We ask the experts: Can the Proteas bring home the Holy Grail?

22 March 2015 - 08:00 By Bareng-Batho Kortjaas and Khanyiso Tshwaku
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

South Africa's pummelling of Sri Lanka raised hopes that this could be the year the Proteas bring home the Holy Grail of cricket. We asked the experts for their views.

RAY JENNINGS

Former Proteas coach, under-19 World Cup-winning coach and SABC cricket commentator

 

What chance do you think the Proteas have of winning the World Cup?

They are playing good cricket - for 18 months we have not done many things wrong.

AB [de Villiers] is playing well, the fielding side is doing fantastic work, the bowling group has performed at a consistent level. I'm not too concerned about [Dale] Steyn; he is a big-match player and he'll come through.

We've got two good sides we have to beat in their own back yards to win it: New Zealand and Australia.

What do you remember most from past World Cups? Favourite tale?

The past has been negative, and we made some silly errors like Herschelle Gibbs's dropping of Steve Waugh and the miscalculating of the Duckworth-Lewis system by Shaun Pollock. Those mistakes cost us in previous World Cups.

If there was one word of advice you could give them, what would it be?

Your attitude and energy has to be at the right level for your skills to come through.

You have the freedom to express your talents and to make sure the emotions don't take over and lead to a poor skills level.

Which moment during this year's World Cup has been the best for you?

The performance against Sri Lanka was really one of perfection.

You don't often get games where the bowling, batting and fielding work at 100%.

Besides the Proteas, which team do you think are the best at this year's competition?

Australia. Consistently, they show in all tournaments that they have strength in all departments. If South Africa make the final, it is going to be fantastic. I hope we get Australia.

 

LANCE KLUSENER

Former Proteas allrounder and Dolphins coach

 

What chance do you think the Proteas have of winning the World Cup?

Uyabona mfowethu, amathuba ethu okuphumelela kule World Cup mahle kakhulu [You see my brother, we have a great chance of winning this World Cup]. They are excellent, as good as everybody else.

They had to answer a couple of questions in the quarterfinals, like whether [Quinton] de Kock should be rested, or play. I'm a big fan of his. He is a match winner up front.

Hopefully he is coming to form and we know he is unstoppable when he is he on song.

Also, the fifth bowler, [JP] Duminy, was fantastic against Sri Lanka and if that continues it would be great for us.

The other bowlers were on fire, bowled with pace and aggression. I feel the balance of the team is good.

Everyone is relieved that we've got through to the semifinals unscathed and the way we went about our business was good.

If we can play like that in the next two games, I think we'll be fine.

What do you remember most from past World Cups? Favourite tale?

Just the occasion is something that is awesome to be part of, a celebration of cricket.

We are as hungry as anybody to bring that trophy home.

The moment I remember most? If I had just scored one more run in the game against Australia [in the 1999 World Cup semifinal], that would have been wonderful.

If there was one word of advice you could give the Proteas, what would it be?

Focus on your own job, what you're in the team to do, whether it is bowling, spinning or batting.

I'd say bring to the table all your skills and those attributes that make you a great cricketer and always trust that the guy standing next to you will do his job.

Which moment during this year's World Cup has been the best for you?

The performances of the Dolphins guys have really been heartening for me.

David Miller's 100 against Zimbabwe was pleasing to watch.

The way Kyle Abbott has bowled and forced himself into the reckoning has been wonderful.

Imran Tahir's performances have been wonderful, and just knowing we've done a bit of work with them and seeing them perform on the world stage is good.

Besides the Proteas, which team do you think are the best at this year's competition?

Australia are always going to be a handful and certainly India will have a chance.

New Zealand are the dark horses and they haven't missed many semifinals. They are due a good tournament and in their own conditions, they are a handful.

Kodwa, ke sibafisela inhlanhla abafana bethu [Having said all that, we wish good luck to our boys].

 

Find out what the other experts had to say - get your copy of the Sunday Times or Subscribe Online

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now