The last few weeks of this Cricket World Cup were predicted to be boring by some pundits a week or two ago. Nothing could have been further from the truth, judging by some of the games played in recent days.
There are still some twists and turns that have to be negotiated in the last few group-stage games. England are not a certainty for the semi-finals just yet, while Pakistan and Bangladesh are still in the hunt for a knock-out place, so the make-up of the final four is yet to be decided.
One game that has slipped under the radar is Australia’s battle with South Africa next Saturday in Manchester. All things being equal, this should bring together most of the key players from that explosive Test series in 2018 for the first time in national colours.
Steve Smith, David Warner, Kagiso Rabada and Quinton de Kock were all heavily involved in making that series particularly antagonistic. It’s safe to say there’s no love lost between them still, though time may have mellowed them all.
(Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
There’s every chance Smith and Warner might be batting together while Rabada is bowling and De Kock is behind the stumps. There’s also no doubt players will exchange words, though hopefully these will be in the spirit that other games in this tournament have been played.
What happens though if Rabada gets hit around by Warner or De Kock gets off to a flier and starts to chirp about it? Old habits die hard and it would be foolish for both Faf du Plessis and Aaron Finch to not be ready to step in if things get a little spicy.
It will also be interesting to see whether there’s any crowd reaction. Apart from that boorish display by the crowd in Australia’s game against India, the jeering has been relatively sedate, but the South African crowds have shown an uncanny ability to get under the skin of Aussie players over the years.
If it’s a hot day, the amber fluid will be flowing and if the South Africans are on top, you can bet a few suggestions from Proteas fans will be heard – let alone the English locals – especially if Warner or Smith are based on the boundary rope.
All of this is conjecture of course. The players in question are all professionals, this is the last group-stage game for both sides and it doesn’t carry a lot of meaning, that series was 18 months ago and everyone’s moved on.
Nothing could go wrong… right?
Peter Warrington
Guest
We should have come home post Rabada and the corporate involvement in the masks. Stuff the made-up trophy. I was surprised the “ethics” inquiry didn’t look into the state of mind of players in that environment. We know from the stories that players do weird stuff under extreme pressure eg Kim Hughes in 84 in the Windies or Pakistan 82; Homeworkgate etc
Jeff
Roar Rookie
That's right and they got the delay, hence more matches compressed at the end.
Sage
Roar Rookie
I've been to many Aus matches involving the English James and apart from a few pi##ed idiots as you get everywhere, mostly the overall feel is clever banter although the English seem to do better there I have to say. Some of the best experiences are travelling on public transport with the Balmy Army after the game. Lots of good natured sledging and laughs. A lot of fun.
Parer Ben
Roar Rookie
I’ve still away to go, but for a while there I really went off cricket and couldn’t see myself watching it let alone being enraptured with rest cricket again.
Parer Ben
Roar Rookie
Indeed they have
Parer Ben
Roar Rookie
I won’t stand up for what any of the Aussies did - it was shameful. Boorish crowd behaviour though anywhere is not why I go the cricket. He said he thought long and hard about what Kohli had done and then did as you say. Personally I think Morgan chose to be a cricket captain not a leader. It’s still not in the same stratosphere as Smith but I still hope for greater from a sport I love and nearly gave away after the South African tour in disgust.
dat
Roar Rookie
If i remember correctly only thing India asked for was a delayed start. The special commission set up by India's supreme court with it's meddling in the bcci's affairs had stated the ipl must end 15 days before their first wc match,which the bcci conveyed to icc and there after schedules for both were released. Though given that the teams they faced initially were south africa,pakistan,australia and new zealand, you would think there wouldn't have any more control over the matter as they could have easily been out of the tournament as soon as it began with such tough fixtures at the beginning of the tournament.
Mk
Guest
And pandit ji Ind is doing well I think best chances to win the whole things
Mk
Guest
Hahahahaha they don't understand bhaiya and bhabhi they can only understand cat fight and that is enough...... Along the ground
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Has anyone seen that many fans of either team to have a brawl. The subcontinent teams are packing out the stands in contrast. South African cricketers are more interested in being friends with anyone with a rich T20 league.
CubRoar
Roar Rookie
"...and we can slowly be proud of the way our cricket team plays again". I already am. The absence of boofheadedness and send-offs has been a delight. I'm not expecting Australia to win the tournament but they've done a bloody good job, quite possibly to finish top of the ladder*. Without behaving like goons in the process. All the sweeter. Fantastic. * Although that might come down to weather, with India missing a match, so equal top.
Philip O'Donovan
Guest
A poor leader.By what standard is this being measured.Has he been instrumental in creating a 'toxic' culture within the team? Did he allow one of his bowlers to use sandpaper? Did he then lie to the umpire? Did he then lie in the after match press conference? No he has not.All he has done is expressed the view that it is not up to him to be the conscious of the crowd.
James Butcher
Guest
No, I’m not suggesting that the ground staff hand out things to sledge the opposition with (just like they won’t on Saturday)...I am suggesting that there can and often is a pretty febrile atmosphere generated by fans towards the opposition, most specifically England...and when they haven’t done anything to warrant it, apart from being English of course. :)
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Oh, and I remember we lost the series
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Which, sadly, means the idiots who kicked off the masks and the SBW narrative won, hands down. The whole goal was to wind Warner up and it worked big time. It was an ugly series. What bothered me the most was that we resorted to cheating when we felt the series slipping away. Pushed to the limit, we didn’t dig in and try harder and then accept the loss, we gave up and cheated. Was a very bad look
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
Ahaan, that is another pair made in heaven. Cat fight between bhaiya and bhabhi off the pitch ;-)
Jeff
Roar Rookie
With no more ODIs for 5 or 6 months, I wouldn't be surprised if the Saffers have checked out already.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
That'd be the blood of an Englishman! fi fi fo fum.
TheCunningLinguistic
Roar Rookie
That’d be nice- can I have that confirmed in triplicate and signed in blood?
VivGilchrist
Roar Rookie
If they need that to motivate them, they’re weaker psychologically in big events than what I had thought.