New Delhi: “Favourites”. It’s a mark that falls heavily on the South African team’s shoulders given their history of choking out in ICC global events. However, the new-look team appears to have turned over a new leaf after ending their title drought by winning the World Test Championship (WTC) title at Lord’s last June.Eight months later, Aiden Markramled’s side look set to cruise towards another T20 World Cup title and remain the only unbeaten side in the tournament. South Africa have already clinched their place in the semi-finals by winning all six of their matches and reducing their final Super 8 match against Zimbabwe here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday to an insignificant match.
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While South African batting coach Ashwell Prince did not want to look too far ahead, he admitted that the WTC win had instilled a lot of belief in the team’s quest for its maiden world title in the limited-overs format. “Getting over the line at the World Trade Center was a big moment for us as a country and for this group of players, which is very much the same group of players. Quinny (Quinton de Kock) is back in this format and brings with him a lot of experience, which adds to the experience of those players who played the Test Championship final.”
What that creates is a lot of trust and confidence. “There’s a lot of belief in your teammates that when they have the moment, they can step up and perform,” he said.With the exception of the win over Afghanistan, which they triumphed in the Super Cup, South Africa destroyed their opponents with ruthless efficiency. This outfit doesn’t rely on individual brilliance, it looks like a well-oiled unit. The top order featuring Markram, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton has given their side a flying start in the majority of matches.
When they failed, the middle class, especially David Miller and Dewald Previs, zealously counterattacked. The team’s hard-hitting Tristan Stubbs provided the finishing touches.However, it is their bowling attack that gives the Proteas the edge. Although Kagiso Rabada was not at his best, the fast bowling trio of Lungi Ngidi, Marko Janssen and Corbin Bush made up for it by taking 31 of the 45 wickets taken by South Africa in this tournament.
The only blip in the clinical performance by the Markram-led side was their catch. They have dropped no less than eight goals in six matches, which is completely uncharacteristic of the South African side.On the other hand, having set foot on Indian soil for the Super 8 stage of the competition, Zimbabwe’s spirited campaign has begun. Having already been eliminated in the semi-finals, the Zimbabweans were unable to maintain their grip on their rivals as they did on the sluggish Sri Lankan tracks in the group stage.