Group C - South Africa, India, Afghanistan

[ret]

This was a very good win for Ind considering how the early morning conditions and sluggish outfield hindered them in the first 10 overs or so. To counter those factors, someone had to play a binder, which was what Raina did!

And then they had to come out and bowl well too, which is again what they did for most parts. They never allowed SA to cut loose and it was more like how close SA would get to India's total than will they over come it. SA did well in the last few overs to give themselves an outside chance though but as I said it was usually too much work to do

As for the tactics, we got to see both Smith and Dhoni rotating the bowlers continuously to not allow the batsmen to settle down against a particular bowler, which is good, but you also have to remember that bowlers need to settle in to a rhythm too to bowl well. The captains have a figure out where they can draw a fine line where they give the bowlers enough overs to allow them to settle down and not allow the batsmen to settle against that bowler. For me, I would give 2 overs to a bowler (if he starts of well) and if he is bowling well then finish off his quota in one go

 

[duffer]

Raina has developed into some T20 player. Still looks like a bit of a fatty though. Like he has too much bulk for his frame.

 

[vcs]

Raina has become a great T20 batsman.

 

[jeevan]

Do some points from this round carry over? Seeing that each team plays only 2 more in the 2nd round. If they do, these games do matter.

 

[GraemeSmith]

Kallis ruined the game for SA. Yes Graeme Smith did not do too well but he hasn't had anyway near the amount of practice that Kallis has had over the past few months. I bet that the the Indian team deliberately dropped Kallis's catches. SA could have won this game had Kallis not dicked around for so long allowing the Req run to go above 14 before getting a move on. If SA wants to win they should drop Kallis from the team. Hell, if Kallis plays against Afghanistan then Afghanistan will fancy their chances. His innings was so much worse than the statistics show, he let the pressure build by batting like he was playing a test match. He could have been out at 46 had that catch not been dropped and it would have been disastrous for SA seeing that he had faced 43 balls at that point. SA please drop Kallis from the next game if you want to go the next round.

 

[Athlai]

Bosman did far more to lose the match than Kallis.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Do some points from this round carry over? Seeing that each team plays only 2 more in the 2nd round. If they do, these games do matter.

They play 3 more in the 2nd round and the points don't carry over.

 

[Faisal1985]

AB de Villiers is forced to use South Africa's ultimate weapon, the Vulcan belly tickle, after conventional methods of getting Suresh Raina out fail.


Couldn't resist sharing this....

 

[AaronK]

I would love to see Afghanistan pulling an upset here.. but I don't see it happening..

they will be using the same pitch of Bang vs. Aus.. after watching Dirk and Tait dominating Bang.. i don't see Afghans doing any better against the likes of Steyn.. Afghans still have problem playing short balls not to forget.. So for me South Africa will win this quit comfortably..

 

[Furball]

I would love to see Afghanistan pulling an upset here.. but I don't see it happening..

they will be using the same pitch of Bang vs. Aus.. after watching Dirk and Tait dominating Bang.. i don't see Afghans doing any better against the likes of Steyn.. Afghans still have problem playing short balls not to forget.. So for me South Africa will win this quit comfortably..

Steyn's not a back of a length bowler though. His mode of attack has always been to bowl full at the stumps at great pace with a hint of swing.

Been quite impressed with Shenwari, has managed to get some excellent turn.

 

[zaremba]

This leggie is bowling a bit of a mixture but he's bowled a couple of lovely deliveries

 

[zaremba]

I'd like to see a speedgun on this Hamid Hasan fella - beat Boucher for pace with a beauty and is giving Albie Morkel the hurry-up too

 

[Scaly piscine]

How's the pitch playing those who're watching it?

Cricinfo says 87.3mph for the ball that dismissed Kallis (first delivery he bowled)

 

[zaremba]

I quite like the look of the pitch, scaly - there's a bit of bounce and turn

 

[Sir Alex]

This leggie is bowling a bit of a mixture but he's bowled a couple of lovely deliveries

Shenwari is so impressive. He's getting a bit of drift and turn. One drifted to leg and turned across the bat had Kallis completely squared up.

Also mighty impressed by Hassan. He has utilised the conditions nicely. More of a skiddy pacer capable of clocking over 140 k consistently.

 

[zaremba]

Yep that leg spinner to beat Kallis' bat was a lovely ball.

Agree entirely about Hassan - he looks like a proper international bowler. Good slower ball, too

 

[Scaly piscine]

Yea Cricinfo put some more speedgun readings in, saying high 80s mph for Hassan.

 

[zaremba]

3-21 off 4 overs for Hassan

I'm really impressed by this bunch

 

[Sir Alex]

How's the pitch playing those who're watching it?

Cricinfo says 87.3mph for the ball that dismissed Kallis (first delivery he bowled)

Averaged 141 today with highest of about 144.

Finishes with 3 for 21 with 10 dots. WAG.

 

[Pothas]

Yeah he was excellent.

Excellent effort on the whole as well.

Really hope JP comes good though soon, love watching him.