South Africa are currently touring the New Zealand for a Test and the ODI series and since the World Cup 2015 will be held in Australia and the ‘˜Kiwiland’, AB de Villiers have already begun the preparations in full swing.
South Africa are currently touring the New Zealand for a Test and the ODI series and since the World Cup 2015 will be held in Australia and the ‘Kiwiland’, AB de Villiers have already begun the preparations in full swing.
The skipper top-scored with an unbeaten 89 as South Africa completed a six-wicket win over the hosts on Tuesday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The Proteas’ are favourites for the current series against New Zealand and with a good performance could earn them a ‘favourites’ tag come 2015 when the ICC Cricket World Cup kicks off. But over the years, South Africa have come closer to winning a major competition but have lost out on various reasons including miscalculations (Remember: 2003 World Cup).
But Graeme Smith is no longer the skipper here and the reins have been handed to AB de Villiers who is carrying a squad of youth and experience.
Even as the likes of Australia, India or Sri Lanka would compete for the numero uno spot; they have to be wary of the Proteas’ as these 5 reasons will tell you why they are the fiercest rivals for the coming tourney:
A broad minded skipper in de Villiers
South Africa have produced some great skippers over the years with the likes of Shaun Pollock, the late Hansie Cronje and recently retired Graeme Smith, who have taken South Africa to the heights of success. AB de Villiers has just set in and the batsman cum wicket-keeper is known to be bear attacking strategies and could be the key factor in taking the Proteas to World Cup glory.
Bowling paradise
Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel – this duo strikes fear in any opposition and especially give them the bouncy Aussie pitches or the grassy Kiwi conditions; South Africa’s pacers could go for the kill right from the word ‘go’. The power and pace of Steyn and Morkel is one of the many reasons why South Africa is one of the top contenders next year.
Middle-order is compact
The Proteas’ have some deadly batsmen in the middle-order with the likes of JP Duminy, David Miller and even Hashim Amla can slot in at number four. With some ‘heavy duty’ batting, South Africa could go bonkers in the Powerplay overs and make the opposition pay!
Hashim Amla effect
One of the finest batsman ever produced, Hashim Amla is South Africa’s most powerful weapon at the top. With over 96 ODIs played, Amla has amassed 4659 runs at an average of 54.17 that is too good for 50-over format. If Amla has the same effect what Sachin Tendulkar had on India last time round, may be the former could be holding the prized trophy!
A superb fielding unit
Oh, South Africa is just pure ‘poetry in motion’ when on field! They’re fielders are just ‘no nonsense’ characters and hardly give the run away. From the days of Jonty Rhodes uptill now, the Proteas could be a hard nut to crack when it comes to fielding.
