With the ICC Cricket World Cup finally moving towards its business end, the onus will be on captain MS Dhoni to get the ball rolling after Team India’s unconvincing win against minnows Ireland and the Netherlands. The story is not very different for South African skipper Graeme Smith.
A team comprising AB de Villiers, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn have failed to live up to their potential so far in the ICC CWC in between carrying on their age-hold habit of “choking” at crucial times.
Graeme Smith, who went out of the set pattern by opening the bowling against England with Robin Petersen - clearly sent a message that the team means business. Unfortunately, for Smith and Company, the South African chase did not put in to the sum of their parts. The star studded batting line-up failed to chase down the modest England total of 171. Graeme Smith did try to put up a brave point after the defeat in Chennai.
“We've handled ourselves in some tough situations over the last few years, I don't think pressure is our weakness," South Africa captain Graeme Smith had said.
The stakes definitely will be no less for the visitors at VCA Stadium in Nagpur. Popularly known as the Orange City, Nagpur – Maharastra’s winter capital, is all set for its most awaited encounter in this ICC Cricket World Cup.
A team comprising AB de Villiers, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn have failed to live up to their potential so far in the ICC CWC in between carrying on their age-hold habit of “choking” at crucial times.
Graeme Smith, who went out of the set pattern by opening the bowling against England with Robin Petersen - clearly sent a message that the team means business. Unfortunately, for Smith and Company, the South African chase did not put in to the sum of their parts. The star studded batting line-up failed to chase down the modest England total of 171. Graeme Smith did try to put up a brave point after the defeat in Chennai.
“We've handled ourselves in some tough situations over the last few years, I don't think pressure is our weakness," South Africa captain Graeme Smith had said.
The stakes definitely will be no less for the visitors at VCA Stadium in Nagpur. Popularly known as the Orange City, Nagpur – Maharastra’s winter capital, is all set for its most awaited encounter in this ICC Cricket World Cup.
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