ایلیٹ نے چھکا مار کر ”اپنے“ ملک کی ٹیم کے ”چھکے“ چھڑا دیئے

• 
  
• 

آکلینڈ (مانیٹرنگ ڈیسک) کرکٹ ورلڈکپ 2015ءکے پہلے سیمی فائنل میں نیوزی لینڈ نے جنوبی افریقہ کو شکست دے کر پہلی مرتبہ فائنل کیلئے کوالیفائی کر لیا ہے جبکہ اس جیت کا سہرا نیوزی لینڈ کے بلے باز گرانٹ ڈیوڈ ایلیوٹ کو جاتا ہے جنہوں نے نہ صرف 84 رنز کی ناقابل شکست اننگز کھیلی بلکہ آخری چھکا بھی مارا اور ٹیم کی ناﺅ پار لگا دی تاہم شائد کم لوگ ہی یہ جانتے ہیں کہ ایلیٹ بھی ساﺅتھ افریقہ میں ہی پیدا ہوئے تھے اور یہ کہا جا سکتا ہے کہ انہوں نے چھکا مار کر اپنے ہی ملک کی ٹیم کے ”چھکے“ چھڑا دیئے۔

تفصیلات کے مطابق ایلیٹ 21 مارچ 1979ءکو جنوبی افریقہ کے شہر جوہانسبرگ میں پیدا ہوئے اور ان کے والد ایک پلاسٹک سرجن تھے۔ انہوں نے ابتدائی تعلیم سینٹ سیتھیونز کالج میں حاصل کی اور کرکٹ کا آغاز بھی کالج دور سے ہی کیا۔ انہوں نے 1996-97 میں فرسٹ کلاس کرکٹ میں قدم رکھا اور اپنا پہلا میچ "Gauteng" کرکٹ ٹیم کی جانب سے کھیلا جس میں انہوں نے 67 رنز بنائے۔ اس کے بعد انہوں نے جنوبی افریقہ اے ٹیم کی جانب سے بھارتی اے ٹیم کے خلاف ایک میچ بھی کھیلا۔

 "Gauteng" ٹیم کے کپتان نیوزی لینڈ کے سابق کرکٹر کین رادرفورڈ تھے جنہوں نے ایلیوٹ میں چھپے ٹیلنٹ کو پرکھ لیا تھا اور وہ یہ بھی جانتے تھے کہ جنوبی افریقہ میں کوٹہ سسٹم ایلیوٹ کے کرکٹ کیرئیر کو آگے نہیں بڑھنے دے گا اور انہی کی نصیحت پر ایلیٹ 2001ءمیں جوہانسبرگ کو خیرباد کہہ کر نیوزی لینڈ چلے گئے۔

ایلیوٹ نے 2007ءمیں نیوزی لینڈ کی انٹرنیشنل ٹیم میں شمولیت کیلئے کوالیفائی کر لیا اور 2008ءمیں انگلینڈ کے خلاف ٹیسٹ کیرئیر کا آغاز کیا۔ انگلینڈ کے نیوزی لینڈ کے دورے کے دوران ہی انہوں نے ون ڈے کیرئیر کا آغاز بھی کیا اور اپنے پہلے ہی میچ میں 3 وکٹیں حاصل کیں جبکہ دوسرے میچ میں انہوں نے انٹرنیشنل ون ڈے کیرئیر کی پہلی نصف سنچری بنائی۔ سال 2009ءمیں چیپل ہیڈلی سیریز کے دوران انہوں نے 8 فروری کے روز آسٹریلیا کے خلاف کھیلے گئے میچ میں کیرئیر کی پہلی سنچری بنائی ۔ ورلڈکپ 2015ءکے سیمی فائنل میں انہوں نے شاندار اننگز کھیل کر اپنی ٹیم کو فائنل میں لے جانے کیلئے اہم کردار ادا کیا ہے اور یہ کہا جا سکتا ہے کہ ایلیوٹ نے چھکا مار کر اپنے ملک کی ٹیم کو ہی باہر کر دیا ہے۔

'We're the best team in the tournament' - de Villiers

 Four days after AB de Villiers questioned whether South Africa had an inflated sense of self after they lost a second group game, the captain has u-turned on that sentiment. Instead of asking if his men are as good as they think they are, de Villiers has rubber-stamped his initial analysis that his team are made of champion material.

