OWN CORRESPONDENT, London | Tuesday 9.00am.
SOUTH Africa’s cricket team flew into London on Monday to news they were favourites to win the World Cup.
But captain Hansie Cronje was cautious about the 11-4 odds quoted in London, which placed them just above Australia at 3-1.
”Our team is not going to play any better or worse because people think we’re better than some other sides,” he told reporters at London’s Heathrow airport.
”We’ve got to go out there and play some good cricket.”
He warned against writing off any of the other contenders, despite the odds.
”It’s going to be interesting because there are five or six teams which could be there right at the end.
”Sides like Pakistan have hit form at the right time and Australia have been doing well.”
Cronje said he was keeping a close eye on the hosts.
”England at home will always be a side to be reckoned with. They haven’t had a great record over the past 12 months but certainly at home they can play.”
South Africa’s coach Bob Woolmer, who is leaving the job at the end of the tournament, would not be drawn on rumours he may take up the job of England coach when David Lloyd stands down later this year.
”I will make a decision on my future at the end of the World Cup. I owe it to South Africa and the team I’ve been with for five years to concentrate totally on the World Cup.”
Underdogs New Zealand, who arrived on the same flight, were quite content to be languishing at 14-1 in the odds.
Captain Stephen Fleming said South Africa were a very good all-round side, but dodged answering the question of whether they deserved to be favourites.
”They have so many options that when you play them it’s very hard to come up with a game plan against them because they change so frequently,” he said. – Reuters