I was listing to Ravi Shastri debate on SuperSport this evening about South African’s problem with big match temperament (BMT), Ravi noted a few very interesting points.

He firstly noted that South Africa stick to ‘the book’ too often in the crunch games, what he was referring to was the batting order. Ravi feels that the South African team should promote their ‘big hitter’ up the order, so that he can take the pressure off the established batsmen. This would change things up a bit and put some doubt in the mind of the bowling attack.

That’s an interesting theory, backed by many comments that I’ve heard recently. Having been critical of Albie Morkel’s batting and bowling, many have said that it’s an unfair comment as Morkel has not been given the opportunity to establish himself up the order before he has to play big shots.

The other option as a big hitter goes is Roelof van der Merwe, but his batting is not mature enough in my opinion, perhaps Boucher could fill that role at number 4.

Ravi further noted that South Africa often lose their way when they field first, specifically when the opposition knocks up a decent total. He said that South Africa lose 90% of their games when they field first in tournaments, so off I went to CricInfo the greatest cricket statistics site on the internet, and this is what I found.

Since 1992:

• South Africa has played in 5 matches in tournament semi-finals where we have fielded first, we’ve lost 4 of those matches and tied 1.
• South Africa has played in 3 matches in tournament quarter-finals where we have fielded first, we’ve won 2 of those matches and lost 1.
• South Africa has played in 1 match in tournament final where we have fielded first, we won that 1 match.

In summary South Africa has played 9 finals (semi/quarter/final) matches, lost 5, won 3 and tied 1. If we consider the tie a loss (because you know Allan should have run!), then we’ve lost 66% of the finals that we’ve played in, batting second.

I agree mostly with Ravi Shastri’s perspective on the issue, the only problem that I have is that South Africa lost their place in the Champions Trophy 2009, due to poor bowling rather than their batting.

The stats don’t lie

Our batting statistics over the three games: 724 runs, from 128.5 overs, at an average of 5.63 per over. To put that in perspective if you bat at 5.63 per overs for 50 overs your total would be 281 runs.

Bowling: 856 runs, 147.5 overs, average of 5.8 per over. (5.80 per over X 50 overs =  290 runs)

If you look at the games we lost against Sri Lanka and England, we conceded 642 runs, from 100 overs, at an average 6.42 which is not acceptable. (6.42 per over X 50 overs = 320 runs)

Looking at our pace attack, Wayne Parnell was very expensive over the three games: 28 overs, 196 runs at an average of 7.0 per over. The problem is compounded by Albie Morkel’s expensive figures: 13 overs, 97 runs at an average of 7.46 per over. If your 6^th bowler is consistently expensive it then puts pressure on the other 5 to perform, but if your 6^th bowler is effective and economical then it becomes a strength for the captain to use.

Albie Morkel’s poor bowling, compounded by Parnell’s expensive run rate is why I would drop Morkel. As the stats show above our batting over the past three games was excellent, it’s the bowling that cost us.

We can spare a part-time batsman for a 5^th specialist bowler while we use Kallis as the 6^th.

South Africa needs Albie Morkel to sort out his bowling, or South African need to find the real replacement to fill the void left by Shaun Pollock.

The Champions Trophy points table is updated every day to ensure that the content is current. Are you looking for Champions Trophy Fixtures ?

South Africa has played two games in the Champions Trophy against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Having lost one and won the next, South Africa’s destiny is in their hands. They face England at SuperSport Park Centurion this Sunday.

South Africa has chosen a team with four pace bowlers; Parnell, Steyn, Morkel and Kaills with two spinners; van der Merwe and Botha, Duminy has chipped in with the odd over here and there.

The South African selectors are going to change the team for the England contest, as Herschelle Gibbs will make his come back into the team after he sustained an injury in the warm up game against the West Indies. Who are they going to drop? I’d suggest that Morkel will get the boot, his bowling has been terrible and with Gibbs up the order we shouldn’t need Morkel’s batting lower down.

I have one major issue with Parnell at the moment; he’s simply far too expensive. Yes he’s the leading wicket taker at the moment, let’s be honest, the New Zealand batsmen pretty much got themselves out in the last game. Parnell has bowled a total of 18 overs for 136 runs, that’s 7.56 runs per over, those figures may be considered acceptable while he’s taking wickets, but what happens when he doesn’t take wickets and one of the other bowlers has an off day? Then we’ll get smashed like we did against Sri Lanka. Add to that when we drop Morkel the sixth bowler will be JP Duminy. Duminy can bowl a bit, but we can’t rely on three spinners in an ODI.