"I 100% believe we are the best team in the tournament here," de Villiers said. "Those two losses in the group stage did hurt us a bit but we are past that now. We know where we could have won those games and we weren't that far off. We know we are very close... three games away from taking that World Cup home. The most important game is tomorrow but we know we are not far off so it's important to be positive and still believe we are the best."

De Villiers had expressed similar strong feelings about South Africa after they lost 1-4 in Australia last November on a recce trip for this tournament. Despite the margin of defeat, de Villiers called his team "the better side" and was pleased that they remained competitive throughout that series.

Two of the five games were decided in the final and penultimate overs, both times with South Africa batting first. That put the spotlight on their death bowling - an area most teams have struggled with at this tournament - rather than chasing problems, which appear to have reared their head again, although de Villiers denied that.

"It's not an issue. I believe we can chase down any total," he said. "There is no special strategy. You have to do the basics well. We've done it in the last year a few times under pressure. We didn't get it right the last couple of chases and that's alright. I am still confident in the batting unit. I believe there are a few guys due for big runs and it's going to happen soon at the right time."

Quinton de Kock, who has got into double figures only once in the tournament, is one of the players de Villiers was referring to but his lack of form should be less of a concern than overall shot selection under pressure. Both de Villiers and JP Duminy were dismissed trying to clear the boundary against Pakistan, even though the required run-rate was under control, but big-hitting seems to be something South Africa are intent on getting right. Vernon Philander, who is on track to play after a three-match absence with a hamstring strain, was practising it with such gusto, he broke a window at the New Zealand cricket museum at the Basin Reserve.

While that approach could help them at the Cake Tin, and if they return to New Zealand to contest a semi-final, South Africa may want to be cautioned by Michael Clarke. After Australia's overly aggressive approach saw them collapse against New Zealand, Clarke pointed to a deficiency in proper preparation and some in the South African camp have hinted at the same.

On Tuesday, Morne Morkel suggested South Africa "should have maybe worked on facing new balls a little bit more" to properly prepare for Pakistan at Eden Park but de Villiers did not think that played a role in the collapse. "It's an individual thing. I can't tell certain senior players what to do and what not to do in their preparation. We are each very particular about what we do and how we prepare," he said. "I've got a certain way. I don't face a lot of new balls but I still believe in my skill to bat on the day. I don't go into net sessions and face new balls all the time. I focus on what I believe will get me into the best space for the game."

The pre-match mindset was another talking point after South Africa's defeat to Pakistan, especially after de Villiers revealed he did not feel an "electric vibe" in the team that day. Now, he said the "energy is back," and hoped it stays but maybe only for the UAE game before it gets reined in for the knockouts.

"As a captain you sometimes get a feel going into a game in the warm-up. Sometimes, guys are over-intense, or guys need space or guys are too relaxed and those things change every single game we play and that's what I was referring to," de Villiers said. "The intensity will have to be pulled back if we do make the quarters and the semis because the guys could get over-eager again. You've got to get that balance right at tournaments like this."

South Africa's immediate focus though, is the balance of the team. Their preference for seven specialist batsmen has left them making up a fifth bowler from part-timers but playing five frontline bowlers will leave the line-up one short. What to do?

"That's the difficult decision most teams have to make at this World Cup - an extra batter or an extra bowler. The last few games we have gone for the extra batter, against India we went for the extra bowler. Both times we lost so it's a difficult one."

South Africa will try to solve the conundrum against the UAE but de Villiers promised they will be careful not to "mess around too much with your best possible XI" because they want to finish the group strongly to challenge for the ultimate prize.

"If you look at the standings, if we win the last game we will be in a good position to go into the quarters with a lot of confidence. We would have liked to win the two big games against India and Pakistan but it didn't happen that way and there's no point sulking now," de Villiers said. "It's a very important stage of our World Cup now. It's important to be confident and I still want the boys to believe we are the best, which we are. We are going to go into tomorrow's game with that attitude."

