Cricket World cup 2007: Review of Cricket Teams - South Africa

About South African Cricket

South African cricket team is one of the oldest cricket teams in the world. South African cricket has a history dating back from 1888. I was one of the most famous cricket team in the world of cricket which got banned for years due to the racism dominated politics and the arrest of Nelson Mandela. South African team went to dark after the ban from ICC which spanned for 21 years from 1970 to 1991. During this time South Africa was not participating in any international events but played a number of domestic games.

South Africa's First Tour in cricket

When there was a change in south African government which accepted blacks and released Nelson Mandela, the ban on South African cricket was lifted by ICC. India was the first team to recognize South Africa and called for a tour in cricket. South Africa accepted the first call and there was the historical tour after 21 years of cricket. This tour saw a real world class game in the field of cricket. India took over South Africa on 10th November 1991 in Eden garden Calcutta. The first south African team which came to India had SJ Cook, AC Hudson, KC Wessels, PN Kirsten, AP Kuiper, CEB Rice, RP Snell, BM McMillan, DJ Richardson, TG Shaw, AA Donald.

The first ODI and second ODI were won by India and third ODI was won by South Africa. It is not the win of India which made news; it is South African ability to show their skills for the first time with such a class which is not less than any team during that time.

Batting Ability of South African cricket

Batting is one of the specialty of South African Cricket, In most of the games south African batting fared a lot than other teams. It performed in all quarters of Batting Department. South African batting lineup mostly revolves around Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, Ashwell Prince, and Justin Kemp. Among these 5 players Gibbs and Kallis are the most dangerous players when they get settled in the game. Mark Boucher and kemp provides the initial boost for the team while scoring with their efficient batting.

South African cricket team is one of the team which has very deep batting lineup. Recently Shaun Pollock started to hit the ball on all sides of the ball and is becoming all rounder for South African cricket.

Bowling Ability of South Africa

Bowling department of South Africa is again a flawless department of South African cricket which is lead by Shaun Pollock. He is the most senior most player in the team who is backed by Makhaya Ntini in initial 15 overs. Precise bowling and varying length of ball provides South Africa a top edge against all other teams. Andre Nel and Jacques Kallis provide the middle over thrust in the bowling line up. Ashwell Prince and Nicky Boje come as utility players when South Africa needs to control the game to their favor.

Fielding Abilities of South Africa

When South Africa plays cricket, they set standards not only in batting but also in fielding, during 1992 to 2000, South African cricket had fielder who is well known for his fielding abilities. Johnty Rhodes, the Ace fielder who stops the ball and saves at least 40 runs for South Africa. The fielding of Rhodes gave a boost in controlling runs of opponent during the game. Current South African team lacks a fielder of such ability, but it is doing fairly well compared to other teams.

South Africa and cricket world cup

South Africa is considered as one of the cursed team in field of cricket. South Africa is a castle which cannot be broken easily in cricket but it doesnt have luck to enter into world cup finals to lift the cup. South Africa started its tour in world cup from 1992 in which South Africa entered into semi finals against England. It was the first match which was decided with the help of Rain rule. During 43rd over there was a heavy rain which crushed the dreams of South Africans. Before rain South Africa was in strong position, when rain got over, it was said that 23 runs need to win in one ball.

England won semi finals and went to finals against Pakistan which eventually lost. The same type of loss happened again during 1996 cricket world cup against Australia which saw the first ever match tie in world cup. Australia moved ahead to finals due to the fact that they finished higher in the table of super six. This world cup also witnessed a thrilling end for South Africa. South Africa mostly won all matches in world cup except the semis. Some cricket ethos says that it is the curse of blacks who was suffered due to whites of South Africa.

Records of South Africa

South Africa is one of the team which has man of the match in fielding department. Recently they threatened Australia in a match which saw a record broken within 300 minutes of play. During 2005-06 in Johannesburg, it was a high fewer match against Australia and South Africa in which Australia scored 434 for 4 which was the highest ever scored by any cricketing teams. On a reply South Africa chased the mammoth well and completed the game for 438 for 9. This was a record which was made in just 300 minutes of game and this is the highest score by any team and also highest runs scored during chasing and won the game.

South Africa and Cricket World Cup 2007

South Africa has completed as probable for the semis of cricket world cup 2007. The preparation of team started with a series against India and Pakistan in South Africa which was won by South Africa itself. South African cricket board selected a probables of 30 from which the squad for cricket world cup 2007 will be announced soon.

Graeme Smith
Herschelle Gibbs
Jacques Kallis
AB de Villiers
Justin Kemp
Ashwell Prince
Jacques Rudolph
Boeta Dippenaar
Loots Bosman
Johan Botha
Mark Boucher
Shaun Pollock
JP Duminy
Andrew Hall
Paul Harris
Garnett Kruger
Albie Morkel
Andre Nel
Makhaya Ntini
Charl Langeveldt
Roger Telemachus
Dale Steyn
Justin Ontong
Robin Peterson
Alviro Petersen
Vernon Philander
Alfonso Thomas
Thandi Tshabalala
Johannes van der Wath
Morne van Wyk

The probable looks promising with a mixture of Experience and young bloods into its vein. Most of the players in the probable were tested against two major teams which are in for cricket World cup 2007.

South Africa placed against Australia, The Netherlands and Scotland. It will be a cruise in butter for South Africa to enter into super eights. From super eight it will be a testifying match for South Africa since all best performing teams will enter the league of eights. Cricket fans are expecting revenge from Australia which got trashed even after setting a high score in international cricket. It will be a wonderful match like India Pakistan on world cup.

All cricket fans of South Africa has a question in their hearts. Will the curse of semi finals will repeat again? It's worth to wait and watch. Will South Africa win cricket world cup 2007?

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Monday, February 12, 2007