What-ifs are dangerous business. South Africa will know. Had Hashim Amla, one of their best fielders, held on to a tough chance from Shikhar Dhawan when he was on 53, South Africa may have been preparing to play Bangladesh on Thursday. Instead, they will now face Sri Lanka, among the toughest opponents at this stage and a team, who unlike South Africa, have made it a habit of excelling at world tournaments.
Their head-to-head record suggests that we’re in for a very tight game. South Africa have won 28 of the 59 games played between the two countries; Sri Lanka have won 29. In ICC tournaments though, South Africa have won 4 out of the 7 games played, losing 2 and tying 1.
Logic dictates that South Africa take belief out of this superior record. Ironically, they’ll probably not want to glance at this record right now. In South African cricketing folklore, ties have come to be associated with too much heartburn.
That time in 2003
Rewind to the 2003 World Cup. South Africa playing at home, desperately looking to shake off the nightmare of 1999. Boucher and Pollock looking good, amidst the swirling rain. Boucher hitting a six in the fourth delivery of the 45th over, then mistakenly believing that his team had done enough, just patting the next ball away for a dot. The horror at the realisation that it was not enough and that, South Africa had, yet again, conspired to discover another way to be knocked out of a World Cup.
Twelve years have passed to that day and South Africa have still not managed to win a knockout game at the tournament. They have looked especially shaky in this tournament. They were billed as the trail-blazers of the tournament but have fallen way, way short of expectation. India were supposed to be summarily dispatched, Pakistan toyed with; South Africa spluttered and coughed and finally collapsed against both of them. Man-to-man, they are unbeatable but right now, they look rickety.
The Lankan rhythm
Sri Lanka will know this. The Islanders have settled into a good rhythm, after that initial scare against Afghanistan and the loss of key players to injuries. Sangakkara is in the type of form which can single-handedly win you games. Dilshan is in good touch. And then there’s still Jayawardene who’s due a big one.
The bowling doesn’t look as strong, mainly because Malinga has still not found his groove. Against South Africa though, he may be licking his lips: he took out 4 South African batsmen in 4 balls in 2007. Pace bowlers are always regarded as a temperamental lot; if Malinga gets some of those deadly yorkers in place, the Sri Lanka bowling automatically becomes dangerous. Then there’s the Herath factor as well; South Africa have never been very comfortable against spin and Herath will fancy his prospects against them.
Compared to the other quarter-finals, this one is probably the most evenly-matched. Sri Lanka may be just a toe ahead, but that’s just about it. Here’s another interesting dimension to the match: just in case, just in case, it ends in a tie (it’s South Africa, they have a habit of it!), South Africa will not have cause to mourn this time. They’ll go though on account of finishing higher than Sri Lanka in the group stage.
South Africa have one more shot at redemption. Sangakkara has his final shot at World Cup glory. Only one will be able to win.
Their head-to-head record suggests that we’re in for a very tight game. South Africa have won 28 of the 59 games played between the two countries; Sri Lanka have won 29. In ICC tournaments though, South Africa have won 4 out of the 7 games played, losing 2 and tying 1.
Logic dictates that South Africa take belief out of this superior record. Ironically, they’ll probably not want to glance at this record right now. In South African cricketing folklore, ties have come to be associated with too much heartburn.
The notice in The Times on March 13.
That time in 2003
Rewind to the 2003 World Cup. South Africa playing at home, desperately looking to shake off the nightmare of 1999. Boucher and Pollock looking good, amidst the swirling rain. Boucher hitting a six in the fourth delivery of the 45th over, then mistakenly believing that his team had done enough, just patting the next ball away for a dot. The horror at the realisation that it was not enough and that, South Africa had, yet again, conspired to discover another way to be knocked out of a World Cup.
Twelve years have passed to that day and South Africa have still not managed to win a knockout game at the tournament. They have looked especially shaky in this tournament. They were billed as the trail-blazers of the tournament but have fallen way, way short of expectation. India were supposed to be summarily dispatched, Pakistan toyed with; South Africa spluttered and coughed and finally collapsed against both of them. Man-to-man, they are unbeatable but right now, they look rickety.
The Lankan rhythm
Sri Lanka will know this. The Islanders have settled into a good rhythm, after that initial scare against Afghanistan and the loss of key players to injuries. Sangakkara is in the type of form which can single-handedly win you games. Dilshan is in good touch. And then there’s still Jayawardene who’s due a big one.
The bowling doesn’t look as strong, mainly because Malinga has still not found his groove. Against South Africa though, he may be licking his lips: he took out 4 South African batsmen in 4 balls in 2007. Pace bowlers are always regarded as a temperamental lot; if Malinga gets some of those deadly yorkers in place, the Sri Lanka bowling automatically becomes dangerous. Then there’s the Herath factor as well; South Africa have never been very comfortable against spin and Herath will fancy his prospects against them.
Compared to the other quarter-finals, this one is probably the most evenly-matched. Sri Lanka may be just a toe ahead, but that’s just about it. Here’s another interesting dimension to the match: just in case, just in case, it ends in a tie (it’s South Africa, they have a habit of it!), South Africa will not have cause to mourn this time. They’ll go though on account of finishing higher than Sri Lanka in the group stage.
South Africa have one more shot at redemption. Sangakkara has his final shot at World Cup glory. Only one will be able to win.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!