ArthurTurner

Proteas the team to beat

2009-06-02 07:59
Email | Print
Sport24 columnist Arthur Turner (File)

Arthur Turner

South Africa, along with India and Australia, must be the favorites to win the ICC World Twenty20 starting at Lord's on Friday.

However, due to the dynamics of the 20-over game, any of the top teams in international cricket can win the event. Personally, as a South African, I am going for the Proteas to win.

The lack of structure and the amount of 20-over cricket played at international level makes it difficult to make any predictions based on facts. Also, the game is unpredictable as we saw when Zimbabwe beat Australia at Newlands in the 2007 tournament. These two factors make a mockery of the form book and the critics.

The team that wins the tournament will ultimately be the one that handles the pressure the best and wins the 'big moments'. The winners will also have to have their fair share of luck. South Africa have historically not been good at handling pressure in global events and certainly haven’t enjoyed any luck either. The Proteas let a golden opportunity slip in failing to win the inaugural tournament on home soil in 2007.

South Africa have a well balanced team for the tournament with the right blend of batsmen for English conditions, two finishers in Mark Boucher and Albie Morkel and three spinning options that can all bat. The weak link is the fast bowling department with regards to form, depth and experience.

South Africa’s batsmen are in good form if their Indian Premier League performances are any thing to go by. The only concern must be the form of Graeme Smith who had a very poor IPL and was eventually left out of the Rajasthan Royals team. However, we all know he is a quality player and fighter and will be back.

Limited opportunities

The fast bowling department is a concern, though, with Dale Steyn being the only world class performer, but at times he leaks runs in limited overs cricket. Wayne Parnell and Yusuf Abdulla have done well in the limited opportunities they have had, but do lack experience. Morne Morkel is the major worry. However, Smith does have Jacques Kallis and Albie Morkel to use.

Spin has proved to be an important component of the 20-over attack and here South Africa are well equipped. Johan Botha has enjoyed a wonderful limited overs season and I just hope that the recent scrutiny test on his bowling action has not affected his confidence. Roelof van der Merwe has proved that he is a fighter and an asset to any team and Robin Petersen will also not let the Proteas down.

The Proteas have a third but very important string to their bow in that they are probably best fielding team in world cricket. The likes of AB de Villers, JP Duminy and Herschelle Gibbs will once again ensure that the Proteas have an advantage in this area. Fielding will undoubtedly play a role in the many tight games that will be the nature of the tournament. 

The tournament will provide a great opportunity for the Proteas to win a global event that will have a big impact on the cricket public of South Africa. The country is still on cloud 'Twenty20' after the successful IPL in South Africa. 

South Africa undoubtedly have the ingredients to win the ICC World Twenty20.

Arthur is a former cricket administrator and current player agent.

Disclaimer: Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.

 

