Sport | Cricket
Tough test for our young bowling attack
I have been looking forward to this one ever since the World Cup schedule was released.
- By Ricky Ponting, Gameplan
- Published: 23:37 May 3, 2009
I have been looking forward to this one ever since the World Cup schedule was released.
It promised to be a cracker of a game then, and it will live up to its billing because both teams go into the game after some solid performances in the tournament.
Moreover, I won't be surprised if this is a rehearsal to a later more critical encounter in the tournament.
South Africa are the number one ranked team in the world, but that is not something that is going to spur us on. We were not too excited about being at the top of the ranking, and our yardstick has always been our success percentage, and we have never bothered about the ranking - neither the individual rankings nor the team ones.
For us the main incentive will be the two points that are up for grabs in the game, because the team that loses immediately is under pressure to win almost all their games in the Super Eights.
It's been wonderful to see our batsmen continue the good form that they have exhibited right through the Australian summer.
The bowling has been affected by the absence of Brett Lee, and today's game will test our young bowling attack, since they will be coming up against some class batsmen.
The last 10-15 overs are proving to be quite critical in each game, with teams even achieving 10 an over.
South Africa have quality hitters at seven, eight and nine, namely Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock and Andrew Hall.
It will be quite an interesting face-off between McGrath and Co. and these batsmen.
Good form
That said, our batsmen are in such good form, that the pressure on the bowlers will be considerably less.
The spotlight on our behaviour has been relentless over the last couple of weeks, and it was nice to get a pat on the back from the great Sir Garfield Sobers.
I am proud of our team, and we have not been penalised any more than other sides in international cricket. We intend to play hard and display aggressive intent.
We have always been a highly popular team whenever we have travelled, be it to the subcontinent or to England, South Africa or anywhere else. As long as we are fair and sporting in our dealings on the cricket field, I don't think anyone has any reason to complain.
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