1st Quarter Final - South Africa v Sri Lanka (18th March)

[ankitj]

Coz they're absolutely pathetic and they bottle it in knockout situations repeatedly. As an extension, have they even won a single WC match which was a "must-win"... not even talking about knockout matches, because the 2003 match vs SL where they screwed up the D/L calculations, while not technically a knockout game, was a must win for SA. Every time they get into a scenario where they have to win to stay alive in the tournament, they just bottle it. It's an incredible record.

Another example is India vs South Africa in 2007 world t20. It wasn't even a must win. SA just had to lose by a reasonable margin to qualify - get 126 off 20 overs. They bottled it in the most inexplicable style even by their standards.

24th Match, Group E: South Africa v India at Durban, Sep 20, 2007 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[OverratedSanity]

Ah yes, the summer of RP singh

 

[Isura]

it is ridiculous how important that toss is in this match. It shouldn't be that important in an ODI, but Saffers suck so hard at chasing and SL's bowling has been so putrid this tournament.

People way overestimate the importance of the toss.

 

[smash84]

People way overestimate the importance of the toss.

for some teams (e.g. pakistan, sa) it is very important.

 

[ankitj]

People way overestimate the importance of the toss.

This.

 

[Contra]

btw do drop in pitches completely negate the fact that pitches might be tiring and therefore might become more spin friendly?

 

[Isura]

for some teams (e.g. pakistan, sa) it is very important.

As an example, Pakistan in the last 4 years.

(matches-won-lost-tied-noresult win/loss %)
batting first
46-23-20-2-1 53.5%

bowling first
51-27-24-0-0 53%

won toss
40-21-17-1-1 55%

lost toss
57-29-27-1-0 52%

A slight edge when winning the toss. Almost no difference batting first or second.

 

[smash84]

How'd you get a win percentage of 53% ?

 

[Pup Clarke]

SL to cruise this imo. The discrepancy in the bowling attacks isn't that large seeing as SA don't have a 5th bowler, which is huge.

 

[Jono]

People way overestimate the importance of the toss.

Not in this match they don't. You win the toss against Saffers you bat first and make them chase.

 

[Isura]

How'd you get a win percentage of 53% ?

27/(27+24)

 

[viriya]

I think the toss and Amla holds the key.

 

[Flem274*]

want SA to win because the **** half of their team won't handle a hostile eden park crowd and some of the brilliant half might get affected too.

sri lanka would deal with it better.

 

[ankitj]

Yeah, Sri Lanka tends to be very competitive in world tournaments. Can't be easy to go past.

 

[Dan]

Umm, guys, South Africa have won knockout matches at ICC tournaments before...

1st QF: England v South Africa at Dhaka, Oct 25, 1998 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
1st SF: South Africa v Sri Lanka at Dhaka, Oct 30, 1998 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
Final: South Africa v West Indies at Dhaka, Nov 1, 1998 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
4th QF: England v South Africa at Nairobi (Gym), Oct 10, 2000 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[ankitj]

I ignore champions trophy generally. Spoils some neat geanarlizable records

 

[OverratedSanity]

Yeah I just love the irony of SA's only big ICC win coming in a tournament which was literally all knockouts.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Umm, guys, South Africa have won knockout matches at ICC tournaments before...

1st QF: England v South Africa at Dhaka, Oct 25, 1998 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
1st SF: South Africa v Sri Lanka at Dhaka, Oct 30, 1998 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
Final: South Africa v West Indies at Dhaka, Nov 1, 1998 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
4th QF: England v South Africa at Nairobi (Gym), Oct 10, 2000 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

remember this when Kallis went guns, mad tournament and crowd went crazy despite the home team wasn't playing

 

[anil1405]

The worry for Proteas is not about getting first knock-out win out of the window but its the big question of who is gonna do it for Proteas?

Overall the team is a bit inexperienced and as seen against Pakistan the batsmen have failed to deliver when it mattered. Rossouw, Miller and Duminy can be destructive when they are in their comfort zone but a certain minimum contribution under pressure would ease the pressure on the likes of Amla and AB. If they are batting second they should focus on getting to 10-20 runs first (which Rossouw and Miller failed to do) and then change gears if needed. DeKock, if he plays, could ease the pressure on Proteas by getting some quick runs at the top but considering his form and lack of positive intent, Proteas can just hope rather than rely on him for a good start.

South African bowling unit has been alright in this tournament. Nothing great like Aus or NZ attack. For them to do well against SL, two pace bowlers need to have a good day. Disappointed that Abbott was dropped once Vern was fit. Abbott was surprisingly good and more importantly has been among the wickets. Personally I would like to see him play against the Lankans. Steyn's bowling in the last 10-15 overs is a worry but it is extremely crucial that he has a good first spell in QF.

South Africa, in their team meetings, should emphasise on the shaky lower order of SL and how important it is to get 2-3 early wickets. While the pitch may assist SL bowlers, the big ground should benefit Proteas in converting ones into twos. SL would play two spinners + Dilshan so running between wickets is extremely crucial. Thisara's overs could be targeted for scoring heavily.

 

[Bahnz]

Reckon South Africa will break their hoodoo on Wednesday. Sangakarra can't keep making hundreds forever, and I seriously doubt whether SRL's bowlers have what it takes to prey on SA's mental frailties in KO games.