T20 World Cup awaits and Super 18 thoughts | Moonstone
Somehow, losing the T20 series against Australia was not such a gut-wrenching experience as defeat against our favourite foe normally is.
In a way, it was more like trials to determine form shortly before the T20 World Cup.
An undoubted highlight is the form of Hashim Amla plus the fact that Miller appears to have regained his mojo. It is not clear whether the batting line-up has been finalised, particularly as far as the opening pair is concerned. The strongest contenders must be De Kock and Amla, with AB also in the running, despite his first-baller in Durban. The first 6 overs are crucial, and it is reassuring that AB did well in India, and Faf du Plessis is also back on song.
The bowling is more of a concern, given that we were unable to defend two decent scores in the last two matches. Here we will need some cool heads and lots of guts. With Phangiso having been cleared after he reconstructed his bowling action, we appear to be OK in this department, although his confidence will be tested. Hopefully the warm-up matches will provide the platform for this.
Form in South Africa should not be the only measure when selecting the side to play in India. Our recent success in this format of the game against the host nation should also guide the selectors. Experience, and success, in the IPL series is another consideration.
Finally: what would Chris Morris be called if his bowling action was found to be illegal?
Superrugby na twee rondtes
Kommentators is dit eens dat die Leeus tans die pas aangee wat SA spanne betref, veral na hul oorwinning teen die Chiefs verlede week. Hul selfvrtroue het ‘n heerlike hupstoot gekry vir die wedstryd teen die Highlanders die komende naweek en dit is beslis een wedstryd wat ek nie gaan mis nie. Dis nogal belangrik dat die Leeus hul voete plat op die aarde hou – hulle puik samespel is ‘n voortvloeisel van die feit dat hulle die Curriebeker kon gebruik ter voorbereiding, terwyl die ander spanne nog werk aan hul kohesie. Vorentoe gaan die res net beter raak.
Die wedstryd tussen die Sharks en die Stormers behoort ‘n taai een te wees. Met drie van land se top slotte in aksie verwag ek vuurwerke. My vermoede is dat Eben Etzebeth se humeur getoets gaan word. Ek kan nie wag om daardie “Kom probeer” glimlag op sy gesig te sien as die manne hom wil aanvat nie – selfs Chuck Norris sou vir ‘n oomblik aarsel.
Die Cheetahs gaan waarskynlik meer deur vlugflouheid as die Sunwolves getoets word. Hulle het gister vertrek, en is reeds Sondag weer terug. Dit behoort ook ‘n baie aanskoulike wedstryd te wees. Sterkte, manne.
Die Kings gaan teen ‘n omgekrapte Chiefs span te staan kom. Aaron Cruden sal wil vergoed vir die wyse waarop hy verlede naweek deur Elton Jantjies oorskadu is, en dit voorspel niks goeds vir die manne van die Oos-Kaap nie.
Nou ja, rugby is terug, en die Kaap is weer Hollands.
Lekker sportnaweek, ou Grote.
Proteas, Super 18, T20 World Cup