South Africa has always been a champion side after they have made an entry to International cricket i.e post Apartheid era. But they have nothing to show for it apart from their win in the 1998 ICC Knock out tournament, now called the Champions trophy. They have always started the tournament as favourites and have started with bang. But when it came to the crunch matches, they just choked. They were the only team in the 2011 edition of the 50 over World Cup to defeat India, enough to explain the quality of their side. The reason for their dismal performance in the multi national ICC events is unexplainable and has definetely nothing to take with the quality of talent in the players and the coaching staffs. However , they were unlucky in the 1992 World Cup and suffered at the hands of Duckworth- Lewis, but apart from that they have no excuses for the rest of their campaign in such big events.
Coming into this World Cup, they have all in them for what it takes to change the history. Their batting is led by the Mr 360, A B Devilliers and has the mixture of both youth and experience. Quinton deKock would live to stamp his authority in the tournament and prove himself in the turning tracks against the best in the business. Though, he has a century in the UAE against Pakistan and 1 in the Champions league, but both of them were not typical sub continental tracks. Amla and du Plesis will provide solidiy to the order and Devilliers can be expected to light up the Bangladesh with some of his trademark shots. Miller ,the killer will be seen finishing the matches with some neat lusty blows as he says’ when in arc , it’s out of the park’.
Coming to the all rounders , they have the likes of Albie Morkel and Duminy. Duminy has impressed one and all with his improve bowling while Morkel comes in very handy lower down the order. But their main job will be bowling and batting respectively . As a fielding unit, they are arguably the best unit and watch out for Devilliers , after he has been lightened from the burden of captaincy and wicket keeping
The bowling unit will be led by Steyn and Morkel and initial break throughs should be a common sight in matches against South Africa. The guy to watch out for will be Beuran Hendricks,the 23 old has had an impressive run in the domestic tournaments and has already earned an IPL contract from Mumbai Indians.Adding to it, Albie Morkel and Duminy will be expected to contribute few overs.Parnell and Tsotsobe will be fighting for a spot and it will all depend on the composition South Africa goes for. The only missing link is the absence of a good attacking spinner. Tahir . on his day can be very handy but is somehow very inconsistent and gives too many bad balls. Aaron Phangiso is more a sort of containing spinner and looks to keep it tight rather than going for wickets, but is expected to get the knod ahead of Tahir.
Overall, this team is very balanced side and good enough to be mentioned into the history books for good reasons. After South African Under19 side recently won the World Cup title, it must have given the senior side enough confidence to forget about the chokers tag.Will they choke or not, only time will tell but for time being be scared… be very scared from this side.