سرفراز کے چھکے پر وسیم اکرم نے بھی ”چھکا“ مار دیا

آکلینڈ (مانیٹرنگ ڈیسک) پاکستان کی جنوبی افریقہ کے خلاف شاندار فتح پر جہاں عوام انتہائی خوش ہیں وہیں سابق کرکٹرز بھی پرجوش دکھائی دے رہے ہیں۔ اس میچ میں سرفراز احمد کے شاندار 49 رنز اور وکٹ کے پیچھے 6 کیچز کی دھوم بھی پوری دنیا میں مچ گئی ہے۔ پاکستان کے مایہ ناز سابق فاسٹ باﺅلر اور کمنٹیٹر وسیم اکرم بھی سرفراز احمد کی بیٹنگ سے خوب محظوظ ہوتے رہے اور کمنٹری باکس میں بیٹھے ایسے الفاظ کا استعمال کرتے رہے کہ جن پر ان کے ساتھی کمنٹیٹر ہنسی سے لوٹ پوٹ ہو گئے۔ 
سرفراز احمد نے جنوبی افریقہ کے آل راﺅنڈر جے پی ڈومنی کو ایک ہی اوور میں 3 انتہائی شاندار چھکے مارے اور اس دوران وسیم اکرم کمنٹری کے فرائض سرانجام دے رہے تھے۔ سرفراز احمد نے جونہی دوسرا چھکا مارا تو انہوں نے اپنے روائتی انداز میں یہ الفاظ استعمال کئے ”شاٹ یار“ جس پر ان کے ساتھی کمنٹیٹرز ہنسی سے لوٹ پوٹ ہو گئے جس کے بعد وسیم اکرم نے فوراً انگریزی میں بھی ان کے شاٹ کی تعریف کر دی تاکہ وہ حضرات جو اردو نہیں سمجھتے وہ بھی سرفراز کیلئے ان کے تعریفی کلمات کو سمجھ سکیں

Pakistan Beat By Africa By 29 Runs Video Highlights

1:57 PM IST: WICKET! Big, big breakthrough. Sohail Khan has removed AB de Villiers for 77. He was the only resistance between Pakistan and victory and he is gone. Pakistan are on the verge of a major win.

1:39 PM IST: WICKET! Abbott falls to Rahat Ali even as AB de Villiers hits another half-century. Pakistan are in with a massive chance to upset South Africa but with de Villiers still at the wicket, anything is possible.

1:10 PM IST: Dale Steyn is out. AB de Villiers is standing between Pakistan and victory. They are three wickets away from an emphatic win.

12:34 PM IST: WICKET! This is a major blow for South Africa as David Miller falls to Rahat Ali for a duck. South Africa are 77/5 and it's now up to de Villiers and Duminy to steer the Proteas out of deep trouble.

Rahat celebrates after removing the dangerous David Miller.

© AFP

12:18 PM IST: WICKET! Wahab Riaz has struck again to remove Riley Rossow for six. South Africa are tottering at 74/4 in 12.2 overs but the good news for them is that AB de Villiers is still in the middle. They have the likes of JP Duminy and David Miller to bat as well. So Pakistan still have a lot of work to do.

12:14 PM IST: So things stand at a very interesting juncture now. After Amla and du Plessis shared a brisk second wicket stand, they were both removed within two balls of each other as Pakistan reduced the Proteas to 67/3 in 10.1 overs.

11:54 AM IST: South Africa are cruising along at the moment� as they reach 61/1 in 8 overs, chasing 232 against Pakistan. Amla and du Plessis have both been among the runs in this tournament and they are looking exceedingly confident again today.

11:49 AM IST: Amla is in terrific form; South Africa have raced away to 51/1 in 7 overs, chasing 232 in 47 overs (D/L) against Pakistan.

11:45 AM IST: Amla and du Plessis have taken control of the chase after Irfan departed early. Amla in particular has looked assuring with strokes on either side of the wicket. Pakistan need quick wickets here or the game could run away from them very quickly.

11:18 AM IST: WICKET! Iran has rocked South Africa early. He bowled a peach to the struggling Quinton de Kock, who edged it to Sarfraz Nawaz behind the stumps. South Africa are 0/1 in the second ball of their innings.

11:07 AM IST: The Pakistan lower-order caved in without so much as a semblance of a fight. They were 197/5 in 40.1 overs when play resumed after the second rain interval. But all they could manage was another 25 runs for the lost of the remaining five wickets. Great death-bowling by the Proteas again. South Africa need 232 in 47 overs according to the D/L� method.

10:42 AM IST: WICKET! South Africa are chipping away at the lower order here; Tahir has removed Wahab Riaz for a duck with a quicker delivery that hit him on the pads. A DRS review upheld the umpire's call. Pakistan 212/7 in 42.1 overs.
10:35 AM IST: WICKET! Afridi paid the price for one shot too many and that too against Steyn, who bowled the perfect boucner; Afridi mistimed the hook shot and found JP Duminy at deep square leg. Pakistan 212/6.

10:30 AM IST: Pakistan brought up the 200 of their innings soon after play resumed. They are primed for a good score here with a set Misbah and Afridi in the middle.

10:15 AM IST: The covers were first taken off being brought back on again. It seems now that the match has been reduced to 47-overs-a-side and the innings break will be for 10 mins.

9:59 AM IST: The covers are coming off and it looks like play could resume soon.

9:45 AM IST: The rain this time appears to be heavier. If Pakistan do not bat again, then South Africa look at chasing 240 in 40 overs (D/L). With the kind of batting fire power they have, it should not be a massive ask but Pakistan's bowlers would love to defend six -runs-an-over for a change.

9:30 AM IST: Rain stopped play for a second time soon after Misbah raised his 42nd ODI fifty. Pakistan were 197/5 in 40.1 overs as the players headed for shelter in the face of some heavy showers.

9:10 AM IST: Rain has stopped play in Auckland. There was a rain threat this afternoon and it has finally forced the players off the field. Pakistan are 175/5 in 37 overs

8:58 AM IST: WICKET! Abbott picks up his second wicket to remove the dangerous Umar Akmal for 13 as Pakistan slip to 175/5 vs South Africa.

8:36 AM IST: WICKET! Abbott has struck again - this time he removes Maqsood as Pakistan slip to 156/4 in 32 overs. South Africa are fighting back only the way they know.

8:35 AM IST: Pakistan are slugging it out. Despite the loss of key wickets, this is the best platform they have had in this World Cup and their batsmen need to capitalise on it. Misbah had spoken of the need to get to at least 250 to allow his bowlers some leeway.

South Africa kept hurting Pakistan with regular wickets

© AFP

8:18 AM IST: WICKET! What a breakthrough this is. Younis Khan, who was playing a solid knock has been removed by AB de Villiers. The Proteas skipper brought himself on only to shore up the over-rate and he was being taken for runs before he struck a deadly blow on Pakistan; 132/3 in 26.4 overs.

8:04 AM IST: It has been slow going for Younis and Misbah as Pakistan reach 115/2 in 24 overs. Morne Morkel is bowling a probing line and the task appears to be cut out for the sub-continental giants, who have faced some issues in this World Cup.

7:46 AM IST: The two veterans in the middle for Pakistan; 100 up before drinks and the 1992 champions have a great platform ahead of them; 104/2 off 19 overs

7:40 AM IST: Wasim Akram said on air he would have never dropped Younis Khan from the side and would have played him right through. The veteran batsman was left out for the last two matches, before being included today and he has looked pretty good so far.

7:34 AM IST:WICKET!Just when he was looking really good, Sarfraz Nawaz went for a risky double; he was tapped the ball on 48 and in a desperate bid to bring up his 50, chanced David Miller's arm. A great throw enabled Quinton de Kock to whip off the bails with Sarfraz miles away from the crease. Pakistan 92/2 in 16.4 overs.

7:31 AM IST: Sarfraz Nawaz has been in top form today; he slammed JP Duminy for three sixes in the 16th over; two in a row as Pakistan reached 90/1 off 16. This is a great start for Pakistan

7:19 AM IST: Perhaps keeping in mind South Africa's slow over-rate, AB de Villiers brought himself on to bowl; but the skipper ended up giving away nine runs as Younis Khan went past 1000 ODI runs against the Proteas in 40 matches. Pakistan are 54/1 in 12 overs.

7:16 AM IST: Ten runs from Imran Tahir's first over as Pakistan move on to 45/1 off 11. Sarfraz is looking assured in the middle and he will have Younis Khan's experience at the other end.�

Flying Dale: Steyn took a sensational catch to see off Ahmed Shehzad

© AFP

7:07 AM IST: WICKET! Sensational catch from Dale Steyn sees off Ahmed Shehzad. The opener tried to clear short mid-on off the bowling of Kyle Abbott but an air-borne Steyn plucked a catch out of thin air. Pakistan are 30/1 in 8.4 overs.

6:52 AM IST: Pakistan are 17/0 off 5 overs and South Africa have made the first bowling change; Morne Morkel replaces Kyle Abbott.

Abbott makes an unsuccessful appeal vs Sarfraz

© AFP

6:45 AM IST: FOUR! Shehzad opens his account with a boundary off Kyle Abbott; Steyn on the other hand has bowled two maidens. Pakistan have clearly picked up the bowler they want to target today. 12/0 in 3.4 overs

6:35 AM IST: Good first over from Steyn - as expected, he ran in and bowled with a lot of pace; just the one run from the over.

6:30 AM IST: The match is under way. Dale Steyn steams in to bowl to Sarfraz Nawaz. The two teams have clashed three times in World Cups and South Africa have had the better of Pakistan on all occasions.

6:14 AM IST: Here are the playing XIs:
Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Sarfraz Ahmed (WK), Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (C), Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan

South Africa: HM Amla, Q de Kock (WK), F du Plessis, AB de Villiers (C), RR Rossouw, DA Miller, JP Duminy, DW Steyn, KJ Abbott, M Morkel, Imran Tahir

6:05 AM IST: South Africa won the toss and opted to field vs Pakistan. Two major changes in either side. While a fit-again JP Duminy returns for the Proteas, the 1992 world champions have fallen back on the experience of Younis Khan to tackle Dale Steyn & Co.

A file photo of the Pakistan team in acton during the World Cup.

© Getty Images

The Tussle for Knockouts
India have already booked their quarterfinal berth and are most-likely to finish at the top of Pool B. Barring multiple upsets, even South Africa are guaranteed a spot and could finish second. The race for the third and fourth spot is far more intense.
As it stands, West Indies (4 points) occupy the fourth spot with one game (vs UAE in hand). Ireland (4 points) are fifth but have three more games to go while Pakistan are third (4 points) with two matches to go. Pakistan need a win against South Africa to stay alive in World Cup 2015.

Unpredictable Pakistan vs Hungry South Africa
Pakistan hope their resurgence in the World Cup continues against South Africa at Eden Park on Saturday with the Proteas' coach warning of the Asians' "predictable unpredictability".
The 1992 champions need a victory to keep their hopes alive for a quarter-final place after losing their first two games before winning the next two.
Standing between Pakistan and a place in the next round are South Africa and then a dangerous Ireland side but coach Waqar Younis believes his team was peaking at the right time.

Pakistan batsmen need to stay focussed: Javed Miandad
Against a well-oiled bowling unit of South Africa, Pakistan batsmen need to stay focussed and the top order requires to see off the new ball threat of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel to challenge a strong batting lineup led by AB de Villiers. Barring the horrendous batting form of opener Nasir Jamshed, Pakistan batsmen have got runs under their belts in the last two games which must raise their confidence.

My bowlers can stop AB de Villiers! Misbah fires early warning
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq insists his bowlers can slam the brakes on South Africa's batting superstars in Saturday's World Cup clash in Auckland with AB de Villiers their prime target.

‘Steyn’s fire and energy is awesome’ – Behardien

Cold water was poured on Dale Steyn’s preparations for the Ireland game, his 100th in ODIs, when he learned of mountain fires raging in Cape Town, close to his home.
“Massive fire behind my house in Stonehurst! Plz be safe and watch out for the mountain animals trying to escape it, porcupines, tortoises…” he posted on Twitter. “These little animals will also need ur help! Hope the homes don’t get hit!”

Stonehurst Estate is located on the Muizenberg Mountains where multiple blazes sprung on Sunday night, forcing the closure of three main passes and evacuation of people from the their home. By Monday morning, South African firefighters and volunteers were still trying to control the spreading flames.

Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel also live in Cape Town along with Faf du Plessis, the other player to tweet his concern, having recently purchased property close to Steyn’s “Crazy mountain fire near my new house. hope they can stop the fire before it does more damage,” du Plessis said.

Up-country resident Farhaan Behardien hoped troubles back home would not put out the fire in his or Steyn’s approach. “They’ve got people looking after that back in Cape Town, their agents, their people that’s close to them. Of course, it does affect you in some sort of way, but we have quite a strong support structure around us,” Behardien said.

Steyn has yet to hit top gear at the tournament, having taken just a wicket a game so far. He has battled sinusitis and Shikhar Dhawan, before finding some of the inner mongrel against West Indies.

But Steyn is a big occasion player and South Africa are banking on him to step up later in the tournament. “I faced him a few times in the domestic scene, and it’s not fun facing Dale Steyn when he’s at full tilt,” Behardien said. “We all know what a wonderful performer he’s been over the years; 10 years as an international cricketer; No. 1 Test bowler. He’s performed admirably in the one-day circuit, T20s. His fire and his energy that he brings to the bowling unit are awesome.”

For someone who had a decade of experience behind him it may seem strange that Steyn is only about to clock up a century of ODIs, but that is because of how his career has been managed. He made his 50-over debut seven months after his first Test appearance and only featured in four matches in the two years (2005 & 2006) before becoming a regular. He has also been rested on occasions when South Africa thought they could cope without him and keep him fresh for key games.

Steyn’s role has changed from opening the bowling to coming in at first change and controlling at the death and he has adapted to those situations by showing different skill – be it swing, speed or reverse-swing. Behardien expects more of the same on a Canberra pitch where Chris Gayle notched up the competition’s highest score – 215 – especially if South Africa are bowling at night.

“We are looking to him to start the innings off well, whether it be first-change or opening the bowling,” Behardien said. “I think at night the ball tends to skid on a little bit more, which would bring our fast bowlers into contention.”

Although South Africa need Steyn to give them that little something extra to win matches, they also hope to give him something back to celebrate a career which will enjoy a champagne moment, no matter what, in Canberra. “A hundred caps is a wonderful achievement, something I aspire to, something most cricketers aspire to. We’ll try and celebrate his 100th game with a win, and yeah, we’ll be fighting tooth and nail come tomorrow.”

So will the people in Cape Town, hoping to douse the flames that swirling winds and high temperatures continue to spread around Steyn’s beloved home town.

Share This

Ireland face their biggest challenge

The World Cup so far: South Africa, beaten once, Ireland unbeaten.
Predictable as the tournament may have become in some ways, you cannot say you expected to read that. Ireland have also bucked the trend in Australia by chasing a tough target successfully under lights against UAE, one of just two successful pursuits in that part of the draw (the other being India’s against UAE when the lights weren’t needed in Perth).

Victories over West Indies and UAE have left Ireland looking good for the knockouts with half their matches still to play, although they will know their strongest opposition in the group is still to come. That starts in Canberra, where they will take on a South African side sufficiently recovered from a defeat to India and buoyed by their performance over West Indies.

Both sides will clear their own paths to the quarters with a win in this match and South Africa will be the strong favourites to get that. They may even regard their hiccup for the competition over after they dominated West Indies, albeit with an injury setback to JP Duminy and two reserves in the starting XI.
That performance allowed almost all South Africa’s squad members, barring left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso, to find form and they will want nothing more than to take that back to New Zealand especially if they hit cruise control when they get there – and a win over Ireland will allow that.
For Ireland, defeat will not mean disaster but an upset would be another jolt to the global order. It would also maintain them as the only unbeaten team alongside New Zealand and India.

In the spotlight
In a tournament dominated by the batsmen there have been a few outstanding displays from bowlers, but Dale Steyn has yet to have a say. He has a wicket from each of the three games South Africa have played and pulled back his economy rate from more than seven runs an over against Zimbabwe to less than four runs an over against West Indies, but he seems to be missing some of the menace that makes his magic. Steyn has not been as quick or as aggressive as usual and has let some of South Africa’s other bowlers take over from him as the spearhead. But that may all have been part of his warming up and if he is ready to go, opposition line-ups will have something to fear.
Ireland’s batting has proved, twice in this tournament alone, that they can stand up for themselves so it will be up to their bowlers to step up. George Dockrell is their highest wicket-taker with four scalps while Max Sorensen leads their pack. South Africa do not struggle against either left-arm spin or pace but have been known to be outthought by craftiness and guile, which is what Ireland’s pack will need to find to keep them quiet.

Team news
Vernon Philander and JP Duminy are still recovering from hamstring and side strains respectively and South Africa will likely take the cautious approach over their availability. That should give Rilee Rossouw and Kyle Abbott another opportunity after both performed impressively against West Indies. South Africa may still be deciding between which allrounder to use with Farhaan Behardien and Wayne Parnell the candidates.
South Africa 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 Rilee Rossouw, 5 AB de Villiers (capt), 6 David Miller, 7 Farhaan Behardien/Wayne Parnell, 8 Kyle Abbott, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir

Ireland have no reason to alter a strong batting line-up and will likely stick with the same attack they used against West Indies. Alex Cusack came in for Andy McBrine and they may want the extra seamer rather than slower bowler given the surface.
Ireland 1 Williams Porterfield (capt), 2 Paul Stirling, 3 Ed Joyce, 4 Niall O’Brien, 5 Andy Balbirnie, 6 Gary Wilson (wk), 7 Kevin O’Brien, 8 John Mooney, 9 Alex Cusack, 10 Max Sorenson, 11 George Dockrell

Pitch and conditions
Although Afghanistan made run scoring look like hard work at this venue, this was the surface Chris Gayle plundered 200 runs on a week ago. Zimbabwe responded with a total just shy of 300. A flat pitch and fast outfield should provide plenty more runs as the tournament says goodbye to the Australian capital. Warm weather of 29 degrees is forecast with no rain.

Letter to de Villiers

South Africa’s captain needs to single out his players for attention and get them firing individually and as a team

Dear AB,

You might have picked up that pre-tournament my head predicted you boys to win this baby, while my heart, naturally, is dressed in black.

Don’t be sad, AB. So far you’ve dropped a few backers, looked pretty ordinary at times, but I’m holding fast. And if I had a quiet moment with you, then this is what I would offer, for what it’s worth.

Firstly, and most important of all, any success of the highest order is down to bold, courageous leadership. You guys should know; you had one of the best of all time – Nelson Mandela. So my first little tip is to acknowledge that bold leadership is your domain. This is your time to march them out, take them home. The skipper in black has already assumed that role and is mounting an assault, just as Edmund Hillary did. On your side, if I were you, AB, I’d reach out and feel the presence of Madiba.

Next, your key role is to find each person’s button and press it firmly. Look them in the eye and implore that they reveal their individual expression to fit perfectly within the team endeavour. Press the button: it’s green (with a yellow stripe).

Let me start with the critical aspect of leadership – tactics. Your bowling attack needs tweaking, so open your mind to a few ideas and see if AD agrees.

One of the roles you have to get right is the fourth seamer. Wayne Parnell is your man. Trouble is, he is a rogue and can go walkabout, but he’s likeable and eager, and if his button is correctly pushed, he will be a massive positive for the rocky road ahead. So open with him, giving him a chance to swing the ball, to feel important. Remove his fear, free him to be the best he can be. Rest Vernon for ten days, freshen him up for the last four games of the Cup. But empower Wayne to be the man he can be, steer him down the path of fulfilment. He can bat at eight with purpose. His button is your main priority.

Get Dale to relax, get rid of the stunned mullet look, get him looser. His wrist-snap is missing, the venom of old lacking. His body looks tight, with the will spilling over, over-stretched, so give him a list of different roles for a few games: open one day, bowl from middle to death on another. Get him challenged on different fronts to keep him fresh, not thinking too much, just lots of doing and being the class act he is.

Same with Morne. Change when and where he bowls from one game to another. These guys are experienced, they need to enjoy the game for a period, get the right juices flowing. Let them have turns opening with Wayne, trying a combo or two to scene-set by attacking with vigour.

