South Africa - WC 2011 Preview

Perennial chokers at grand stage, South Africa enter this tournament yet again as one of the favorites. A good bowling unit and an experienced top order should take them till semis atleast. Kallis, Smith, Steyn and spinners hold the key to Proteas’ success. Their lower middle order consisting of Faf and Ingram are low on experience.

However, this time around they have selected a variety of bowlers – right arm fast, bouncy, left armers, off spinners and leg spinners – so that should give them flexibility in terms of personnel. What they need big time is flexibility in approach and positive mindset. Do they have it in this squad or do they keep up their name as “Chokers” ?

Strategy
• Use 3 pacers (Steyn, Morkel, Kallis) and a bunch of spinners (Tahir, Botha, Duminy, Faf)
• Tsosobe can play instead of a spinner if the pitch is slightly fast or depending on the opposition
• Be positive against spinners and be flexible in approach

Missing Out
• Albie Morkel – his sub-continental experience, all-round skills and slog overs hitting would have been very useful

Strengths
• Amla has grown into a tremendous ODI opener
• Kallis, Duminy and AB are good allrounders
• Imran Tahir is of unknown quantity (he can be the next Ajantha Mendis atleast for this tournament)
• Best opening bowling combo in the world presently ; Steyn (Fast and Accurate) and Morkel (Fast and Bouncy)

Weaknesses
• Inability to play high quality spin
• Choking in pressure situations
• Too much rigidity in the way they play
• Faf and Ingram are inexperienced in the lower middle order

Dark Horse / X-Factor
• AB de Villiers
• Imran Tahir (if he plays)

My Take
• Semis

My Playing 11
• G Smith, H Amla, J Kallis, AB de Villers(wk), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, J Botha, D Steyn, M Morkel, Imran Tahir

Drinks
• W Parnell, L Tsotsobe, Robin Peterson, Morne van Wyk


PS: As always, any comments/feedback will be highly appreciated.