Can the Proteas keep up their good form against Australia?
After eclipsing England earlier in the week, South Africa travel to St Lucia to face their old foe, Australia, who are looking infallible.
The wicket in St Lucia will not suit the South Africans. It is similar to the wicket that led to their loss to New Zealand - low and slow.
If South Africa win though (and yes, it is a big 'if), they will face Sri Lanka or New Zealand on a pitch that will suit them a lot better.
Meanwhile, the South African bowling star, Gary Hall, has revealed his 'secret'. He says that reverse-swing is possible as long as a ball is not replaced, and so the South Africans have worked hard to keep the ball clean and in good condition. A new ball, Hall claims, may take as long as 10 overs to find that tricky but effective result: reverse-swing
Looking back, the Proteas have had a topsy turvy tournament. I good match against the West Indies, a terrible performance against Bangladesh, and two acceptable but not brilliant turns of play against the Netherlands and Scotland. Their match aginst Australia proved that South Africa may lack an essential self belief in themselves.
They fared better against New Zealand, although were guilty of numerous dropped catches: failures that are just unthinkable at this level of cricket, and from the erstwhile top ranked team.
But then, the last performance was South Africas' game against England. Naturally, this would have boosted the team's confidence enormously. One imagines the squad is now regrouping, and carefully planning how to face Australia again.
What they will aim for is something similar to their result against England, which was, in a word: Devastation. This happens when one team plays terribly (in this case England - who lost their last seven wickets for a meagre 43 runs) while their opponents not only rise to the occasion, but post excellent totals and some produce personal bests.
In the wake of England's defeat, English Coach Duncan Fletcher, has decided to quit.
England's Andrew Strauss (46), Paul Collingwood (30) and Ravi Bopara (27 not out) put in spirited performances, but in the end, it just wasn't nearly enough.
When all was said and done, England had managed a mediocre total of 154/10 (from 48.0 overs) at a run rate of just 3.21. South Africa responded by posting 157 runs in just 19.2 overs, at a run rate of 8.12. South Africa sailed to an easy 9 wicket victory.
But the match was won more likely than not by an excellent display of bowling by the South Africans, and lost by a dismal performance, for example by the English Captain. Vaughan made just 17 before being trapped leg before wicket by a fiery Nel.
Andre Nel (3-35) was the first to upset the apple cart. After Vaughan Nel struck against the possible nemisis of the South Africans, ex South African and in-form batsman Kevin Pietersen.
Pietersen went into the game ranked as one of the best batsmen of the tournament, and certainly England's top batsman. He'd already put 341 runs on the board before the crucial outing against South Africa. Ironically, after a lacklustre and somewhat subdued performance, Pietersen was caught by his arch rival, the South African captain, Graeme Smith.
South Africa's victory not only meant England had to pack their bags, but ended the West Indies slim chance of making the semi-final (in terms of run rate).
South Africans back home were baying for blood, having heard that some members of the squad had been out drinking (and apparently quite sozzled) until the wee hours of the morning, having lost their match to New Zealand. Knowing their hides were on the line, the South Africans played as though their lives depended on it.
Gary Hall put in a career best performance (5-18 off 10 overs), and the SA captain came good with a brisk 13 fours in his 58-ball innings (to post a total of 89 not out).
The top four teams are now:
Australia
New Zealand
Sri Lanka
South Africa
South Africa face Australia on Wednesday the 25th in St Lucia, while New Zealand face Sri Lanka one day earlier, in Jamaica.
If South Africa manage to beat Australia (who have not lost a single match so far), they stand a good chance to win the World Cup. Their loss against New Zealand can arguably attributed to the toss, but then, some will say, 'that's cricket'.
The final is on Saturday, 28th of April.
For more information visit www.cricketworldcup.com
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