As a cricketing powerhouse, South Africa are not known for their slow bowling tradition. But, their World Cup squad comprises four specialist spinners - Johan Botha, Imran Tahir, Robin Peterson and Faf du Pleiss
As a cricketing powerhouse, South Africa are not known for their slow bowling tradition. But, their World Cup squad comprises four specialist spinners - Johan Botha, Imran Tahir, Robin Peterson and Faf du Pleiss. Besides, middle order bat JP Duminy could be handy with his part-time off-spin.
"It's very exciting to have so many options. When we play at home, the seamers get all the wickets, and we are expected to control the game. Here, we are going to look to be a lot more attacking. Also, we are all capable of bowling in the powerplay," vice-captain Botha said here yesterday.
Following their readmission into international sport, South Africa stormed into the qualifying stages of their first three World Cups.
In 1992, they were denied a spot in the final by a silly rain rule. Four years later, Hansie Cronje's team didn't drop a game until they ran into a Brian Lara special in the quarterfinals. In 1999, they looked set to take the title until nerves got to them in the famous tied semifinal against Steve Waugh's Invincibles at Edgbaston.
The Proteas failed to stamp their authority in the subsequent two editions. However, Botha said that his team, who open their campaign against the West Indies here on Thursday, are confident of lifting the trophy this time around.u00a0 "Not a lot of people have called us as favourites. Everyone's talking about Australia, India and Sri Lanka. I think that's going to work in our favour. Hopefully we can do the business," Botha said.
"In 2003 and 2007, we went into the tournament as favourites, which weighed the guys down a bit. This time the expectations even from people back home are relatively low. As a side, we know what we are capable of.
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The guys are confident of a strong show. If we get through to the quarterfinals, it's just about having three good games and the World Cup will be ours," he added.u00a0
Botha said that the 'chokers' tag that has haunted SA would be put to rest sooner than later. "There are 11 World Cup debutants in this squad. Sure, the past SA teams have choked. There's freshness in this squad, the youngsters have been asked to do whatever they think, and play freely. The management is supporting them thoroughly. Other teams have choked in the past too. It's unfair to point at us all the time," quipped Botha.
Asked if the format, similar to that of the 1996 edition which was held in the subcontinent as well, could work against his side, Botha said: "It's better this way because we can afford to have a few slip-ups in the league
stages."
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