead of Saturday’s game when leg-spinner Imran Tahir became a doubtful starter after fracturing his left thumb during the England match. Hopefully Peterson would to rise to the occasion to help them stop the Indian Batting Juggernaut.

But the problem still remain, what is the South African lack which stops them from winning big tournaments? Proteas should sit down and analyze their previous performances and improve on their latent errors.

Tags: Cricket, India, Litmus Test, Nagpur, Proteas, South Africa, VCA Stadium, World Cup, World Cup Jinx