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Sri Lanka v South Africa series schedule 2013
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed the schedule of Sri Lanka tour. It will be the first assignment for Russell Domingo as the head coach of South Africa team. Read More...South Africa vs Pakistan Preview
After the series level at 2-all, Pakistan now face South Africa in the final and deciding encounter of the series. The match will be played in Benoni. Read More...Faf du Plessis injured, out of last two ODIs
An injury in the back knocked Faf du Plessis out of the remaining two ODI matches against Pakistan along with the first four weeks of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Read More...- IPL spot fixing: Game-changing cops of Delhi Police who busted cricket scandals - Economic TimesOn April 7, 2000, the then Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police, KK Paul, announced that his men had proof that the captain of the South Africa cricket team, HansieCronje and three teammates, including opener Herschelle Gibbs, fixed matches in a series ...
- Match-Fixing Cases in Cricket - Wall Street Journal (blog)Cronje later confessed to accepting money from bookies in exchange for match information and asking some players to underperform. He was banned for life by the South Africa Cricket Board. He died in a plane crash in 2002. Other prominent South African ...
- South Africa Cricket Coach Gary Kirsten Won't Renew Contract - Bloomberg“I would like to thank Cricket South Africa for the confidence they showed in entrusting me with the fortunes of the national team,” Kirsten said. “It has been a huge privilege ...
- Cricket-South Africa can get rid of 'chokers' tag without Kallis - Reuters UKKallis was the subject of frequent derision in South Africa throughout his 321-game one-day international career, perceived by a critical public of playing at his own pace more than in the interests of the team. It has only been in recent years that ...
- CSA confirms Sri Lanka tour itinerary - ESPNcricinfo.comIn Australia & England, Test Cricket thrives will large numbers of spectators watching this great game. And the boards make quite a deal of money out of it as well. I understand the sub continent countries will rarely, if ever, experience the sight of ...
- ICC Champions Trophy 2013: India open campaign against South Africa - Cricket CountryIndia will open their campaign in the the last edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 with their Group B match against South Africa at Cardiff on June 6. The biennial tournament is being would wound up as the ICC is unable to slot it in the crowded ...
- Dale Steyn sure hosts South Africa will win Test series against India - NDTVDale Steyn admits Indian team is strong and that 'cricket is a funny game,' but says South African pitches combined with a team that loves to play at home will make things tough for the tourists. Press Trust of India | Last updated on Wednesday, 15 May ...
- Warning signs for SA cricket - Independent OnlineSuddenly, the Aussies are scrambling for match-winners, for gritty Test warriors who will restore pride in the Baggy Green. Cricket South Africa would do well to start introducing the next Kallis and Smith into the picture, so that they aren't caught ...
- Vote allegations show cricket's deep-set problems - The Island.lk (subscription)The recent disputed vote that resulted in an Indian candidate winning a place on one of the ICC's committees was likely just the catalyst that sparked the criticism and exposed long-held frustrations and deep divisions in the world game. (AP Photo/Ajit ...
- Hedley Verity: One of the greatest left-arm spinners in the game who died as ... - Cricket CountryOnly Johnny Briggs, with 15 wickets at Cape Town against a weak South African line-up of 1888-89, stands ahead of Verity's 14 scalps in a day of Test cricket. Even Hercule Poirot, the supposedly cricket-agnostic Belgian detective, was led to analyse ...
South Africa ICC World Cup 2011 Profile
The South African cricket team at The Oval in 2008
Strength
South Africa’s pace bowling department has been their biggest strength and that will be the one aspect that will test the other sides’ batting. In fact, given the current suspensions to Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif of Pakistan, it would only be fair to say that in Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Lonwobo Tsotsobe and Wayne Parnell are the best in the world. It will be their best aspect and how they turn out in the World Cup could go a long way in deciding how far the side goes.
Weakness
Overall, the side looks good in all departments of the game, batting, pace bowling and spinners. However, injuries have followed the side around a bit and that could take the sheen off their performances. Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith, Steyn, Parnell and some of the others have had the worst of times because of fitness woes and that will be a cause for concern for some of them.
Opportunity
South Africa has had a good run in recent times and their team seems to be gelling well ever since the clean-up exercise of late-2009. Fortunately for them, the side has also played well in the sub-continental conditions, once considered a bane for them as they would struggle against the spin threat. For now, their players have had a good opportunity to be a part of the IPL and the Champions League and have sharpened their skills on Indian tracks – this should allow them a good opportunity to win it.
Threat
When one uses the words South Africa and World Cup in the same line, there is a presence of a third word that is usually there – chokers. South Africa’s ability to lose from situations not too many have heard of is a legend in the World Cups and that shows in their records – since their return to international sports in 1991, they have yet to win a World Cup tournament. In fact, they haven’t even entered the final of any. If the side can overcome this threat, they may be in with a good chance to go all the way.
Previous Record
As aforementioned, South Africa have yet to enter the final of a World Cup after having played in five editions of the tournament. In 1992, they got to the semi-finals where a rather silly rain rule threw them off, in 1996, they won all their games to get to the quarter-finals where a resurgent West Indian side beat them in one game and they were shown the door. In 1999, the side was expected to go all the way when they tied a heart-breaking game against Australia and were knocked out while in 2003, they failed to read the rules right. Australia were a far superior side in the 2007 World Cup in the semi-finals.
Expected Captain
Graeme Smith should lead the team.
Players to look out for
Apart from Steyn, the batsman to watch out for will be Hashim Amla. Amla has been in the form of his life and his rather cool demeanour provides the side a very good foundation at the top of the innings.