Can Netherlands shock red-hot South Africa as soon as once more?

“The only thing the past gives us is learning.”

South Africa head coach Rob Walter was speaking about his facet’s defeat to Netherlands on the 2022 T20 World Cup when he shared this aphorism. South Africa weren’t solely shocked however knocked out of the event. But, Walter mentioned, they’ve learnt their lesson.
So when the 2 sides meet in Dharamsala on Tuesday, South Africa won’t be Netherlands as a weaker opponent. At the identical time, they shouldn’t be below any stress. This time it is a longer format, which reduces the possibilities of an upset. When these sides performed two ODIs earlier this 12 months, South Africa thrashed Netherlands by eight wickets and 146 runs.
An even bigger cause, maybe, is South Africa’s latest kind – they’re on a five-match successful streak. In every of these video games, they batted first, smashed greater than 300, crossed 400 twice, and gained by 100-plus runs. Arguably, they’ve the strongest batting unit at this World Cup. Since the beginning of 2023, ten batters have scored 400 or extra ODI runs at a mean above 50 and a strike fee over 100. Four of them are from South Africa: Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen. Quinton de Kock, with 552 runs at 46.00 and 97.52, is not too far behind both.
What about Netherlands’ probabilities then? They have misplaced each of their matches to this point on this World Cup, however have proven battle. To win, nonetheless, they should put collectively all three phases of the sport, as their batter Colin Ackermann famous after the New Zealand loss.
For inspiration, they can also have a look at the previous. If it may be performed as soon as, it may be performed once more. And they do not even should restrict their timeframe. They solely want to have a look at Afghanistan, who toppled defending champions England on Sunday.

Netherlands LLLWW (final 5 ODIs, most up-to-date first)
South Africa WWWWW

In the highlight: Bas de Leede and Quinton de Kock

Quinton de Kock is burning the brightest in his remaining ODI World Cup. He had performed 17 World Cup matches earlier than this version however could not rating 100. Now he has two in two. Since the beginning of 2021, he has been equally aggressive in opposition to tempo and spin, which has helped him rating at higher than run a ball not simply within the powerplay but additionally within the center overs. South Africa will anticipate him to set the tone as soon as once more.
Bas de Leede has been distinctive for Netherlands this 12 months. It was his five-for and blazing hundred in opposition to Scotland that helped Netherlands qualify for the World Cup. Then, in his facet’s opening sport right here, he picked up a four-for and struck 67 in opposition to Pakistan. Overall, he averages 46.25 with the bat and 22.90 with the ball in 2023. If Netherlands are to beat South Africa, they are going to require an identical efficiency from him.

The solely query for South Africa is that if they wish to herald quick bowler Gerald Coetzee for left-arm wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi. The reply may lie within the circumstances.

South Africa (possible): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Temba Bavuma (capt), 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 David Miller, 6 Heinrich Klaasen, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Tabraiz Shamsi/Gerald Coetzee

Logan van Beek missed the New Zealand sport with a hamstring damage. If he’s match, he may are available in for Ryan Klein. The remainder of the facet is prone to be unchanged.

Netherlands (possible): 1 Vikramjit Singh, 2 Max O’Dowd, 3 Colin Ackermann, 4 Bas de Leede, 5 Teja Nidamanuru, 6 Scott Edwards (capt & wk), 7 Sybrand Engelbrecht, 8 Roelof van der Merwe, 9 Logan van Beek/Ryan Klein, 10 Aryan Dutt, 11 Paul van Meekeren

Pitch and circumstances: Dharamsala outfield below scanner

Dharamsala has hosted two matches to this point on this World Cup. On each events, the groups had been extra involved in regards to the substandard outfield than the pitch. While Bavuma mentioned the outfield did not really feel as dangerous when South Africa did their fielding follow on Sunday, the gamers will probably be cautious whereas diving round.

There have been mild showers within the final couple of days, and the forecast for Tuesday afternoon is comparable.

“To go back to what has been said regarding our brand of cricket, us being opportunistic as batters, as bowlers, looking to take the game on. That obviously means that the strike rates will be a bit higher. If you look at our top six, top seven, all of the guys really have been striking at high strike rates. It’s just more a matter of us keeping up the intent, looking for opportunities to put bowlers under pressure and obviously backing our skills and execution. So, coming into the World Cup, nothing is going to be different. We’re going to keep going the same way. We’re going to keep backing that.”
Temba Bavuma on his facet’s intent with the bat

Source web site: www.espncricinfo.com

Rating
( No ratings yet )
Loading...