ICC Champions Trophy Team Preview – SOUTH AFRICA

Two Things that South Africa are remembered for in major ICC Tournaments are the Thrilling 1999 World Cup Semi-Finals against Australia being the first and the other one is Choking at crucial moments. Out of the 16 ICC majors South Africa won, they had won only 1 ICC Knockout Trophy in 1998. Apart from that, they have failed to reach the finals even once in the remaining 15 tournaments after dominating the initial phases. With the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 nearing, the million Dollar question in Every cricket aficionado’s mind is Can the Proteas break their jinx? Cricmatez.com brings you the Chances of the so-called Chokers in ICC Champions Trophy 2013.

South Africa History in the ICC Champions Trophy

ICC Champions Trophy Team Preview – SOUTH AFRICA

Squad

Batsmen

• Hashim Amla
• Alviro Peterson
• Faf Du Plessis
• David Miller
• Farhan Behardien
• JP Duminy
• Colin Ingram

Wicket-Keepers

• AB de Villiers (captain)

All-Rounders

• Ryan McLaren
• Robin Peterson

Bowlers

• Dale Steyn
• Morne Morkel
• Rory Klienveldt
• Lonwabo Tsotsobe
• Aaron Phangiso

Strengths

• World’s best new ball bowlers Steyn and Morkel are available for the whole tournament.
• Presence of ever reliable batsman Hashim Amla.
• They have the Best finisher at present – AB de Villiers.
• Going into the tournament as favourites.
• Solid Middle Order with the likes of de Villiers, Du Plessis, Miller and JP Duminy.
• They have one of the best bowling attack in the tournament.
• They are a good fielding unit.

Weakness

• They have been the traditional CHOKERS in world cricket. They have the habit of ruling the tournament in initial stages and flopping towards the end.
• Faf Du Plessis and JP Duminy lack match practice and were returning from injuries.
• Over dependence on AB de Villiers, Amla and Steyn.

ICC Champions Trophy Team Preview – SOUTH AFRICA

X-Factor

There used to be a cliché which is best suited for the fast bowlers. Yes that cliché is “FAST BOWLERS HUNT IN PAIRS”. A fast bowler cannot excel without the help he gets from his fellow speedster. At Present this perfectly suits the Deadly Duo of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. They can dominate the batsmen irrespective of the conditions. With the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 taking place in Seamer-friendly conditions, this pair could be Lethal. South Africa’s chances in the tournament depends on how good they bowl.

Watch Out For

David Miller has been one of the finds of IPL 6. He has played for South Africa in the past and didn’t make an impact for his country. With a strong show in IPL, Miller is expected to carry on his form to the ICC Champion Trophy. He can be very dangerous in Bating Power play. He is one of the players to watch out for in ICC Champions Trophy. This is the right chance for him to prove his worth for the national team.

What comes to your mind after hearing this name – Abraham Benjamin de Villiers? The unorthodox shots he plays? A wicket keeper who is perfectly at ease donning pads and gloves? A good finisher? A fielder who can come up with some stunning catches? Yes, all these things are the attributes of this Entertaining Cricketer. He is a player who can win games single-handedly for his side. He can provide entertainment for the fans whenever he plays. And I am sure that a real cricket lover cant hate him just like that. All these things apart, the chances for South Africa in the Champions Trophy largely lies on the shoulders of de Villiers. He can score runs around the ground and field setting for him is a big worry for opposition captains.  He is in fine form in IPL and is expected to deliver goods for South Africa with both bat and gloves. In Champions Trophy, all the cricket fans around the World would want to see some mind-blowing shots from Amazing Breath-taking de Villiers.

Possible Playing XI

Hashim Amla, Alviro Peterson, Faf Du Plessis, AB De Villiers (c & w.k.), David Miller, JP Duminy/ Farhan Behardien, Robin Peterson, Rory Klienveldt, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Schedule

ICC Champions Trophy Warm-up Matches, 2013

Group Stages ( Group-B)