South Africa to win this world cup.

[BeautifulGame]

Duminy is their all rounder' date=' and I guess Philander is a bowling A/R. It is a weak spot though and it is why they may have issues if ABDV goes early.[/quote'] Duminy is a part time spinner at best like Raina . Relying on him as 5th bowler with these fielding restrictions in middle Overs will haunt them in a pressure situation like world cup

[Sidhoni]

SA favourites in 92 - Rain screwed them :(( SA favourites in 96 - They decided to drop their main bowler Donald and then Lara screwed them in semi's. SA favourites in 99 - 1 run needed...Donald forgot run SA 2nd fav in 03 - Miscalculated the DL score :facepalm: SA 2nd fav in 07 - Hayden blown them in semis (was expected) :agree: SA 2nd fav in 11 - Heavy fav against Kiwis in semis but Southee blown them :whine: SA favourite again in 15 - whats in store this time? :nervous:

That was in QF in 2011 not semis.

[brendan07]

Duminy is a part time spinner at best like Raina . Relying on him as 5th bowler with these fielding restrictions in middle Overs will haunt them in a pressure situation like world cup

He is better than Raina with the ball, Raina bowls Four N Twenty party pies. Duminy is very accurate and does turn the ball a bit. That 5th bowler a very weak spot, it is one that Australia targetted big time.

[brendan07]

As a team SA is better than Aussies but due to home conditions I agree with you Australia will not be far behind from Saffers. Might be joint favourites as you said. Mind you, except India no other home team won the WC yet. Can Aussies do it??

I haven't seen the odds in the last few days, not that I really bother looking at them a month out, but from memory both Aus/SA were $2.75. At least Australia have key players in form, I just hope like anything that Clarke is RULED OUT! He is the one bloke that will cost us this WC. There is a lot less pressure on Australia as whilst we love cricket, we have other sports lol

[HippoSucks]

I haven't seen the odds in the last few days' date=' not that I really bother looking at them a month out, but from memory both Aus/SA were $2.75. At least Australia have key players in form, I just hope like anything that Clarke is RULED OUT! He is the one bloke that will cost us this WC. There is a lot less pressure on Australia as whilst we love cricket, we have other sports lol[/quote'] Clarke's going to be instrumental this World Cup. This rest period was good for him and now he'll be in good form, my instincts say.

[BeautifulGame]

He is better than Raina with the ball' date=' Raina bowls Four N Twenty party pies. Duminy is very accurate and does turn the ball a bit. That 5th bowler a very weak spot, it is one that Australia targetted big time.[/quote'] I am not sure u have watched Mich of Raina bowling in ODI.Raina can turn the ball very much in helpful conditions Check his performance in the england series for ex.Particulaly as a defensive bowler. He doesn't bowl much becoz we always play with 5 bowlers . There isnt much difference in quality as bowlers BTW Duminy and Raina really

[brendan07]

Clarke's going to be instrumental this World Cup. This rest period was good for him and now he'll be in good form' date=' my instincts say.[/quote'] Yeah he said that last time, then he did a hammy AGAIN. Just no, we have blokes like Sean Marsh, Cameron White, Chris Lynn, etc that are healthy and fit and won't leave us a man down every single ODI!

[brendan07]

I am not sure u have watched Mich of Raina bowling in ODI.Raina can turn the ball very much in helpful conditions Check his performance in the england series for ex.Particulaly as a defensive bowler. He doesn't bowl much becoz we always play with 5 bowlers . There isnt much difference in quality as bowlers BTW Duminy and Raina really

I have seen more of Raina than you think, love cricket full stop. Raina is what I call handy, Duminy is a fraction more than that and one you can usually get 7+ overs out of, not sure you can with Raina especially in Australia.

[BlueBee]

They'll top their group but eventually choke in knock out.

[Austin 3:!6]

That was in QF in 2011 not semis.

That is correct thanks

[nitinbwj]

it sure wont be India.Patheic tail and bowlers.No big hitters in lower order.

[vvvslaxman]

No they won't

[BeautifulGame]

I have seen more of Raina than you think' date=' love cricket full stop. Raina is what I call handy, Duminy is a fraction more than that and one you can usually get 7+ overs out of, not sure you can with Raina especially in Australia.[/quote'] U can never back bowler like Duminy (and Raina) to consistently bowl 7 Overs in these conditions with the new fielding restrictions Yes he may have some success in the pressure free group stages but using that strategy in a high pressure KO will back fire badly. Good batting line ups will take advantage of this big time Just like playing Botha and Robin Pietereson at 7and 8 backfired spectacularly in last world cup

[randomGuy]

I haven't seen the odds in the last few days' date=' not that I really bother looking at them a month out, but from memory both Aus/SA were $2.75. At least Australia have key players in form, I just hope like anything that Clarke is RULED OUT! He is the one bloke that will cost us this WC. [b']There is a lot less pressure on Australia as whilst we love cricket, we have other sports lol

You know this sounds stupid, don't u?

[brendan07]

You know this sounds stupid' date=' don't u?[/quote'] Not really we have our football codes, so whilst we would love a WC- most people follow football in some shape or form. I would rather an Ashes win but I'd love a wc too

[HippoSucks]

Not really we have our football codes' date=' so whilst we would love a WC- most people follow football in some shape or form. I would rather an Ashes win but I'd love a wc too[/quote'] Well you're in Australia so I'm sure you know better, but I was under the impression that cricket was becoming immensely popular there.

[HippoSucks]

Yeah he said that last time' date=' then he did a hammy AGAIN. Just no, we have blokes like Sean Marsh, Cameron White, Chris Lynn, etc that are healthy and fit and won't leave us a man down every single ODI![/quote'] Lynn isn't ready yet and White isn't the most consistent. Australia's ODI team needs a strong pillar like Clarke to steady the middle order.

[randomGuy]

Not really we have our football codes' date=' so whilst we would love a WC- most people follow football in some shape or form. I would rather an Ashes win but I'd love a wc too[/quote'] So aust. is good at one more team sport, and that is supposed to take away the pressure of playing cricket world cup at home from Australian cricketers? Not convincing mate, ur players will feel the pressure If you say ashes is more important than the WC then that's a different point

[Sachin=GOD]

The C word will haunt them again. Although this team is stronger than any they have had in the last 2-3 WCs.

[Precambrian]

SA has got all the ammos needed to win this world cup. World class bowlers and world class batters' date=' I don't think they'll get better chance than this to lift the cup. Go Proteas.[/quote'] Lol, been hearing this pretty much every ICC tournament.:giggle: