World Cup Quarter Finals Discussion

[SaiSrini]

Actually its a fair point. If SL get near 280 batting first, and with their batting line up why shouldn't they, then it will be tough for SA to get there, especially with the extra pressure of it being a KO.

Though I suppose the same could be said of all sides.

Not really. India and Australia are good sides when chasing as they can soak up all the pressure and keep a cool head. SAF have a way of crumbling under pressure especially when chasing against big sides.

 

[Satan666]

Not really. India and Australia are good sides when chasing as they can soak up all the pressure and keep a cool head. SAF have a way of crumbling under pressure especially when chasing against big sides.

Well they're good sides when chasing since India has MSD and Australia has JP Faulkner.

 

[Aalay]

Australia has JP Faulkner.

LOL Faukner the finisher.

 

[themusketeer]

NZ vs WI : (winner -WI)
SA vs SL : (winner - SL)
AUS vs PAK : (winner - PAK)
IND vs BAN : (winner - IND)

I except NZ,SA,AUS going home soon. Then 2 of the Asian teams will be Fighting for WC title.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

South Africa has to bat first if they want to stay in this WC. The moment they have to chase, they are gone. They showed it against both India and Pakistan in this tournament where they bunk under pressure when chasing.

Yep. I'm with you on that one. Unfortunately, SA have just not settled in as the tournament has progressed. I feel their tournament will end tomorrow.

They're my favourite team after India, but I feel they over depend on De Villiers. I don't think Duminy is a finisher at all and whether SA bat first or second, he should bat at 4. De Villiers has to bat at 5, because he seems to be the only one that can control a chase as well as up the ante if needed, with Miller at 6. I have never understood the point of Behardein. McLaren/Wiese/Morris, all would have been better picks.

South Africa's second biggest issue apart from chasing has been the bowling. Steyn is outright erratic. He has shown glimpses of his genius, but his mind CLEARLY is somewhere else. He looks like someone, waiting to get on the plane back home. Morkel has been a saving grace in the pace department while Tahir has been exceptional. Like Behardein, I don't get the point of Philander. Abbott is a far better limited overs bowler and it's been proven this tournament. SA have some serious love for him, for some absurd reason. He can only be effective, if the pitches have some nip and clearly, the deck won't suit his style. Abbott provides a good death bowling option, a place where Philander most certainly will get carted around.

Either way, tomorrow will be a step in the right direction or half the world cup is over for me. It will be sad to see a talent like De Villiers end up without a WC gold media, but it looks certain to happen.

 

[SixerBoy11]

Pakistani team got some bigger problem now as Mohammad Irfan rules out of WC. IMO Saeed Ajmal should go in place of Irfan But PCB will call for a replacement only if the Pakistan Wins the Quarter-Final.
Junaid Khan is likely to replace him.

 

[stefan]

Loving how everyone is writing SA of...The past is the past, whoever plays better on the day will win tomorrow. I am pretty confident that we will see a different SA then the one that played in the group stages...

Also looking forward to see if these same comments will be used against the Black Caps when they get to the semi. Who am I kidding it won't apply to them as they aren't SA....

 

[IanG]

Seems to be a few writing off Australia and New Zealand home advantage.
Just hope the Aussies are on song because Pakistan are an enigma. Depending on which team gets on the bus so to speak. Can either be absolute world beaters or can turn to custard and lose to an associate.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Loving how everyone is writing SA of...The past is the past, whoever plays better on the day will win tomorrow. I am pretty confident that we will see a different SA then the one that played in the group stages...

Also looking forward to see if these same comments will be used against the Black Caps when they get to the semi. Who am I kidding it won't apply to them as they aren't SA....

First of all, I'm an Indian and if they can't win the trophy, then my lord knows I will be screaming for SA from the rooftops followed by NZ. I'm not so passionate about NZ, but I've been the most ardent lover of SA cricket for a long, long time. AB de Villiers being my all time favourite, drives that passion and support even more. However, SA's preparation has been far from ideal. Like I mentioned in my earlier posts, there are issues that need to be resolved.

1) When SA landed on Aussie shores, the question was the no.7 spot. It seemed like the only piece of the missing puzzle, but somehow SA have managed to make the puzzle a lot bigger. For tomorrow, it's still uncertain whether Behardein/Roussow will get the nod.

2) One thing I was bloody sure about, was SA's bowling. While Tahir and Morkel have done a job, Steyn has blown hot and cold. I've been feeling from the outset that Steyn's heart doesn't seem to be in it. Why Abbott got dropped in favour of Philander, who is a very over rated ODI bowler is beyond me. Just to sight an example, Mohit Sharma wasn't in the original squad for the World Cup for India, but he performed and is since then keeping the others out. Rightly so.

