Former South Africa captain Clive Rice has launched a scathing attack on Graeme Smith's side, and reckons they will be 'very lucky' to reach the semi-final stages of next month's World Cup in the subcontinent
Former South Africa captain Clive Rice has launched a scathing attack on Graeme Smith's side, and reckons they will be 'very lucky' to reach the semi-final stages of next month's World Cup in the subcontinent. South Africa are in a must-win situation going into today's fourth one-day international here at St George's Park.
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| In a web: India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh celebrates the dismissal of South African skipper Graeme Smith during the third one-day international at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday. pic/AFP |
"We will be very lucky to reach even the semi-final stages of the World Cup. I have serious doubts about this team. Graeme Smith and JP Duminy ufffd two of top-order batsmen in the team ufffd have serious problems against spin bowling. Harbhajan Singh is toying with Smith. When they are struggling against Harbhajan and even the part-timers on these pitches, how can we expect them to do well on sharp turners in India and Sri Lanka? They have picked a poor World Cup squad, too man inexperienced players in there.
"For me, England, Sri Lanka and India are sure to reach the final four," Rice told MiD DAY. "If you analyse the last two games (that India won by close margins), South Africa stumbled at crucial situations, and weren't good enough to handle the pressure. They have experienced players, but they lack the big match temperament. On the other hand, India are so high on confidence, and believe they can win from any situation," he added.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, South Africa created a niche in world cricket with a handful of all-rounders and dazzling fielders.
The likes of Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock, Brian McMillan, Pat Symcox, Jacques Kallis and Hansie Cronje were exceptional contributors with both bat and ball. That ingredient is missing in this set-up, opined Rice: "We are trying to convince ourselves by calling Johan Botha and Wayne Parnell all-rounders. Botha isn't capable of batting at No 7; the number six position is still not fixed. If you look at India, Harbhajan Singh is playing that role perfectly of a bowler, who can contribute with the bat. With the World Cup just a month away, our team should have been fixed a lot earlier. We have left too many decisions too late."
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In the last one-dayer at Cape Town, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Wayne Parnell conceded a few crucial boundaries towards the end that cost South Africa the game. "Our fast bowlers need to vary their pace and angle a lot better. That's going to be very important in the sub-continent. The faster they learn, the better for the side," he concluded.
