South Africa called as many as five wrist spinners in the nets ahead of the third ODI against India, in Cape Town, on Wednesday, hoping it will help their struggling batsmen combat the combined threat of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.
He is ready to accept his fault in the game-changing run-outs against India but Faf du Plessis insisted that South Africa 'never deserved to be in the semi-finals.'
Former South African batsman HD Ackerman has said that the team's familiarity with the Indian bowlers due to their exposure to the Indian Premier League (IPL) may be an advantage for them in the semi-final of the World Twenty20 on Friday.
A B de Villiers produced one of the most devastating Twenty20 innings as he smashed an unbeaten 89 from just 42 balls as Royal Challengers Bangalore pulled off a sensational four-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in a dramatic IPL match in Bangalore on Sunday.
After a week of action at the Cricket World Cup, with each team now playing at least one match, here's an analysis of how the main contenders are shaping up.
They came close to record a historic win against India but eventually had to settle for a draw in the opening Test at the Wanderers and South African batsman Faf du Plessis' admitted his team was satisfied with the end result.
'Well played India, well Captained @imVkohli and amazing skill and guts from a few individuals. Also well played @root66 & England! Great ad for our beautiful game! Excited for the finale'
Cricket South Africa (CSA) named a 30-member provisional squad, on Thursday, with no surprise inclusion or exclusion, for the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September.
'I fulfilled the promise that I made to myself -- getting Kohli's wicket!'
Dale Steyn is determined to make next year's World Cup his limited overs swansong and thinks his experience could make a big difference to South Africa's otherwise raw white ball pace attack.
Impressed with the brand of cricket played by New Zealand in the World Cup, former India batsman Arun Lal believes the Black Caps are no longer the underdogs in the mega event.
Top India batsman Virat Kohli has maintained his second position in the latest ICC batsmen rankings while medium pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has moved up a place to be seventh in the bowlers' standings.
Virat Kohli retained the top spot among batsmen while India were placed third among ODI teams in the latest ICC Rankings issued on Thursday.
The second day's play of the second Test match between India and South Africa in Bengaluru on Sunday was called off without a ball being bowled because of rain.
Hashim Amla's third double-ton for South Africa and Stiaan van Zyl's unbeaten century on debut against West Indies helped the hosts declare on 552 for five before rain brought an early end to day two of the first Test on Thursday.
A humdinger on cards as South Africa chase first series win in India
CCTV footage from the players' tunnel at Kingsmead showed Australia vice-captain David Warner and South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock involved in a fiery exchange as players climbed the stairwell to their dressing rooms during the tea break.
Star pacer Dale Steyn feels he is fortunate to be part of a strong South African side, which has enabled him to produce his best in the past few years.
West Indies tour of South Africa hit a new low on Wednesday when they were bundled out for 122 in under 34 overs to lose the third one-day international by nine wickets at Buffalo Park.
South Africa exceeded expectations by scoring 431 in their first innings. At stumps on Day 4, they were 11 for one, needing another 384 runs for an improbably victory.
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and star batsman Virat Kohli were nominated for the International Cricket Council's People's Choice Award, the winner of which will be declared on December 13 during the governing body's 10th annual awards.
Adaptability will be the key at the World Cup and England captain Eoin Morgan hailed his side's composure after they fought past South Africa on Thursday to open their home tournament in style.
A fired-up Australia attack skittled South Africa's top order late on the fourth day to march to the brink of victory in the second Test on Sunday. Set a mammoth target of 430 for victory, the tourists' chase began disastrously, captain Graeme Smith out for a duck with the sixth ball of the innings and three more wickets tumbling quickly in the afternoon heat at Adelaide Oval.
Steven Smith is likely to captain Australia in the next ODI of the tri-series against England in Hobart on Friday as George Bailey faces a possible suspension from the ICC due to his side's slow over-rate in the four-wicket win over India at the MCG.
The famed Indian batting line-up crashed for a lowly 135 to lose the first Test by 72 runs in Newlands on Monday.
Mitchell Johnson took his match haul to 10 after claiming three South Africa wickets on Saturday as Australia reduced the hosts, facing a 482-run target for victory, to 132 for five in the first Test.
It is another injury blow for the Proteas, who have already lost AB de Villiers due to a finger injury for the first three matches of the 50-over series against India.
The three-Test South Africa series is the first of a gruelling 2018-19 season that includes tours to England and Australia.
South Africa captain Hashim Amla remained unbeaten after his 22nd Test hundred but off-spinner Dilruwan Perera's career best figures gave Sri Lanka a big first innings lead at the end of the third day of the second Test on Saturday.
The visitors required a single wicket to secure success after South Africa resumed on 293 for nine, chasing an improbable victory target of 417.
Australian opener David Warner and veteran fast bowler Ryan Harris have moved up to career-high positions in the ICC Test player rankings following their impressive contributions in Australia's series-winning third Test defeat of South Africa in Cape Town.
Virat Kohli (fourth), Shikhar Dhawan (seventh) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (ninth) have also maintained their respective positions in the ICC ODI batting chart.
More significant than the individual, match-winning efforts of Imran Tahir, AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn, was South Africa's selection of three frontline spinners in the match against the West Indies, says Jacques Kallis.
Faf du Plessis said that it is 'very important' to have a positive attitude and he is putting a lot of energy into it.
India captain Virat Kohli is the lone cricketer from the country to feature in the top 10 of the ICC Players Rankings for One-Day Internationals as he managed to hold on to his third spot in the batsman's chart.
Following are the statistical highlights of the Champions Trophy match between New Zealand and South Africa played in Centurion.
Jacques Kallis was involved in two good stands - 127 for the fourth wicket in 44 overs with AB de Villiers and 58 for the fifth wicket in 30 overs with JP Duminy, while Ravindra Jadeja bowled virtually unchanged throughout the day for reward of four of the five wickets that fell.
South Africa's opening batsman Alviro Petersen has said that Jacques Kallis in his last Test, is "playing the perfect innings for his team".
Mohammad Hafeez became the first batsman given out for obstructing the field under new rules on Thursday before Pakistan defeated South Africa by three wickets to level their one-day series 2-2.
An unbeaten half century from Joe Root helped England into a commanding position on the third day of the first Test as they opened up a 261-run lead over South Africa on Monday.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances