South Africa should still beat NZ and England and qualify for the semis. Better to choke now than in the semis as they usu. do!
Re: Champions Trophy - Group B: South Africa v Sri Lanka @ Centurion, Sep 22
^ Don't bet on it. :)
^ What makes you think they won't choke against them as well. :)
Re: Champions Trophy - Group B: South Africa v Sri Lanka @ Centurion, Sep 22
*i was hoping to see a nail biter
*
Re: Champions Trophy - Group B: South Africa v Sri Lanka @ Centurion, Sep 22
142/5 off 26.4 overs.
Re: Champions Trophy - Group B: South Africa v Sri Lanka @ Centurion, Sep 22
*need 175 from 22 overs
*
Re: Champions Trophy - Group B: South Africa v Sri Lanka @ Centurion, Sep 22
Entertainment from the word GO. :)
I hope Pakistan take WI game seriously as in the end it might come down to RR ...
Re: Champions Trophy - Group B: South Africa v Sri Lanka @ Centurion, Sep 22
163/6.
Looks like a big defeat coming up for SA.
Re: Champions Trophy - Group B: South Africa v Sri Lanka @ Centurion, Sep 22
First "up set" ...well sort of as per all the pundits :)
Re: Champions Trophy - Group B: South Africa v Sri Lanka @ Centurion, Sep 22
wow SA losing
have to admit SL's oneday performace is pretty good
Re: Champions Trophy - Group B: South Africa v Sri Lanka @ Centurion, Sep 22
SL win by 55 runs under D/L method.
Some comments on cricinfo:
South Africa cannot blame the toss for this. They simply lost to a far superior team. They were also exposed by Mendis, a bowler they haven't seen too much of. His dismissal of Smith was the turning point. Let's not forget Angelo Mathews, who seems to feature in every other dismissal. The Sri Lankan batting looks very healthy, an improvement from last year when they lost 4-1 to India at home. The big difference between then and now is the form of Jayawardene.
They may have lost the Compaq Cup, but their performance today will send out warning signs to the rest.
South Africa have some work to do. But you can expect them to bounce back.
*Marco: "South Africans have egg on their face after widely proclaiming to the media the past few days that they are the team to beat and that their time has come in this tournament. A big loss for the world's #1 team - bound to happen after ridiculous statements like those." *
Bilal Mohideen, from Sri Lanka: "Trevor and Rob, I think you'll just have to accept the fact that SA was beaten by a better team. Appreciate how well SL played rather than depreciating SA. SL is after all the best fielding team in the tournament possessing not just the best spin attack but the number 1 ODI bowler as well. Oh..and not forgetting to mention that we have the most inform player in the game at the moment in Dilshan!"
Back to the mails. Here's Trevor Chesterfield again: "Have to agree with Rob. South Africa were decidedly underdone - mentally and physically; they lacked urgency and sharpness in the field where they have performed; the bowlers generally didn't find the right length, Parnell especially, and Rob Petersen for Botha? Not too sure on that one. But it is a serious wake up for the team. They needed a couple of games at least. Don't forget that Sri Lanka have come off almost 10 weeks of 5 Tests and a host of ODIs and other slogs. Always an advantage. This will be their first win at Centurion."
Rob: "South Africa have been hammered in this match. Their fielding was lazy, they bowled pooly, and their batting was even worse. They need to make some changes. First of all, Ntini should replace Parnell. He is South Africa's most experienced bowler and he deserves a chance. Robin Peterson should come in for Botha because he adds some stability to the batting line up, and hopefully Gibbs will be fit to replace Amla."