Wednesday, February 23, 2011
South Africa, West Indies set for cricket clash
South Africa will bank on their recent form and fitness of key player Jacques Kallis when they take on an upredictable West Indies in their opening World Cup clash.
The South Africans enter this Group B match on the back of 11 consecutive one-day wins against Ottis Gibson's side and a 3-2 series victory over India at home.
With Kallis declaring himself fully fit and ready to resume his all-round duties, South Africa appear a formidable side.
But what Grame Smith's men should avoid is trying too hard to prove that they have left behind the baggage of their past and were capable of delivering the goods in crunch situations.
The South Africans have perplexed their fans, showing an ability to play top-notch cricket but still leaving them waiting for a first World Cup.
South Africa's failure to qualify for the second round at home in 2003 cost Shaun Pollock the captaincy and his successor, Smith, led a largely lacklustre campaign in the West Indies in 2007.
Although South Africa reached the semi-finals for the third time, it was no surprise when they were beaten by a strong Australian team.
"A lot is made in the media about the choker thing," said Kallis, playing his fifth World Cup.
"We don't even think about it. I think the media uses this tag far too often, in fact every time the team loses a match.
"They should go and look up the meaning of chokers in the dictionary first. This tag does not haunt us. Eleven of our 15 players will be playing their first World Cup so it's not something we are even thinking about."
The Proteas also boast a surprise weapon in Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who gave a good account of himself in the practice matches.
The West Indies will have their work cut out against their in-form opponents brimming with quality batsmen and bowlers.
With two of their first-choice players ruled out due to injuries, the Caribbean side will look to the experienced members of the squad to inspire them to an upset win.
If the attacking Chris Gayle can give the side a flying start, it will make the job of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan down the order a lot easier.
"The key is to get a good start," said Gayle. "We are playing one of the favourites in South Africa and they are a top quality side in both batting and bowling.
"We have to be on top of our game and capitalise on opportunities. They are beatable."
Gayle's confidence likely stems from West Indies' record against South Africa on the big stage. The West Indies shocked South Africa in the 1996 World Cup quarter-finals and have done so twice in the Champions Trophy.
The day-night match will be played at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground, hosting its first international after being banned in 2009 for producing a dangerous pitch during an India-Sri Lanka one-dayer.
The South Africans enter this Group B match on the back of 11 consecutive one-day wins against Ottis Gibson's side and a 3-2 series victory over India at home.
With Kallis declaring himself fully fit and ready to resume his all-round duties, South Africa appear a formidable side.
But what Grame Smith's men should avoid is trying too hard to prove that they have left behind the baggage of their past and were capable of delivering the goods in crunch situations.
The South Africans have perplexed their fans, showing an ability to play top-notch cricket but still leaving them waiting for a first World Cup.
South Africa's failure to qualify for the second round at home in 2003 cost Shaun Pollock the captaincy and his successor, Smith, led a largely lacklustre campaign in the West Indies in 2007.
Although South Africa reached the semi-finals for the third time, it was no surprise when they were beaten by a strong Australian team.
"A lot is made in the media about the choker thing," said Kallis, playing his fifth World Cup.
"We don't even think about it. I think the media uses this tag far too often, in fact every time the team loses a match.
"They should go and look up the meaning of chokers in the dictionary first. This tag does not haunt us. Eleven of our 15 players will be playing their first World Cup so it's not something we are even thinking about."
The Proteas also boast a surprise weapon in Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who gave a good account of himself in the practice matches.
The West Indies will have their work cut out against their in-form opponents brimming with quality batsmen and bowlers.
With two of their first-choice players ruled out due to injuries, the Caribbean side will look to the experienced members of the squad to inspire them to an upset win.
If the attacking Chris Gayle can give the side a flying start, it will make the job of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan down the order a lot easier.
"The key is to get a good start," said Gayle. "We are playing one of the favourites in South Africa and they are a top quality side in both batting and bowling.
