England mark out South Africa’s biggest weapons

London: England skipper Alastair Cook is ready to take on South African pace ace Dale Steyn, if he plays, and also has clear plans for the opposition’s batting stalwart Hashim Amla.

“Two of their players — Amla and Steyn — one is leader of the batters and the other leader of the bowlers. He [Steyn] obviously is a good bowler. It’s a bit like how we played [Lasith] Malinga, how we will play Steyn. It’s crucial to building a big total. Obviously with the new ball, the threat of striking early against us is obviously a danger and it’s how we play him, and we played him quite well in the past and we have to do that again tomorrow.”

Talking about Amla, Cook said: “He is a massive player for them. We’ve seen that first-hand last year here in the one-dayers and the Test matches here. He’s a dangerman for them but, if we can strike early, obviously with two new balls, it gives us an opportunity to do that. Our bowlers have bowled extremely well in those first 10 overs in this Champions Trophy so far and we’re going to do that this time against South Africa. All players are vulnerable early, we have to try and strike early, and if he gets in it’s a danger for us.”

Cook then went on to remind that a semi-final contest is not about two top players. “It’s not just about those two players, though, and it’s important that we don’t just concentrate on those. It’s whichever side delivers under the pressure, and you need two men to produce Man of the Match performances to win.”

Though South African players have often ‘choked’ on big occasions, Cook is not willing to take them for granted. “It’s another day tomorrow, it’s another game, and what’s gone on in the past has no relevance to tomorrow. It’s whichever side handles the pressure well tomorrow, and people in that side and in your own side must put your hand up and deliver, and that’s what you have to do in these big games.”

Cook feels that the chance to make it to the final should be fully utilised. “It’s a massive game for both sides. We have got the opportunity to go into the final of an ICC competition, and it’s such an exciting place for a player to be. We’ve almost played knockout cricket throughout this Champions Trophy, but this is obviously one step towards the final, and we’ve come here to try and win the tournament. It’s an amazing opportunity we’ve got tomorrow, and I think both sides will be excited.”

When asked about the injured Graeme Swann’s chances of playing in the match, Cook said: “We haven’t ruled him out totally for this game. We’re going to have to see how he trains today and see how he pulls up tomorrow. There’s one thing for certain, he won’t be risked.”