South Africa is yet another team waiting to win the world cup. 2019 is one more edition of the world cup, they would hope to win. The Proteas are neck-on-neck with New Zealand as far as the world cup is concerned. The closer they came to win a trophy was in 2015 edition. They lost a semifinal that year to New Zealand in a heartbreaking contest. However, the best they played in the world cup was the 1999 edition. SA was nearly sure to win the cup, except for the choke at the very last moment in the semifinal.
Familiar Team
Nearly 50% of the team members of the South Africa squad have played the 2015 edition. Markram, Rabada, Ngidi, and Phehlukwayo are the new faces. So, the team is really balanced as far as experience and youth are concerned, which should give them the edge.
Team Balance
Batting
In Amla, De Kock and captain Du Plessis, top order is quite formidable. The major concern is Amla’s consistency and a dry run patch that he has gone through in last year or so. However, van der Dussen, Miller and Duminy does not inspire the confidence of a strong middle order. van der Dussen is inexperienced; Miller and Duminy lack consistency. Phehlukwayo isn’t a matchwinning all-rounder with the bat at least, so Proteas will rely on Morris for that role. Unfortunately, last three can barely hold a bat unlike England’s last three.
Bowling
Proteas are as good as any best team in the world, as far as bowling is concerned. In Rabada, Ngidi, and Steyn, they have the world’s best pace bowling attack. All three can consistently hit 140 and above and have uncanny ability to pick up the wickets at will. Tahir is in the form of his life at 40 years of age and can provide at least two scalps per match. Phehlukwayo and Morris – if they both play together – are both very good bowlers of swing and seam conditions of England.
Keep away “C” tag
South Africa has carried the tag of “chokers” in every ICC tournament. They have that uncanny ability to lose the games from strong positions, and 1999 semifinal is one big tale of the subject. The mental aspect of the game is the best possible formula for any South African side playing in the world cup. They must play a relaxed cricket, and back themselves to come out of any situation to keep away the “C” tag. They have all the skills in the world to play international quality cricket, but for the habit of choking, no one has given them a percentage to qualify for semi-finals.
Fans around the world would be happy if South Africa can win the cricket’s championship in world cup 2019.
