South Africa keen to shun 'chokers' tag vs. Australia
Apr 24, 2007 - 7:26:17 PM
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Reserve umpire: Mark Benson -
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By IANS,
[RxPG] Gros Islet -, April 24 - Australia and South Africa will play their second World Cup semi-final in eight years here Wednesday, but the onus will be on the Proteas to prove that they are no more chokers.
South Africa, tagged 'chokers' for failing in crucial matches, have never progressed beyond the semi-finals in any international tournament since returning to international cricket in 1991 after dismantling of apartheid. Graeme Smith's side will attempt to shun the unwanted tag Wednesday.
Ricky Ponting's Australia, on the other hand, will try to win the semi-final at the Beausejour Stadium and take a crack at an unprecedented third successive World Cup title Saturday - their fourth overall.
Australia, which won the title in 1987, 1999 and 2003, have won their all nine matches in this tournament and have looked the best side this far.
Australia and South Africa had last met in the semi-finals in the 1999 tournament in England. That thrilling match was tied off the last ball when the last South Africa batsman was run out and Australia progressed to the final on a tiebreaker.
The defeat in a way confirmed South Africa as the 'chokers'. But Smith seems defiant and determined to win this time around.
'What has happened before means nothing,' he said ahead of Wednesday's match.
'We hope to win and go on to a World Cup final.'
Australia will have a slight psychological edge as they beat the Proteas by 83 runs in a group match - their only encounter so far in this World Cup.
But in this version of the game, the day's form is more important than the result of the previous day. Still, South Africa would like to look at their nine-wicket win over England in a second-round match last week for motivation and confidence.
Jacques Kallis - and Smith - have been South Africa's most consistent batsmen in the 16-nation tournament. Even A.B. de Villiers - and Herschelle Gibbs - have not done badly either with the bat.
These batsmen will be expected to fire once again against the world's best team if they are to progress to their maiden final.
Among the bowlers, Andrew Hall - and Charl Langeveldt - have been the most successful South African wicket takers.
Opener Matthew Hayden -, Ponting -, Michael Clarke - and Adam Gilchrist - have carried Australia's batting on their shoulders.
Hayden, particularly, is in a sublime form and has cracked three centuries and one half-century so far. He is on the verge of breaking a few records.
Old warhorse Glenn McGrath, the accurate fast bowler, has been the pick of the Australian bowlers with 22 wickets. He is closely followed by Brad Hogg and Shaun Tait, who have 19 wickets apiece, while Nathan Bracken has chipped in with 14 scalps.
Teams:
Australia: Ricky Ponting -, Adam Gilchrist -, Nathan Bracken, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait and Shane Watson
South Africa: Graeme Smith -, Jacques Kallis, Loots Bosman, Mark Boucher -, A.B. de Villiers, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince and Roger Telemachus
Umpires: Steve Bucknor - and Aleem Dar -
TV umpire: Billy Bowden -
Reserve umpire: Mark Benson -
Match referee: Jeff Crowe -
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