Oh, I love Imran. What a big heart. If only you had 11 of him. He has been through so much and still keeps fighting on. He’s your go-to guy, your banker, so be grateful he is in fluent form.

JP has to drop this flat rubbish he’s bowling. Get him back to flighting the ball sweetly, dipping to create bounce, as he can. Tell him to take wickets, to attack, to be flamboyant. Inspire him.

Hey, and when it feels right, bowl an over yourself. Get that smile back on your face. Roll the dice: six balls, one wicket. No one will dare to get out to your slow straight dobblies. Nothing to lose for an over, and if you play Rilee at seven for a game as you rest Vernon, then you become the sixth bowler.

You have the attack, now you need to manipulate it better.

Hashim is your right-hand man, a beautifully strong, resilient player, so don’t be afraid to ask him to carry more of the load. Tell him to take his time, anchor and secure the innings. He must bat through in his well-grooved tempo, not in this frenetic mood he seems to be in at present.

When it feels right, bowl an over yourself. Get that smile back on your face. Roll the dice: six balls, one wicket. No one will dare to get out to your slow straight dobblies

Tell young Quinton to clear the mind a little, not premeditate so much, as it roots the feet to the spot. Tell him to breathe deep and let the feet find fluency, then the hitting and timing will return. He’s a critical cog in the wheel. Breathe and believe.

I’m worried about Faf, your long-time sparring partner. He’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders, plus a small chip that needs removing. You are the one that needs to pull it out, as I sense it’s there because you have left him so far behind over this decade. Encourage him to drop the burden he appears to be carrying, let him know that he can have some of your runs this tournament. That you can bat side by side, brothers in arms. You need him to be free.

Have a shave, AB, you look ragged and rattled. Smarten up. A touch of polish is required. Since that 31-ball ton, you have got a bit sloppy. You need to be all things in all situations. You need to lead like never before. Take a leap of faith. Feel Mandela in your bones.

It’s you and you only who can push the buttons of your comrades. Black buttons are being pushed over the ditch, and you need to match it.

Four matches left in the round robin, so try a few subtle changes and freshen up the senior men and empower some key young talents. Chill, mate. Whistle a tune as you start pressing buttons.

It’s all good. Plenty of time to pick up the pace. But I wouldn’t waste another moment, eh.

Respect,
A big fan

بھارتی میڈیا ورلڈ کپ کو فکسڈ کہنے لگا، جنوبی افریقہ کو چیمپئن بنا دیا

بھارتی میڈیا ورلڈ کپ کو "فکسڈ" کہنے لگا ایک میسج نے جنوبی افریقہ یعنی چوکرز کو چیمپئن بنا دیا۔

نیو دہلی: (دنیا نیوز) بھارتی میڈیا کے مطابق آئی سی سی کا کرکٹ ایونٹ لکھے لکھائے نتائج کے مطابق چل رہا ہے ابھی تک کے تمام رزلٹس وہی ہیں جو پہلے سے بتائے گئے۔ آئندہ کے میچوں کے حوالے سے انکشاف کیا گیا کہ بھارت اپنے اعزاز کا دفاع نہیں کر پائے گا حتیٰ کہ جنوبی افریقہ اور بے بی ٹیم زمبابوے بھی ٹیم انڈیا کا غرور خاک کر دے گی۔ اس میسج کی ہو شربا خبر یہ بھی ہے کہ دفاعی چیمپئن بھارت کوارٹر فائنل تو نیوزی لینڈ سے جیت جائے گا لیکن سیمی فائنل میں کینگروز کے سامنے گھٹنے ٹیک دے گا ۔ کوارٹر فائنلز کے ونرز میں آسٹریلیا اور جنوبی افریقہ کا نام لیا گیا ہے جبکہ سری لنکن بھی پاکستان کو شکست دے کر سیمی فائنل تک رسائی حاصل کریں گے۔ خاص بات یہ کہی گئی ہے کہ فیصلہ کن میدان جنوبی افریقہ اور میزبان آسٹریلیا کے درمیان لگے گا اور اس سے بھی بڑی بات یہ کہ کرکٹ کی تاریخ میں چوکرز کے نام سے