Wicket Cricket: Smash ‘n Grab Cricket heats up
The Proteas have a mountain to climb as they take on the ‘Kings’ of limited over cricket, India in three One Day International (ODI) matches.
Although the series is reduced to a quick ‘smash and grab’ encounter, the two teams will be determined to out shine each other.
The magnificent Virat Kholi, captain fantastic Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and left-handed sensation Shikhar Dhawan are only three of the top batsmen who have performed well for India recently. However, South Africa has world number one bowler Dale Steyn and the ever reliable Lonwabo ‘Lopsy’ Tsotsobe always ready to fire.
The battle will be between South Africa’s bowlers versus India’s strong batting line-up. With Imran Tahir rediscovering his form; the Indians have a bit more than South Africa’s pacemen to worry about.
On paper, the Proteas have a batting line-up capable of exploding on any given day; unfortunately not all their batsmen have fired regularly. Should the likes of Graeme Smith, Hasim Amla, Quinton de Kock and Jacque Kallis perform well, India’s feeble attack will probably leave their fielders chasing leather all over the field.
To call the favourites may be premature, but South Africa has not been consistent in the shorter version of the game while India have been; on the other hand, the Proteas are playing at home and potentially have a more ‘complete’ side than the Indians.
The first of three ODIs starts today, December 5 at the Bullring, with South Africa gearing up in pink for Cancer awareness.
