Cricket World Cup 2011
Kallis confident for play-offs
2011-03-23 18:26
Jacques Kallis (File)
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Dhaka - Veteran all rounder Jacques Kallis says South
Africa's run-in to the World Cup couldn't have gone better and it's time for
the serious business to begin.
Kallis said every team member is expected to deliver in
Friday's quarterfinal against New Zealand. "We are all very confident in
each other's game," he said on Wednesday.
Kallis said the group stage was near perfect, with South
Africa finishing top of Group B.
The 35-year-old Kallis has scored 11 180 one-day
international runs and taken 264 wickets in 313 games.
South Africa was no longer relying on star players as it had
done in the past, he said. "Everyone has had some runs and we haven't had
to depend on one or two guys to get us through games, everybody has
contributed, even the new guys so it has been fantastic from that point of
view, everyone seems to be in form," he said.
Kallis said while the top order was doing well he wanted to
continue to instill confidence in the lower order.
"We are all very confident in each other's game and the
lower order has come through for us in some situations where we have struggled
so all in all we are pretty confident," he said.
South Africa sailed through the group stages with victories
over the West Indies, Netherlands, Ireland, Bangladesh and pre-tournament
favorites India. The run was only marred by a 6-run loss to England in a
low-scoring game.
"It is almost like the warm-up part of the tournament
is done and now we are into the business end," he told reporters in Dhaka
on Wednesday.
"I don't think we could have asked for any better when
it comes to preparation," he said.
South Africa has never won the World Cup despite being a
favorite in previous editions. New Zealand is a five-time semifinalist. Neither
team has reached a final, although the Black Caps tend to save their best for
the limited-overs showpiece.
But memories of last year's 4-0 series defeat to Bangladesh
may haunt New Zealand while South Africa has been in Dhaka since last week,
having crushed Bangladesh by 206 runs in its last group game on Saturday.
Kallis refused to underestimate the New Zealanders.
"New Zealand are a very dangerous side, on their day
they have shown that they can beat anyone," he said.
"They bat deep and they have a lot of all-rounder, so
you have to be on top of your game and make sure that you cover your
bases."
The winner of Friday's match will face Sri Lanka or England
in Colombo next Tuesday.