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Lords of the Latitudes - the Proteas loom over India
South Africa have shown they are good tourists with wins in Pakistan and Bangladesh. The India series beckons with the Proteas in confident mood.
by Greg Smith on 28 February 2008
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The Proteas have backed up their claim as the most successful non-subcontinental nation to play in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India.
The constitution of your average cricket player is a delicate thing. The 'western' cricketer is especially prone to being overpowered when faced with an assault of foreign conditions in the subcontinent. Sights, sounds and the atmosphere itself collude to make players from genteel England, New Zealand and Australia show their less dynamic nature and immature immunity.
Africans and particularly South Africans are a much more hardy, mature and dynamically tuned lot. The Proteas, through their latest success in Bangladesh, re-affirmed their ability to tour well in all conditions. They have raked up victories in Pakistan and Bangladesh to support the contention that they are the TOP team when it comes to the touring the subcontinent.
India will not be able to hide in the comfort of their traditional home advantage - the South Africans are equally at home here. The Proteas also have mature immune systems forged in African conditions which also help to ensure the players are not victims of infamous 'Delhi Belly' type Indian bugs. This maturity, along with the dynamic nature of the South African nation itself, stacks the odds in favour of a clean-sweep of India.
India have had a difficult tour of Australia, and South African coach Gary Kirsten will be working hard to get the squad ready to face the Proteas. South Africa are on a high and will will be re-writing the book on how to clean up in Asia Minor, with Pakistan and Bangladesh already in this season's bag.
The title 'Lords of the Latitudes' is also up for grabs, with South Africa hoping to dominate in one season.
Comments (6)
by Partha Rajagopal on February 28, 2008
I like the spirit Greg. But over-confidence can have adverse effects. Ask Steve Waugh about the story on how his ship was burnt by Ganguly's team. Though India did not dominate Australia in the recent series, they did take the fight into the Aussie camp - something no other team has been able to do for a long time. I expect a tough competition. But a clean sweep? Dreams can be entertaining.
by Devesh Rao on February 28, 2008
that was the morning alarm going off greg, time to go to nets... enough of wet dreams.... by the way all the best. Give us a good fight.
by Natalie Gentle on February 29, 2008
There is a fine line between postive thinking and Overconfidence...India is a hard task for any team. A clean sweep would be fab, but I think the team would settle for a drawn series. We do have a new balance within the team with the inclusion of Harris but would he really know how to explote the conditions? I think that India or England shouldn't be our main concern - good practice though for the battle with Australia on their home soil!
by Partha Rajagopal on February 29, 2008
If any team can beat Australia on a consistent basis, then that will improve cricket tremendously. Australians need to be challenged so that they can fine tune their skills. I am glad India has done that. But it will make them work harder and the challenge will become even more interesting. Harris is no Warne and Warne was buried in India when he toured there. Even Muralitharan has not won a match for Sri Lanka in India. South Africa needs to develop all round skills. They are improving and that is good for cricket. Hoping for a draw is not the sign of a team that claims to be world champions of the future. Look at the Aussies. They do not approach any game that way and every match has to be won no matter where it is played. That attitude will make a team into a champion.
by big ted on March 03, 2008
greggy boy your stylish prose will win through in the end. I think max is just pointing out that your claim is rubbish. No need to take offence, and lose your rag.
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