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| Sunday, 5 February 2006 |
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Proteas ready to re-group From Elmo Rodrigopulle in Australia Sydney, Saturday - The South Africans who were destroyed by the Australian strike force on Friday at the Telstra Dome, are determined to regroup and hit back hard when they play the baggy green caps in another day-nighter at the Sydney Cricket Ground, here tomorrow. The Proteas will be keen to try and get the better of the Australians, and if they succeed they will be through to the best of three finals and end their anxiety. If they fail in their bid, they will then play the Sri Lankans in Hobart which game should be a cracker, with the winners walking into the finals. The South Africans were bashed at the Telstra by the amazing efforts of Andrew Symonds and Michael Hussey who smashed a sixth wicket partnership of 109 in 76 balls when the Aussies were struggling at 167 for 5,and then by the frightening pace of Brett Lee who had figures of 4 for 30 in 10. If the Aussies were to perform a similar act in Sydney and win, then it would be difficult for the South Africans to raise their game against the Sri Lankans when they play their vital clash in Hobart on Tuesday. If the form in which the Aussies are playing is an indication, then there would be no stopping them, and the South Africans would be also rans. There is no doubt that the Proteas are missing the all-round ability of Jaques Kallis. Kallis was their prop and his elbow injury has weakened them in all aspects. In addition the South Africans have been in Australia, criss-crossing the country and playing cricket for the last three months and they must be a tired lot. However they are not going to make this an excuse. They would like to end the tour in a blaze of glory by entering the best of three finals and winning it if possible. The Aussies have the right to choose who they would like to play in the finals. But whoever it maybe, the Aussies have the ammunition to shoot them down. The Aussies have not decided whether to play Brett Lee and give him the much needed rest or to bring in Glen McGrath who is by the side of his wife who has had a recurrence of a cancer problem. Of the South Africans, Smith especially will be hoping that the Aussies would rest Lee. Smith has been Lee's bunny. Belinda Bennett, media coordinator, Cricket Australia when contacted said that the selectors have not yet decided on the final eleven, but would do so on the morning of the match,just before the toss. However the team winning the toss would certainly have an advantage. Batting on it first would make stroke making and the accumulating of runs easy and as the wicket begins to wear the spinners could make life difficult for the batsmen. The Lankans who arrived in Perth yesterday, would be getting down to the
nets immediately and putting the final touches to their strategy, but
remaining on tenterhooks and glued to their TVs eagerly awaiting the outcome
of the clash in Sydney. |
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