Your Comments

drmony6/16/2009 3:37 PM
we are def champs......but now we have gone out from the tournament so we have nothng to say...but still i prefer to win from south africa because proteas are gud
Stephan6/4/2009 10:33 AM
I understand that there is a certain amount of pressure to be absorbed in T20 cricket, but by far the biggest contributor to any victory is LUCK!! If one batsman or bowler comes off, the game is as good as over. For this reason, I can't believe that people are making predictions. I get a feeling that we are all going to get a huge surprise!!! And by this, I include SA's chance of winning as our boys have been prone to be at the weaker end of both the above mentioned aspects. GO PROTEAS!!!
Anonymous User6/3/2009 2:49 PM
SA has the talent to win, BUT they lack the mentality. This is hugely Mickey's fault as he is the most unimaginative coach on the face of the earth. He feeds of the ideas of others and use them as his own. Amazingly he hasn't taken credit for moving Kallis to open yet.
Arthur Turner6/3/2009 12:50 PM
Fandash thanks for all your great comments they make me laugh. I really do find you funny even though most of the comments are baseless and end up in my metal rubbish bin. Humerous reading though.
Arthur Turner6/3/2009 12:44 PM
Fandash thanks for all your great comments they make me laugh. I really do find you funny even though most of the comments are baseless and end up in my metal rubbish bin. Humerous reading though.
Anonymous User6/3/2009 12:27 PM
Guys , theres only one winner, INDIA SA must give Yusuf Abdulla a chance. He will do well in those wickets in England. Kallis should play depending on the wicket He can slow down the run rate on a good wicket but hold the team together when the wicket is a handful. Prediction INDIA v SA final
Aussie Aussie Aussie.. OI OI OI6/3/2009 8:56 AM
SA is the only team that can play 4 spinners and 4 seamers and still bat up to 8 be and the best fielding side and, and, and, because they have the most potential and most talent. Variety in the bowling department wins this games. Aussies / India / NZ are the teams to watch / beat SL / Bangies dark horses. They don't pick a team on personalities, They pick wise good leader, and then they pick the best possible team available to them. But in SA, nooo they have to pick our very "old" and dear friends not the best in this format no wonder they choke. Morne van Wyk should be in the place of Mark Boucher. Jacques Kallis should not make the team SA has many big hitting all rounder’s that should take his place.
Anonymous6/3/2009 1:56 AM
In Ipl the south african players was marshalled by great captains not chancers.Make up your mind arthur.....Cant you see that India and New Zealand will be in the Finals.......Dont mislead the people with uncertain predictables.Crackers under pressure.
Fandash6/2/2009 5:59 PM
Arthur, make your choice and stick to it. You are so typically on the fence with your opening headline and then further down the line you go on to say any team could win it. Your article is full of contradictions. I am so glad you are not my agent. A case of " on the one hand, but then on the other hand". Make up your mind.
Anonymous User6/2/2009 4:59 PM
unfotunately for you Arthur, India will be the team to beat. SA is too conservative and cautious, and depends too much on the experience of the older players, which i believe will not do them any favours. SA needs good solid batting aggression in 20/20 cricket. i dont believe there's much positives with some of the current 20/20 selections.
Zolani6/2/2009 4:54 PM
Yesterdays Match was great, Nice to see Smith come back to form, But we did loose form after Gibbs and Smith went out, to win the tournement we need the longest possible tail, So Ontong who can bat well is not a Bad Idea
Patriot6/2/2009 4:52 PM
Hi MAT ,I even have a TV in my office, I have watched every Cricket match, in the last 18 years, and Played for 12 years. I did not critisise any player, Just Gave a opinion, and yes there are many smith bashers on this forum, I for one think he is fantastic, But watch out for duminy and AB they are on the verge of greatness.
Test Lover6/2/2009 4:47 PM
I loved the IPL and as i work from Home i saw every match, @MATT, I agree with Patriot, on certain days , The pace men dont work because ,no slip catches, therefore they have to hit the stumps, check how well Nanes Did, McGrath did not even get a game, and Ntini only played one,And the Good wicket keepers do come up to the Stumps at the death overs. Go Smith and Boys
class of 20066/2/2009 4:40 PM
@Matt, I agree fully with Patriot, He said Steyn is one of his Favorites, Just note How many pace men got wickets in the IPL, the slower paced guys , got the wickets, Thats why Langes,Vetori,Kumble ,warne did so great, He was not bashing the Pace men, he just offered, a valid Opinion
Nick6/2/2009 3:37 PM
I think the side that went out yesterday and demolished Pakistan is the side we must play through the entire championship. we batted all the way down (a No11 with a test 50 to his name), had at least 7 bowling options (lets not forget JP has a pretty decent arm on him). I think Kallis/ Smith with Gibbs at 3 is perfect for t20. i also liked the fact that the team had the sense to send Albie up the order a bit. he needs a few balls to get going, so he's wasted with only an over to spare. We have everything it takes to bring the cup home.
Matt6/2/2009 2:31 PM
Wow,I don't know who Patriot is calling 'unknowing,' because he/she doesnt have a clue! If we dropped Steyn(world number 1 bowler) or Parnell and put in Ontong we would have 4 spinners in the team and we were debating whether having Botha and van der Merwe in one team was too much!? Patriot, do yourself a favour and watch more 20/20 cricket, then you'll understand the importance of having variety - especially in your bowling attack. Also, often the most effective death bowling is by the fast bowlers with the keeper back. Sorry I dont mean to be too critical, but I dont think Patriot is on-the-ball with his comments.
Dave6/2/2009 2:14 PM
The best T20 teams are India and SA but as you said, this form of play is so unpredictable. For once, consistency is on our side. I support the Proteas whole heartedly - Go boys!
Anonymous User6/2/2009 2:10 PM
Smith is a fighter will find his form back, kalllis, Ab, JP Duminy Giibbs Albie, Boucher are big hitters even van der merve can bat too. So we really do have a strong team
Patriot6/2/2009 12:21 PM
We do have a great team, I might just Drop either Parnell,or Steyn and bring in Ontong because he can bowl and bat, Dont get me wrong, steyn is is one of my Favourites, But the pace men, get there wickets caught in the slips, and in this format there arent any slips, all protecting the Boundries, and in the dying overs the Wicky needs to stand up to the stumps to prevent stealing singles. What a Great 70 Smith had yesterday, Love it when he makes the unknowing eat there words
Lily White6/2/2009 12:19 PM
SA lineup really looks good for this competition. But T20 by nature is extremely unpredictable. Therefore any predictions on this form of cricket is little more than a waste of time. Especially if said prediction includes such statements, "...any of the top teams in international cricket can win the event."
Anonymous User6/2/2009 12:15 PM
We are always favourites (or at least one of them) before any major touranament starts. We have a well rounded team, and for once even have decent spinners (who can turn the ball). But that does not detract from the fact that other than a Champions Trophy many years ago, we have nothing to show for it. Lets rather say nothing this time and just see what happens.
Percy6/2/2009 12:07 PM
Arthur is right, I think this time around we can do better considering the good performance they showed during IPL, which in a way contributed in their strength of handling pressure much better.
Shaun Brock6/2/2009 11:45 AM
Fandash and Nic, not sure where you guys have been in recent times but that "chockers Tag" has been passed onto the All Blacks. We no longer carry that torch. Also, the series win in Australia and England Prior to this? Surely optimism can be forgiven?
Anonymous User6/2/2009 10:57 AM
AAI ARTHUR YOU AGAIN, I SUGGEST THE PROTEAS COME FOR CONFIDENCE BUILDING TRAINING BY THE BULLS S14 TEAM SO THAT THEY CAN LEARN HOW TO PUT YOURSELF IN A WINNING POSITION AND PULL THROUGH. TELL ME I PLAY SUNDAY LEAGUE FOR MY CHURCH TEAM XI, CAN YOU ORGANIZE A CONTRACT FOR ME? LET ME KNOW BOSS.
JP6/2/2009 10:25 AM
Judging by your photo, Arthur, looks like you've had quite a few ingredients yourself!
Greg6/2/2009 10:02 AM
Comment moan and complain...Go do some work and keep busy.
Fandash6/2/2009 9:41 AM
Arthur, please do not waste your time and ours by posting such rubbish. SA will not win the competition as much as I would like them to. We are chokers and this tournament wil be no different. I would gladly eat my words, but few things have changed since the last competition.
Stephen6/2/2009 9:27 AM
@Nic , groan here we go again. I am sure we had a lot of pressure moments when we were Down Under and in England. Maybe i was just seeing things 8-\
nic6/2/2009 8:25 AM
yes Arthur, we were also the favorites the previous t20 championship, and then we crumbled under the pressure. you say in your article that it's the team that can handle the pressure the best, i hope it's us, but i don't think so. we just can't get pass the big moments!
Your Name
*
Email
*
Comment
*
 
