Good afternoon and welcome to The Roar‘s coverage of Match 13 of the 2015 Cricket World Cup featuring South Africa up against India at the MCG. You can follow the live scores and coverage from 2:30pm (AEDT) and leave your comments below.
One of the best stadiums in the world will play host to two of the favourites for this year’s title, in what is sure to be one of the games of the tournament.
With a win already under their belts, South Africa and India will be looking to cement their place at the top of the leader board in Pool B.
While India were short on form in the lead up to the World Cup, their convincing win against Pakistan – to a global audience of no less than 1 billion – has silenced detractors, at least for now.
Continuing his incredible summer with the bat, Virat Kholi impressed with a century. Perhaps more impressive though were the performances of Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, whose combined strike rate of 114.1 allowed Kholi to hit the ball with patience and composure.
India’s bowlers played their part, too. Pakistan were disappointed that they were not only unable to chase down 300 runs, but fell 76 runs short. Umesh Yadev and Ravindra Jadeja combined for a lightning spell, in which three Pakistani batsmen were sent back to the change rooms in the space of nine balls.
And just as the Indian batsmen worked as a team to ensure that Kholi could make a classy century, the Indian bowlers all showed great intent to dismantle Pakistan. Ashwin, for example, only took the one wicket, but three of his eight overs were maidens – an extraordinary feat in the modern one-day game.
It will be interesting to see whether the Indian bowlers can continue this form into today’s match against one of the most feared and revered batting line ups in the world.
AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla – ranked by the ICC as the number 1 and 2 ODI batsmen – are a formidable duo. Their ability to pile on runs at lightning speed is extraordinary. I need not remind you of de Villiers world record breaking century off a mere 31 balls set in January this year… scary.
The bad news for India is that, against Pakistan, neither de Villiers nor Amla were at their best. David Miller (138 not out) and JP Duminy (115) were the ones breaking records and Pakistani hearts, combining for an unprecedented fifth wicket partnership of 256.
In a similar fashion to de Villiers and Amla, neither Dale Steyn nor Morne Morkel were as effective with the ball as they usually are, with spinner Imran Tahir the most economic, picking up three wickets for 36 runs.
I’d expect Steyn and Morkel to fire today, which may spell even more bad news for India.
It may surprise you to learn that despite winning the World Cup twice, India have never beaten South Africa in a World Cup. South Africa, however, are yet to win a World Cup and are desperately trying to break that drought and the shackles of being labelled ‘chokers’.
Prediction: In a match that will go down to the last few overs, South Africa will prevail and go to the top of the leader board for Pool B.
Ayush singh
Guest
Good play
sd
Guest
you are biggest joke on the earth final will be between aus and rsa and aus will win for aure hhhaaahah india it was proteas habbit of choking vs aus india ? bahahahha
Prosenjit
Guest
Ernest suggestion to icc: carry out fair n transparent dope tests during the world cup..don't care if the players are from australia, india,england or south africa or uae, don't just look for money and let honest players and teams win it.thanks.
Vic
Guest
Ask the politicians, Digger
Don Freo
Guest
Makes a big difference when Dharwan tries to play cricket instead of that ridiculous posey arrogance he tried on field against Australia. That attitude of a privileged Indian aristocracy. We could just see him shrinking smaller and smaller into insignificance because he was unable to live up to his image of himself. After failing so many times with the bat and dropping so many catches, he has finally stopped trying to big note himself. When he plays cricket, in the spirit of the game, he can be quite significant in any game.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Good wrap up. Was Dhawan really in bad form though? RSA don't look that strong. Seems like it's Aus and NZ that are the only contenders at this stage.
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
Dylan Matthews
Roar Guru
Another poor effort by the Proteas on the big world cup stage.
Jo M
Guest
You know what? It's one game and maybe that is the one they had to have now. They won't play that poorly again.
Jo M
Guest
Very true, but they usually don't lose that many do they?
JT
Guest
Just getting the choke out of the way early this time!
mukesh
Guest
Great win keep it up every Indian is with u guys Gud luck. chuk de India
Don Freo
Guest
I think the bookmakers are unaware that Kallis is no longer playing.
Don Freo
Guest
Favourites among the minnows? If you have Dale Steyn, Morkel and Tahir in the same batting line up, you'd better not lose more than 6 wickets.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Biltong, I'll reserve judgement for another date. We can't use one performance, either positive or negative, as a litmus test. What I'm sure though is that South Africa will be able to chase down that score on another day and another set of circumstances. I'm quite confident India won't bowl or field that well again this tournament. A whole summer of anonymity in this regard demonstrates this.
Bobbo7
Guest
NZ are peaking during the WC. About the right timing. The same argument could be applied to Australia and India. Momentum is everything in cricket
It is when playing against SA, we can't chase, it is a proven fact.
Bobbo7
Guest
Batting first appears to be quite an advantage. But India played well
Vas, I respect your opinion, but having the game requires some level headed selections, South Africa to bat first, and a collapse from the opposition as our death bowling sucks.
Nanda
Guest
Ok. You heard it hear first. Final will be between India and NZ. Why. India struggle in away games because they cannot take 20 wickets in a test. However restricting the opposition over 50 overs can be done even by this bowling attack and Indian batting can chase any total. So, yes my prediction is An India vs NZ final.