2007 Cricket World Cup Squad Preview - South Africa
| 6
|
by user Alex Holowczak
| 2007 Cricket World Cup | |
| Australia | |
| Bangladesh | |
| Bermuda | |
| Canada | |
| England | |
| India | |
| Ireland | |
| Kenya | |
| Netherlands | |
| New Zealand | |
| Pakistan | |
| Scotland | |
| South Africa | |
| Sri Lanka | |
| West Indies | |
| Zimbabwe | |
This will be the fifth World Cup contested by the Proteas since apartheid. The South Africans hosted the competition in 2003, but were eliminated in dramatic style. It rained before the end of their final group game. They needed to win it to go through, but unfortunately, due to the rain, the mathematical formula – Duckworth/Lewis Method – meant that the game was only a draw, eliminating them. They are undoubtedly the best team to never win the trophy.
This time around they are drawn in a tough group, along with defending World Champions Australia, and two of the stronger associate nations, Scotland and the Netherlands. They should advance safely to the Super Eight, but their match against Australia will rekindle memories of their two matches in a week in the 1999 World Cup, where they tied the Semi Final, but went out because Australia finished ahead of them in the Super Six (as it was then).
Graeme Smith
Type: Batsman (opener), Captain
Graeme Smith is probably the finest opener in the world. He was captain of South Africa aged just 22 – just after the World Cup four years ago. He is an exciting batsman that is capable of a big innings at any time.
Loots Bosman
Type: Batsman (opener)
A surprise inclusion, Bosman is a slogger that is capable of firing quick runs at the top of the innings while the fielding restrictions are in place. Could be a dangerous player, but is very hit and miss.
Mark Boucher
Type: Batsman, Wicketkeeper
No cricketing statistician knows how many records Boucher holds with the gloves, such is his rise. And in cricket, these sort of things are followed closely. Boucher is the best gloveman in the world, and his batting is exciting and reliable. The wicketkeeper for South Africa for a decade now, the 30 year old is in his pomp, and should be a star of the World Cup.
AB de Villiers
Type: Batsman (opener), Wicketkeeper
At 23, de Villiers has played in a lot of places in the South African batting order. But he has been brilliant in every one of them as a batsman, and as a wicketkeeper, he is a worthy understudy to Boucher.
Herschelle Gibbs
Type: Batsman (opener)
Gibbs is a big stage player. He was the villain in 1999. It was his major break through with the bat, but his error in the field cost them. In the Super Six match between Australia and South Africa, he put down the then Australian captain by celebrating taking the catch too early. Australia went on to win, a result which put them ahead of South Africa in the Super Six, and when they met in the Semi Final three days later it was that technicality that eliminated them. Still, Gibbs is worthy of a place in the side for his batting alone.
Andrew Hall
Type: All Rounder
Hall rose to fame when he was shot during a mugging in 1998. Miraculously, the bullet lodged in his hand, causing no lasting damage. Hall was selected for South Africa after the 2003 Cricket World Cup, and has been a regular in the side ever since. He combines excellent accurate bowling with great late innings batting.
Jacques Kallis
Type: All Rounder
At 31, Kallis has been around for a decade already. He is one of the top International batsman, and although waning in ability, he is still a potent bowler. He is also a great fielder, and bats solidly rather than extravagantly. His performance could be key in this World Cup.
Justin Kemp
Type: All Rounder
Another of South Africa’s all rounders, Kemp is a better batsman than bowler, but he can contribute well to the bowling if needs be. After a disappointing start to his International career, Kemp has begun to blossom.
Charles Langeveldt
Type: Bowler
A useful seam bowler, Langeveldt is a late blooming cricketer that is capable of playing at the top level.
Andre Nel
Type: Bowler
Nel has become a strong addition to the South African side, and is a wonderful fast bowler. He is worthy of a place in the starting 11.
Makhaya Ntini
Type: Bowler
Ntini is the best bowler to left handers in the world, and is brilliant to right handers too. A true World Class performer, whom South Africa will rely on.
Robin Peterson
Type: All Rounder
A useful if not brilliant cricketer, Peterson provides the only real spin option in this South African squad. Yet to perform on the world stage.
Shaun Pollock
Type: All Rounder
Another South African all rounder, Pollock is one of the top cricketers in the world with the ball. He is a good late innings batsman too, and should feature heavily in the World Cup.
Ashwell Prince
Type: Batsman
Prince has developed into a top quality batsman over the last three years. Could play a big role in this tournament.
Roger Telemachus
Type: Bowler
A late comer to International cricket, Telemachus is a supremely good fast bowler. A few injuries have not helped, but he finally gets his chance. A useful late innings slogger too.
Strengths
- Lots of quality all rounders allow good depth to batting
- Boucher is the best keeping-wicketkeeper in the world
- The stars – Smith, Pollock, Kallis, Ntini are all iconic figures on the global stage
- Incredible depth to bowling – helped by the all rounders
- Supreme fast bowlers
- Good backup keeper
- Smith is a great captain
Weaknesses
- No quality spin option (left Paul Harris out of squad – should be in it for Peterson)
- Sometimes underperform
Verdict
There is no reason why South Africa cannot win the World Cup. They, India and Australia are the three favourites, and I can see there being another South Africa v Australia at some point in the knockout stage. The side has the stars, the depth, the ability – this is South Africa’s best chance to win the World Cup, in arguably their strongest side since apartheid. It would be a great story for Andrew Hall in particular. Semi Finals should be a shoe in – their seam attack makes up for their lack of spinning talent.
