*Official* Group B Discussion - South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, England

[Raghav]

Well yeah, but their current team is absolutely nowhere near their first string side, so I'd happily argue that any team history at the event is pretty much completely irrelevant.

yeah completely agree with you....

But, If you have a strong talented unit with a strong will to perform and excel, they can be really dangerous...

At the moment, no one sure how these guys really perform....

In 1997, no one gave England a chance to win a Quadrangular event http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/61016.html; But the surprising unit won it with strong team performace

I am not saying WI will do it here.. Just want to say that we cant underestimate the second string side any time. They have nothing to lose here...They come with a passion to excel

[straw man]

South Africa win the toss and bowl. Crucial match this one as the winner will very likely get through to the semis, while the loser will have a much harder time. Will be interesting to see how the pitch plays.

SA favourites obviously, but I see they're talking themselves up like a team that hasn't won a tournament for a long time. "It's destiny" etc etc. Bad signs for them IMO.

[Stapel]

Not regarding WI fielding their 2nd XI, I think no team has ever more than 75% chance to beat any other team in an ODI. Really, the teams are quite close! SA are favourites, but anything can happen.

[Prince EWS]

Tipping Sri Lanka for an upset here after seeing the pitch, especially with Smith deciding to bowl first.

[BoyBrumby]

Have to say I did have a little chuckle to myself when Ravi said to Fat Gray "You in particular have lost a lot of weight" after the toss.

Obviously meant it as a compliment but the implication was obviously that Smith was a wee bit chunky previously.

[Athlai]

Jayasuriya gooooone

[GIMH]

Steyn strikes early I see

[BoyBrumby]

Pretty darn plumb it was too.

Nice to see Gunner get a gig on the world stage; always rated him as an ump & hope he doesn't make a liar of me now I've so clearly set him up for a Barry Crocker.

[Burgey]

Have to say Parnell has been cod ordinary.

If he keeps this up he could be SA's Mitchell Johnson..

[Briony]

Parnell is promising but to date has only been effective when there's been swing about. For all his erratic play I think that Albertus's brother was unlucky not to be selected in the squad, at least ahead of Ntini.

[Athlai]

Parnell is promising but to date has only been effective when there's been swing about. For all his erratic play I think that Albertus's brother was unlucky not to be selected in the squad, at least ahead of Ntini.

Reminds me of his Kiwi counterpart.

Dilshan is starting to get his motor going here.

[Briony]

SA attack hardly looking potent. You wonder why he sent them into bat. Conditions are meant to be more sub-continent like anyway.

[Jungle Jumbo]

Dilshan carrying on from where he left off in England. Mind you, the Saffies seem intent in providing him with plenty of short and wide stuff.

[Briony]

Yes there's a lot of pie chucking going on. The IPL experience would have helped a lot of these sub-continent players adjust to SA conditions. If SA does lose this after sending them in and not being able to chase, expect Smith to rightly get a pounding from the fans and home press. Their #1 ranking is at stake and they are desperately trying to shake off the choking tag.

[popepouri]

I can haz wicket pleez?