Proteas must go big or go home on Sunday
In Birmingham
SOUTH Africa’s quest to get to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy has been lifted by a thunderous Thursday in the tournament.
Somehow, and by quite some comfort Sri Lanka defeated India, to blow Group B wide open. Wide, wide open. Suddenly, India against South Africa on Sunday, and Sri Lanka and Pakistan a day later, both become straight quarter-finals.
It would be a shame for the weather to get in the way of full matches, because they both have the potential to be absolute nail biters.
Every team is alive again, their destiny solely in their own hands, and it is now a question of nerve under pressure.
The manner of Sri Lanka’s chase against India was so clinical that it would have knocked Pakistan off their confidence perch.
They have a real scrap on their hands come Monday.
But, naturally, all eyes will be on The Oval first. One of India or South Africa – both title contenders, to be sure – must be eliminated before the last four. Consider that for a moment. If Virat Kohli remains, there will be no Quinton de Kock. Should Kagiso Rabada sail through, the vessel of Ravichandran Ashwin must be docked and left to rot in regret harbour.
These are big names, with glittering records, and they are littered across both squads.
South Africa have more reason to be concerned than India, before the showdown.
AB de Villiers has been struck by the Proteas’ hamstring curse, and is a doubt for Sunday.
He will be given to the very last minute, of course, but there is genuine concern about the manner he immediately pulled up, early in the Pakistan innings.
He went to slip, then tried to run it off. But the tweak persists, and there is worry in the ranks.
South Africa didn’t train on Thursday as they travelled back to London from Birmingham, but they would have trained with an eye on events across town.
They would have noted Indian frailty in the face of brave, but calculated batsmanship, and they would have done well to note also the way Sri Lanka refused to panic with ball in hand.
At a stage, it looked as if India may flatten their way out of sight, given the platform they had built. But, Angelo Mathews kept his cool, and his bowlers responded. In turn, Mathews and the willow wielders produced a chase that the now retired Kumar Sangakarra would have beamed at, especially on his adopted home turf of south London.
The Lankans gave the blue- print, and South Africa must do likewise.
Of course, the task becomes considerably tighter without De Villiers, who is overdue a knock of authority on a stage that demands star power.
They will give his hamstring till the toss to prove itself, because the feeling is that De Villiers on one leg is a better bet than most men on two.
He is due, make no mistake about that.
India know that, and world cricket knows it, too.
Over this middling weekend, there will be high profile casualties in this intriguing tournament.
By Sunday, one of India or South Africa will be on the – L Plunkett (England) – J Hazlewood (Australia) – A Milne (New Zealand) M Starc (Australia) Hasan Ali (Pakistan) scrap heap, and the last four will go on without them.
South Africa woke in Birmingham yesterday in despair, but they toss today with a spring in their step.
The end is nearing, but it is all in their hands now.
From here on, they need to produce their best cricket.
Nothing less will do.