When it comes to the World Cup, lady luck has always eluded team South Africa. They hold the dubious distinction of 'Chokers' at the biggest platform of cricket. The hard luck that this team has faced in the World Cup history is unparalleled by any other team.
Who can forget the 1999 World Cup semi-final match between South Africa and Australia? Needing just one run in three balls, South Africa were so close to reaching the finals, but Allan Donald refused to take that run while Lance Klusener plunged from the other end leading to run out of Donald. The match was tied, but South Africa could not make it to the finals due to lower run rate.
Presently ranked fourth in the ODI rankings, South Africa's team for the current edition of the World Cup looks like a match winner on paper. Can they translate it on the field and finally claim their dominance in world cricket? Here's a look at the South African squad and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the team.
SQUAD:
Graeme Smith (Captain), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers (WK), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Morne van Wyk (WK).
STRENGTHS:
The deadly duo, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel are considered the best pacemen combo in the world today. The team also has Jacques Kallis, undoubtedly one of the top allrounders cricket has seen. As this could be the last world cup for Kallis, he would definitely want to finish it on a high note. Apart from this, South Africa has a strong batting line up with Amla and de Villiers leading the way, closely supported by Smith, Kallis and Duminy.
WEAKNESSES:
The tag of Chokers follows the team and so on a big stage like this, the team can throw up a surprise by underperformance. South Africa does not have enough to boost in its spin department, which is a prime requirement for playing in the sub-continental conditions. Dropping the experienced Mark Boucher in favor of young guns could prove costly to the team, as the middle order does not look too strong.
OPPORTUNITIES:
The team is composed of new blood who will try all their might to prove themselves. The senior players too, for some of whom this world cup could be the swansong, will also give in their best to get rid of the title of Chokers. Their uncapped leg-spinner Imran Tahir could wake up to be the find of this world cup. Placed in a group with India, England, Bangladesh, West Indies, Netherlands and Ireland, South Africa's chances of making it to the quarter finals look pretty high.
THREATS:
Injury concerns are looming large over key players like Kallis, which could prove to be a major mood dampener for the team. With most of their opposition teams having strong spinners, their batting could be vulnerable.
Reaching the semi-finals three times in 1992, 1999 and 2007 has been South Africa's best performances in World Cup so far. Will it change this time?
Who can forget the 1999 World Cup semi-final match between South Africa and Australia? Needing just one run in three balls, South Africa were so close to reaching the finals, but Allan Donald refused to take that run while Lance Klusener plunged from the other end leading to run out of Donald. The match was tied, but South Africa could not make it to the finals due to lower run rate.
Presently ranked fourth in the ODI rankings, South Africa's team for the current edition of the World Cup looks like a match winner on paper. Can they translate it on the field and finally claim their dominance in world cricket? Here's a look at the South African squad and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the team.
SQUAD:
Graeme Smith (Captain), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers (WK), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Morne van Wyk (WK).
STRENGTHS:
The deadly duo, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel are considered the best pacemen combo in the world today. The team also has Jacques Kallis, undoubtedly one of the top allrounders cricket has seen. As this could be the last world cup for Kallis, he would definitely want to finish it on a high note. Apart from this, South Africa has a strong batting line up with Amla and de Villiers leading the way, closely supported by Smith, Kallis and Duminy.
WEAKNESSES:
The tag of Chokers follows the team and so on a big stage like this, the team can throw up a surprise by underperformance. South Africa does not have enough to boost in its spin department, which is a prime requirement for playing in the sub-continental conditions. Dropping the experienced Mark Boucher in favor of young guns could prove costly to the team, as the middle order does not look too strong.
OPPORTUNITIES:
The team is composed of new blood who will try all their might to prove themselves. The senior players too, for some of whom this world cup could be the swansong, will also give in their best to get rid of the title of Chokers. Their uncapped leg-spinner Imran Tahir could wake up to be the find of this world cup. Placed in a group with India, England, Bangladesh, West Indies, Netherlands and Ireland, South Africa's chances of making it to the quarter finals look pretty high.
THREATS:
Injury concerns are looming large over key players like Kallis, which could prove to be a major mood dampener for the team. With most of their opposition teams having strong spinners, their batting could be vulnerable.
Reaching the semi-finals three times in 1992, 1999 and 2007 has been South Africa's best performances in World Cup so far. Will it change this time?
