England’s nightmare three-wicket defeat to the fearless Irish in the cricket World Cup on Wednesday has thrown the race for quarter-final places from Group B wide open. If the British press are to be believed, then the Proteas will line up for a doddle against the English today (Sunday, March 6).
Torn apart by a rampant press for being unable to defend their score of 327 and succumbing to an Ireland team inspired by a 50-ball hundred from Kevin O’Brien, England must find a way to stem the flow of runs against South Africa.
The Proteas, on the other hand, are looking relaxed and confident, with key players performing well. Crucial man down the order JP Duminy was in fine form against the Netherlands, while spin ace Imran Tahir is hitting the high notes as well, and can’t seem to put a foot wrong with his controlled leg spin. Duminy, in the absence of big hitters like Albie Morkel and Mark Boucher, will be absolutely pivotal in South Africa’s quest for glory on the sub continent.
AB De Villiers, with hundreds in successive matches, has ticked all the boxes required and has come into form for South Africa at the perfect time.
Sport24 reports that England off-spinner Graeme Swann has urged his team-mates to hold their nerve.
“If we start panicking and thinking we’re the disgrace that half the people on Twitter thought we were on Wednesday night, there’s no point in us playing,” he said.
Strauss fury at Irish shambles
South Africa, with two wins from two matches, would be well advised to be wary of a wounded England outfit, which has performed well with the bat, and which could yet go far in the tournament, if it can get the balance and variation in its bowling attack right. – Ridge Correspondent.