Neil Manthorp
Depending on other results, Sunday’s match against Australia could be a case of “win or go home” for both sides. If South Africa have been successful against New Zealand, then Australia will need to win and Hansie Cronje’s side can play without pressure.
Either way, South Africa will face a better Australian one-day team than has existed for 12 years. In fact, no Australian team has even come close to matching the style and success of Allan Border’s World Cup- winning team of 1987 – until now?
Amazingly, given their dedication to bits- and-pieces players over the past 18 months, Steve Waugh is currently leading a line-up exclusively comprising specialists, except Tom Moody who would be a bits-and-pieces player on drier, harder pitches.
The tail starts with Shane Warne at number eight and the batting is hugely dependant on Mark Waugh at the top and Michael Bevan in the middle.
With Glenn McGrath in such resounding form it is virtually inconceivable that South Africa will not lose a couple of early wickets, which means the middle and lower order is likely to bat – not a bad thing if Justin Langer’s local newspaper column is anything to go by.
Currently playing for Middlesex after failing to make the Australian World Cup 15, Langer wrote: “My spies tell me that my colleagues are in great spirits and feeling really confident, although Lance Klusener is the kind of player to intimidate anyone and I just don’t know how they’re going to cope.”
Even if South Africa are guaranteed their place in the semi-finals before they meet Australia at Headingley, their motivation to win will not be affected. In fact, not only will they have the freedom to play completely uninhibited cricket, but they will be playing for two prizes almost better than victory alone. They could have the opportunity of knocking Australia out of the tournament and also, possibly, finishing top of the Super Six table and therefore having the opportunity to avenge their embarrassing first round defeat to Zimbabwe with a semi-final between first and fourth. Either way, the game will be a huge affair.