Sunday Times
TELFORD VICE, Cape Town
No Australia. No England. No Sri Lanka. No New Zealand. SA have been handed a doddle of a draw. But, as South Africans know only too painfully, the World Cup does strange things to their team. Here’s how their opponents this time stack up.
SA v Zimbabwe - Seddon Park, Hamilton
Sunday, February 15, 3am
Yes, Zimbabwe have beaten SA in a World Cup - at Chelmsford in 1999. But that was in the last group match, when SA had one eye on the semi-finals and the other on the final. And that Zimbabwean team was studded with Grant and Andy Flower, Alistair Campbell and Heath Streak. Spot the difference this time, and chalk up two points for AB de Villiers’ team.
SA v India - Melbourne Cricket Ground
Sunday, February 22, 5.30am
Played three, won three. That’s SA’s record against the Indians at the World Cup. But that won’t take the edge off this encounter as SA’s biggest of the group stage. India no longer have Sachin Tendulkar and Gary Kirsten. But they do have MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. And they have the swagger that comes with having been there, done that in 2011. They will arrive at the MCG expecting to win; just like they did in Adelaide in 1992, Hove in 1999, and Nagpur in 2011. This time, the distinctly ordinary flavour of their attack should give SA the edge.
SA v West Indies - Sydney Cricket Ground
Friday, February 27, 5.30am
SA have won one more World Cup match than they have lost against the Windies, but their two defeats stick out like Andy Caddick’s ears. Brian Lara would have taken a hundred off any attack he faced that day in Karachi in 1996. Chalk that one up to bad luck. But, at Newlands in 2003, SA’s clumsy stumble against the Caribbean crew in the opening match of the tournament proved a harbinger of ignominy. This summer, SA showed the West Indians who’s boss, and they should do so again. But, from Chris Gayle to Andre Russell to Darren Sammy, this lot can play if they feel like it.
SA v Ireland - Manuka Oval, Canberra
Tuesday, March 3, 5.30am
Happily, SA are not England: the Irish have no beef with them. So a repeat of Kevin O’Brien’s wonderful century against the English in Bangalore in 2011 is unlikely. Neither is anything except a SA win.
SA v Pakistan - Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday, March 7, 3am
SA have won seven of their last 10 ODIs against Pakistan. Will that make them breathe more easily about this fixture? No. Beatable, but dangerous.
SA v UAE - Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Thursday, March 12, 3am
These are the Sultans of Sink. As in without trace. Two points. Thanks for coming.
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