"We have to be on top of our game and capitalise on opportunities. They are beatable."
Gayle's confidence likely stems from West Indies' record against South Africa on the big stage. The West Indies shocked South Africa in the 1996 World Cup quarter-finals and have done so twice in the Champions Trophy.
The day-night match will be played at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground, hosting its first international after being banned in 2009 for producing a dangerous pitch during an India-Sri Lanka one-dayer.
Kotla ground faces tough World Cup test
New Delhi's historic Feroz Shah Kotla ground will come under scrutiny when it hosts a high-profile World Cup match between South Africa and the West Indies after an international ban.
The ground was banned from hosting international matches in December 2009 when a one day international between India and Sri Lanka was abandoned after just 23.3 overs due to the "dangerous" nature of the playing surface.
It has hosted Indian Premier League matches since but with no World Cup warm-up game at the stadium, it is unclear how the pitch will behave.
Star South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis said he was not losing sleep over the track for their opening Group B encounter at the stadium, named after the 14th-century Mughal emperor of Delhi, Feroz Shah Tughlaq.
"I haven't had a look at the wicket. I have seen it during the IPL and it wasn't too bad.
"Probably it's not going to be a 300-350 wicket. We do have the balance in the team that can play on any type of wicket."
Local cricket officials appeared determined to avoid a repeat of the 2009 embarrassment and have been going the extra mile to ensure the track comes up to scratch.
"I am not overly concerned but I will be able to sleep peacefully only after Thursday," said Delhi and District Cricket Association vice-president Chetan Chauhan.
"We did not lose (out) much on cricket, but the stigma of having been banned was tough to come to terms with. We have worked hard on the wicket and I am sure we will pull it off without any glitches," added the former India Test opener.
International Cricket Council pitch consultant Andy Atkinson has also been in New Delhi since last Friday.
"Yeah, the pitch preparation is my responsibility," Atkinson told the Mail Today newspaper.
"I am sure it will behave well this time. I am here till February 28 to see the second match (between the West Indies and Holland) through."
Atkinson's efforts took a slight knock with unseasonal rains in New Delhi but he is pleased to see the sun shining again.
"The sun is out but it's like lacking the warmth. I wish it shines brightly because it is winter and the grass doesn't grow here in winter."
The ground was banned from hosting international matches in December 2009 when a one day international between India and Sri Lanka was abandoned after just 23.3 overs due to the "dangerous" nature of the playing surface.
It has hosted Indian Premier League matches since but with no World Cup warm-up game at the stadium, it is unclear how the pitch will behave.
Star South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis said he was not losing sleep over the track for their opening Group B encounter at the stadium, named after the 14th-century Mughal emperor of Delhi, Feroz Shah Tughlaq.
"I haven't had a look at the wicket. I have seen it during the IPL and it wasn't too bad.
"Probably it's not going to be a 300-350 wicket. We do have the balance in the team that can play on any type of wicket."
Local cricket officials appeared determined to avoid a repeat of the 2009 embarrassment and have been going the extra mile to ensure the track comes up to scratch.
"I am not overly concerned but I will be able to sleep peacefully only after Thursday," said Delhi and District Cricket Association vice-president Chetan Chauhan.
"We did not lose (out) much on cricket, but the stigma of having been banned was tough to come to terms with. We have worked hard on the wicket and I am sure we will pull it off without any glitches," added the former India Test opener.
International Cricket Council pitch consultant Andy Atkinson has also been in New Delhi since last Friday.
"Yeah, the pitch preparation is my responsibility," Atkinson told the Mail Today newspaper.
"I am sure it will behave well this time. I am here till February 28 to see the second match (between the West Indies and Holland) through."
Atkinson's efforts took a slight knock with unseasonal rains in New Delhi but he is pleased to see the sun shining again.
"The sun is out but it's like lacking the warmth. I wish it shines brightly because it is winter and the grass doesn't grow here in winter."
