Group A - Australia, Netherlands, Scotland, South Africa

[irottev]

Well, i'm sure the bowlers feel pretty bad after the onslaught. If Netherlands only got 130 odd thats limited damage.

 

[IloveGilly]

What a nightmare that would've been for Netherlands.

Certainly South Africa look like a threat now. A team consisted of big hitters and someone who can hit 6 sixes in an over. A full game might've seen a major slaughtering.

These sides just need time to develop, but currently don't stand a chance against modern day sides like these.

 

[Griffo]

you do realise it was the number 1 seed v the number 16 it was bound to happen

 

[IloveGilly]

you do realise it was the number 1 seed v the number 16 it was bound to happen

What was bound to happen? South Africa on the verge towards 500? 350+ runs in 40 overs? Gibbs hitting six sixes? Bouchers 50 in 21 balls?

I think it all came as a surprise (Boucher's 50 being the least).

 

[irottev]

I still don't think SA will perform so well against the big guns.

 

[surendar]

I still don't think SA will perform so well against the big guns.

naah.. I hope they do!

A great positive from Netherlands is, they played full 40 Overs. Well done Netherlands!

 

[isrararrafi]

i hope south africa will win this worldcup. they atleast deserve it because of all the bad luck they had in the other ones.

 

[Helpman]

I still don't think SA will perform so well against the big guns.

Jeez, what great powers of deduction you have. :

 

[Ponting_14]

Proteas target 'two weak links'

March 17, 2007

FORMER South Africa batsman Daryll Cullinan has pinpointed Shaun Tait and Michael Clarke as Australia's weak links, warning they will be targeted by the Proteas in the Cricket World Cup match between the two top-ranked teams next week.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21395527-5012554,00.html

 

[manee]

Interesting, how they will "target" a batsman on these slowish pitches, also, attacking Tait's full length may be exactly what he wants.

 

[donkey]

I'm just glad it wasnt a warm up game, gibbs is crazyyyy!!!

 

[manee]

Yes, it is a shame he did not bad for another 50 balls, in which time he would have threatened the ODI record.

 

[Wildwil]

You should have seen that over! Gibbs was going crazy! Was magnificent to watch. The whole team jumped up when he got the last one. It was brilliant strokeplay.

@irrotev Mate I think we can do pretty well against the big guns. We have the batting and bowling attack. We will just have to wait till 23 March I think it is Aus vs. SA. Kallis is looking in brilliant form and Gibbs.

 

[BigCrickNan]

Interesting, how they will "target" a batsman on these slowish pitches, also, attacking Tait's full length may be exactly what he wants.

Well if anyone can take Tait to the cleaners it's this South African batting line-up as they will be capable of putting bad balls away (a long way) and they shouldn't be succeptable? to Taits pace as they are an experienced team unlike Scotland who haven't faced a lot of really fast bowling.

 

[irottev]

Yeah, the Aussie SA game will be a good one. I predict Aussie win comfortably. I hope i'm right.

I'm still not convinced that South Africa can put in the consistant performances with the bat and that they have enough bowling variation. They don't really have a spinner and Kallis hasn't been doing very well with the ball. Who knows. This game could turn the tables. Smith got his first score for a wee while.