Just hours after being presented with the International Cricket Council ODI Shield for being the world’s top one-day international team, the Proteas set off on Wednesday to take part in the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean.
”Receiving that shield was awesome,” said captain Graeme Smith. ”It means more than just the physical shield ‒- it’s a reward for two years of hard work and commitment by all the guys. They are all very proud of their achievement, and I am very proud of them.”
Smith said being ranked number one in the world is a sign of consistency over a period of time, and does not mean South Africa are a shoe-in to win the World Cup.
”We got the number-one ranking over a period of time, whereas the World Cup is an event, and anything can happen. There are about six countries that could either win it or prevent us winning it. But we have done all the preparation, and I can promise everyone that there will be 100% commitment from every member of the team.”
He said the disappointments of 1999, when South Africa tied with Australia in the semifinal, and 2003, when they failed to go past the first round, did not have a major impact on the team.
”We have discussed them and put them behind us,” he said. ”Most of the team were not involved in those disappointments, and we have developed our own character and determination. But it’s important to learn from those mistakes and make sure we don’t repeat them. Our first aim is to get to the semifinals, and then we’ll take it from there.”
Unifying factor
Smith said the Proteas are aware that the vast majority of South Africans are behind the team and wishing them well, and that a World Cup victory could be a unifying factor for the country.
”South Africa is a unique country and we can do much to help build the nation,” he said. ”We can feel the love and support from everyone, and we really appreciate it.”
The team were flying to Port of Spain in Trinidad aboard the scheduled South African Airways flight to Washington. However, instead of stopping in Dakar, Senegal, the flight was diverted to Port of Spain, where the Proteas were scheduled to disembark.
”This means a journey of about 13 hours instead of about 24,” explained Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola. ”This means they won’t have too much trouble with jet lag and can get stuck into the preparations right away.”
The Proteas will play two warm-up matches before the official opening of the World Cup on March 11. Their first two official matches are against Scotland and The Netherlands, with the vital match against Australia on March 24.
The top two teams from each group go into the Super 8 stage, which starts on March 27. — Sapa