3) Duminy is a shocker of a finisher. His place is in the middle and De Villiers must control the back end and absorb the pressure. From what we've seen so far, if de Villiers falls, SA fall.

Lastly, as ardent a fan as I am of AB, his press conferences have been confused. His latest one, smells nerves like never before. I hope, I'm badly wrong and that disgusting 'C' word never crosses SA cricket ever again, but, my heart can wish all it wants, my mind says the curtain will drop on SA tomorrow.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Seems to be a few writing off Australia and New Zealand home advantage.
Just hope the Aussies are on song because Pakistan are an enigma. Depending on which team gets on the bus so to speak. Can either be absolute world beaters or can turn to custard and lose to an associate.

In my opinion, Pakistan can play with 14 lads, but they're not beating the Aussies. Pakistan have played a very good world cup so far after being seriously neutralised with injuries and 'bowling action' issues. They've punched above their weight and I hope their fans don't give the team a hard time if they are to lose. Pakistan don't have the batting to bother Australia one bit and while their bowlers are good, there's no Wasim Akram in there to blow a side apart.

Australia should stroll into the semis where they should meet India, unless India manage an accident. That game should be worthy of a final. Easily the two most balanced and for me the two best teams in the competition.

 

[stefan]

First of all, I'm an Indian and if they can't win the trophy, then my lord knows I will be screaming for SA from the rooftops followed by NZ. I'm not so passionate about NZ, but I've been the most ardent lover of SA cricket for a long, long time. AB de Villiers being my all time favourite, drives that passion and support even more. However, SA's preparation has been far from ideal. Like I mentioned in my earlier posts, there are issues that need to be resolved.

1) When SA landed on Aussie shores, the question was the no.7 spot. It seemed like the only piece of the missing puzzle, but somehow SA have managed to make the puzzle a lot bigger. For tomorrow, it's still uncertain whether Behardein/Roussow will get the nod.

2) One thing I was bloody sure about, was SA's bowling. While Tahir and Morkel have done a job, Steyn has blown hot and cold. I've been feeling from the outset that Steyn's heart doesn't seem to be in it. Why Abbott got dropped in favour of Philander, who is a very over rated ODI bowler is beyond me. Just to sight an example, Mohit Sharma wasn't in the original squad for the World Cup for India, but he performed and is since then keeping the others out. Rightly so.

3) Duminy is a shocker of a finisher. His place is in the middle and De Villiers must control the back end and absorb the pressure. From what we've seen so far, if de Villiers falls, SA fall.

Lastly, as ardent a fan as I am of AB, his press conferences have been confused. His latest one, smells nerves like never before. I hope, I'm badly wrong and that disgusting 'C' word never crosses SA cricket ever again, but, my heart can wish all it wants, my mind says the curtain will drop on SA tomorrow.

1.The fact that the media isn't sure who will play doesn't really matter. Pretty sure it will be rillee 99%.
2.Steyn is a class, he gets better the more he bowls. He was distracted by the fire that nearly burned down his house. He will be ready for when it really matters. Champions step up for the big games.
3. Philander is a class act + he offers more with the bat then abbot.
4.You haven't watched him much if you think he is a shocking finishers. He is one of our better finishers. As to this absurd notion that if ab fails SA fails, we have won plenty of games were ab hasn't performed. In fact from a statistical point of view Amla is much more important, we win 85% of games were he makes 50 or more.

 

[abhi_jacko]

First of all, I'm an Indian and if they can't win the trophy, then my lord knows I will be screaming for SA from the rooftops followed by NZ. I'm not so passionate about NZ, but I've been the most ardent lover of SA cricket for a long, long time.

We are very much alike then. Team South Africa has always been my second choice after my home team India since the 90s. I am just a big fan of everything South African I think - one of the coolest and most likable people I have ever met in general. And the SAF cricketers always give away the same vibe which is very connectable. And ofcourse they are brimming with talent

 

[themusketeer]

Kyle Abbot is a better choice than Philander. You not gonna win if you rely on Philander for batting.

 

[abhi_jacko]

Au contraire, imo Philander lower down the order might just be the key to South Africa's chasing woes. When you have the usual ABD rampage going on at one end, someone like Philander who is more in the classical mould can turn the strike over instead of trying to be a hero himself, which Abbott is susceptible to. Plus he adds a proper bowling option and we have all seen what wickets can do to the teams in the first innings - the only way to stop a batting heavy team for a below par score is to get wickets regularly

 

[PokerAce]

Hmm if not India then its the Kiwis I will be rooting for.[DOUBLEPOST=1426610805][/DOUBLEPOST]World Cup Teams' Party Personalities - Live in Style

Its a shame I have only now come accross this rather unique WC preview. Well still worth a read I suppose.