Ponting criticized for breaking TV
Australia skipper Ricky Ponting apologised for smashing an LCD screen in the team's dressing room following his run out in the ICC World Cup 2011 opener against Zimbabwe, but his behaviour came under severe criticism from former cricketers.
The incident took place immediately after Ponting was run out by a direct hit from the deep by Zimbabwe's Chris Mpofu in the Group A clash between the two teams.
An agitated Ponting was seen talking angrily to himself as he walked back to the dressing room and, in a state of fury, threw his gear, which accidentally hit the LCD monitor.
Ponting, Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) officials claimed, immediately apologised and requested the authorities for a replacement, said the Australian team's media manager Lachy Paterson.
While Ponting is unlikely to face any disciplinary action if an ICC source is to be believed, his action didn't go down well with the cricketing fraternity.
"The dressing room is supposed to be sacrosanct so I am a little bit disappointed. That sort of behaviour ... you don't want to hear about during a World Cup. You want to hear about Ricky Ponting making a 100, not messing up in the dressing room," said South Africa great Barry Richards.
"But one thing is obvious that there is a lot of pressure on him to try and win the World Cup," added Richards.
Former India cricketer Arun Lal was scathing in his criticism of Ponting.
"It's awful. If you are disappointed, there is no reason to turn violent. You are disappointed, you made a mistake, an error of judgement. Everybody is disappointed but how does that mean that you come and throw your kit."
"It's too childish, grow up, for God's sake. You are playing the World Cup, you are an idol for the next generation," said Lal.
"It's unfortunate, it's a bit of an accident. I have played with a lot of international cricketers, there is frustration but, as Barry said, the dressing room is sacrosanct," said former England batsman Graeme Hick.
This is not the first time an Australian cricketer has been involved in breaching the ICC's code of conduct in the dressing room.
Former opener Matthew Hayden was fined and severely reprimanded after an ugly incident in which he was charged with breaking the glass panel in the dressing room following an lbw dismissal in the fifth Ashes Test against England at the SCG in 2003.
Thanks to his previously clean record, Hayden was let off with a fine of 20 per cent of his match fee.
The incident took place immediately after Ponting was run out by a direct hit from the deep by Zimbabwe's Chris Mpofu in the Group A clash between the two teams.
An agitated Ponting was seen talking angrily to himself as he walked back to the dressing room and, in a state of fury, threw his gear, which accidentally hit the LCD monitor.
Ponting, Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) officials claimed, immediately apologised and requested the authorities for a replacement, said the Australian team's media manager Lachy Paterson.
While Ponting is unlikely to face any disciplinary action if an ICC source is to be believed, his action didn't go down well with the cricketing fraternity.
"The dressing room is supposed to be sacrosanct so I am a little bit disappointed. That sort of behaviour ... you don't want to hear about during a World Cup. You want to hear about Ricky Ponting making a 100, not messing up in the dressing room," said South Africa great Barry Richards.
"But one thing is obvious that there is a lot of pressure on him to try and win the World Cup," added Richards.
Former India cricketer Arun Lal was scathing in his criticism of Ponting.
"It's awful. If you are disappointed, there is no reason to turn violent. You are disappointed, you made a mistake, an error of judgement. Everybody is disappointed but how does that mean that you come and throw your kit."
"It's too childish, grow up, for God's sake. You are playing the World Cup, you are an idol for the next generation," said Lal.
"It's unfortunate, it's a bit of an accident. I have played with a lot of international cricketers, there is frustration but, as Barry said, the dressing room is sacrosanct," said former England batsman Graeme Hick.
This is not the first time an Australian cricketer has been involved in breaching the ICC's code of conduct in the dressing room.
Former opener Matthew Hayden was fined and severely reprimanded after an ugly incident in which he was charged with breaking the glass panel in the dressing room following an lbw dismissal in the fifth Ashes Test against England at the SCG in 2003.
Thanks to his previously clean record, Hayden was let off with a fine of 20 per cent of his match fee.
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