South Africa -favourites to win semi-final v New Zealand and world cup-PART 2

[Harsh Thakor]

In response to Blue Bee who felt I made a previous short post. New Zealand no doubt have had a phenomenal record of consistency reaching the semis 6 times and coming so close in 1979 and 1992.They have bolwed better than anyone in this edition with Trent Boult in full flow and taking a monopoly of wickets.Martin Guptil's remarkable form,Brendon Mcullam's destructive batting and Williamson temperament have also come to the fore. Where the Proteas edge the Kiwis is there destructive and more versatile bolwing atck with Dale Steyn,Morne Morkel ,Carlisle Abbot and Imran Tahir.Inaddition the batting of Hasim Amla and A.B.devilliers would ovepower any oppostion. More world cup semis and finals have been won by talent and pealing on the day over balance and consistency just like India in 1983 and 2011 and Pakistan in 1992 or Australia in 1999.It is that element of unpredictability which won Pakistan the title in 1992 or even Sri Lanka in 1996.New Zealand is very similar to the situation of 1992.Remember how the talent of West Indies overcame balanced English team in 1979 while in 1992 a more balanced Kiwi and English team were overcome by Pakistan .The crucial factor is that the Proteas have a greater x factor.Man to man Trent Boult,Tim Southee,Martin Guptill.Kane Wiliamson,Brendon Mcullam do not overpower the talent of Dale Steyn,Morne Morkel,Hashim Amla,A.B.Devilliers and Farancois Duplessis.Remember how the Proteas beat them on their very own soil recently.True less talented teams have won semis an finals like Australia in 1987,Pakistan in 1992,India in 1983 or Sri Lanka in 1996 but what counted was the adrelanin that was flowing.Infact West Indies and Australia have been the only best teams to have won the world cup.South Africa reminds me of the Pakistan team that seemed to be jinxed till 1992 who had earlier come so close in 1975,1979 and 1987.What prevented England from winning a world cup from 1979-1992 was the very x fcator that South Africa posesses now or earlier champions like West Indies,Pakistan and Australia or even India had. Breaking the jinx of losing at every knockout stage of a world cup has immensely lifted the confidence of South Africa.In addition the Kiwis will face more pressure as favourites.It should be 55% South Africa,45%New Zealand. History equally favours both the Proteas and the Kiwis in world cups.However historically it is SAF who have prevailed more than the Kiwis in head to head encounters .

[bulbul]

Blubee is trying to delete his post.