Harsh Thakor Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 South Africa are my favourites to beat New Zealand in the 1st semi-final on March 24th.South Africa are blazing guns and seem to have lit their spark at just the right time.New Zealand is better balanced with their bowling attack in great form and have been the most consistent performer in the tournament.However world cup history suggests it is not only about team balance and form but about match-winning talent and peaking at the right time.It is this very quality that won Pakistan the 1992 semi-final and final against better balanced teams in better form.South Africa is still in terms of quality the best side with great players like Dale Steyn,Hashim Amla,A.B.DevilliersOn it's day it can set fire to a stadium whether batting or bowling.New Zealand is in a similar position to what they were in the 1992 semi-final and I compare this Proteas team favourably with the Pakistan team that won it. I back the South African talent and adrelanin to prevail over the more consistent and balanced Kiwi team.True it's bowlers are in better form but it's batting has a tendency to colapse in the middle-order.South Africa have peaked at just the right time and their adrelanin is pumping.I thus back South Africa 55% over the Kiwis to win the semi-final.
Roshanrocks Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 there is a thread on india winning world cup, one on australia I think and now one on SA, just NZ is left..any takers?
BlueBee Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 What's up Harsh? It's too small an OP to consider from you. We're disappointed.
BeautifulGame Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 I dont agree that this SA team is the best team in the world cup.All three sides remaining Australia India nad NZL are better than SA. Yes SA has 3 superstar players in Steyn Amla and AB.But the suppercast in other teams are of slightly of better quality. SA do hold an edge after their 4-1 win over Kiws few months back this seems a different outfit as they showed in the thumping in the warm up match.Also SA will have some scars of the Pak match wiith the match being played at the same Eden park.If they are chasing they are vulnerable to panic with the recent meories. New ZeaLand with the momentum and crowd pushing them on are r better than SA and likely and that should really be enough to prevail them .There isnt enough to suggest SA have any edge over Kiwis when it comes to crunch situations. Even in 92 if Crowe wasnt injured in the 2nd half of Semi Final New zea Land would have been through to the Final @ MCG.I think Macullum will likely break that hoodoo and reach final this time finally
zen Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 Too close to call. SA is probably slightly better on paper however I have voted for NZ I am expecting a few showers on the day so it may impact SA spinners. Also if McCullum fires, it could upset SA's rhythm .... On the other hand, SA has ABDV and other power hitters as well Toss could be a factor too. However, both these teams have won CT ('98 SA & '00 NZ) by chasing totals
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