Thinking of the losing sides in the first round of the Super Eights, reminded me of a phrase that comes from all those old Wild West spaghetti westerns I used to watch in my teenage years “Last chance at the OK Saloon”. For India, South Africa, New Zealand and England the pressure now is really on.
By this time either England or New Zealand will have taken care of one another and then tonight it will be the turn of India and South Africa.
South Africa keep denying they have problems with these World Cup limited over tournaments but the problems just keep occurring.
How did they let Pakistan win the other night? With Pakistan at 7 for 76 and still requiring another 50 runs in a low scoring match, they had to shut the door. Now they are facing a confident and cocky Australia, in sudden death.
As powerful as the South African batting may appear, over the years it has not performed to its potential in these big World Cup matches.
Now that they are the number 1 Test team and still contending that there are no more wobbles in the wardrobe, their batting has to stand up and perform in this match.
Looking at the South African batting order from the last game, they cannot afford to have AB De Villiers, arguably their best batter at 6.
He must be promoted. Levi, the hitter, along with Amla at the top, Kallis, De Villiers and Duminy should be meat of the order. With their bowling, Steyn is the key and the quality of spin from Peterson, Botha and Duminy will be important.
The Australians batting is built around their 2 openers, Watson and Warner and Hussey at number 4.
Their bowling around their two new young quicks in Starc and Cummins and the spin comes from the old man of the tournament, the admirable Brad Hogg.
The key to beating Australia will be in the first 10 overs of the game. If they bat, get Watson and Warner early. If they bowl, get into Starc — he’s vulnerable when attacked.
One of the reasons that Australia stays competitive year in year out is that they are good at not complicating cricket. Pick your best eleven, then pick your Captain.