Please enter the text below:

*
 
 
Columns by this Writer
ArthurTurner

Warriors out to end drought

Proteas: Next stop India
After squaring their Test series against England in ruthless fashion, the SA's next assignment is winning in India, writes Arthur Turner.
We need a real opener
The experiment of opening with Ashwell Prince has been a failure writes Arthur Turner, and the time for change has come.
Latest Opinions
JJ Harmse

Few bums on Wallaby seats

Rob Houwing

Bok power game must stay

Colin Bryden

A Test too far for Smit?

Featured Blog

800!

Lobo salutes Muttiah Muralidaran's genius. He developed the doosra into an art form and terrorised batsmen with his cunning and his wily ways. Although his career was overshadowed by the "chucking" controversy, no-one will ever beat his mark of 800 Test wickets.

Latest blogs

Overhaul in Formula 1 7/29/2010 3:47:49 PM

Knowledge Musona is SA's Jet Club Rookie of the Year. 7/29/2010 3:44:19 PM

Currie cup predictions 7/29/2010 3:17:15 PM

Who is your Hero?

Nominate your hero and win R10 000!

RSS Feeds

RSS Feeds Sport news delivered really simply.

Mobile

Mobile Sport24 on your mobile phone - WAP, alerts, downloads, services

Free Email

Free Email Get a free 24.com e-mail account and stay in touch

Blogs

Blogs Yes your opinion counts. Get it out there

TV

TV schedule Plan your couch time with our searchable sport TV guide