Parnell simply has to sort his economy rate out, we can’t afford to have a bowler going at 7.5 runs per over when you only have five specialist bowlers in the team. If Parnell continues with his expensive run rate, then the selectors will have to retain Morkel as the sixth bowler, which will see Hashim Amla missing out.

South Africa and Sri Lanka opened the ICC Champions Trophy in style on Tuesday evening at SuperSport Park Centurion. Or should we say Sri Lanka opened the ICC Champions Trophy in style, scoring a massive 320 runs in their innings.

Proteas captain Graeme Smith won the toss and choose to bowl, why? I haven’t a clue to be honest. How can you choose to chase at SuperSport Park Centurion? I mean really, Sri Lanka are one of the most consistent teams in the world, they have big match temperament and on top of that it’s a pitch that assists the batsmen and SuperSport Park Centurion has the highest ratio of six’s. But wait it gets better, how do you choose to chase when Herschelle Gibbs is not playing… and you haven’t chased a score in three months.

Let’s give credit to Sri Lanka and specifically Tillakaratne Dilshan who scored 106 runs (116 balls) to setup the 55 run victory. Mahela Jayawardene supported Dilshan with his 77 runs from 92 balls.

The Proteas tried to keep the run rate under control, but quality bowling from the Sri Lankans ensured that wickets fell regularly as the run rate kept ticking upwards. The rain brought the pain to an end for the crowd.

Some sights and sounds from SuperSport Park Centurion, Tuesday 22 September 2009:

Traditional Zulu dancers entertaining the crowd as the rain stopped play:

Sho’t Left is an initiative of South African Tourism that encourages you to get out of your routine and experience the beauty and excitement your country has to offer. In South Africa, we love cricket, so what better way to take a Sho’t Left than to the ICC Champions Trophy?  If you’re a fan of cricket and a fan of Sho’t Left, you could win 2 tickets to the awesome ICC Champions trophy games in September.

Sho’t Left have over 50 tickets to give away to all the Champions Trophy matches and to be eligible to win, all you have to do is:

1. Become a fan of the Sho’t Left page on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/shotleft)
2. Save the pic on the page of the cricket ball to your computer by right clicking your mouse and selecting “Save image as”
3. Post it as your Facebook profile pic.
4. Show them that you have done it by writing your Good Luck message for the Proteas on the Sho’t Left fan page wall
5. Get yourself ready for an absolutely AWESOME day at the cricket!

Become a fan now for a chance to win!

Terms and conditions apply: http://www.facebook.com/shotleft#/shotleft?v=app_7146470109

The ICC Champions Trophy 2009 kicks off today at SuperSport Park Centurion. Sri Lanka will take on the hosts South Africa.

There is some talk about there being some spin in the pitch which should see both teams fielding two spinners, in Johan Botha and Roelof van der Merwe for South Africa and off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis for Sri Lanka. The inclusion of the second spin bowler will probably keep Wayne Parnell or Mhakaya Ntini out the side.It would be difficult to leave Parnell out, remember how he took Australia apart at the same ground a few months back?

The home ICC Champions Trophy is probably South African crickets best opportunity to win an ICC trophy, and shake the tag of ‘chokers’ and ‘nearly boys’.

The ICC has announced the schedule of warm-up matches to be played in the lead-up to the ICC Champions Trophy to be staged at The Wanderers and Centurion from 22 September to 5 October.

The matches will be played on 18 and 20 September in Potchefstroom, Benoni and Pretoria. In line with previous ICC events none of these matches will carry official ODI status.

On 18 September, South Africa takes on the West Indies in Potchefstroom and Pakistan faces South Asian rival Sri Lanka at Willowmoore Park, Benoni. Both the matches will be day/night fixtures and will start at 14h30 (SA time).

In the other match of the day, which will start at 09h30 (SA time), New Zealand plays the Warriors (Eastern Cape franchise team of Cricket South Africa) at LC de Villiers Oval, University of Pretoria.

On 20 September, India plays New Zealand in Potchefstroom and Pakistan takes on the Warriors at Willowmoore Park in two day/night fixtures while Sri Lanka meets the West Indies in a day game at LC de Villiers Oval.

So the general from SuperBru asked the question: What happens if an ICC Champions Trophy 50 over game ends in a tie? Stays as tie? Goes to super over? Bowl out? So I went in search of the answer.

According to the official ICC Champions Trophy website: In the event of a tied match in the semi-final or Final the teams shall compete in a one over per side eliminator to determine the winner.

So if it’s a tie in the round robin stage, then it will be delcared a draw, if it’s tied in the semi or final then they’ll play a one over per side eliminator.

There are a host of fantastic promotions happening at Wanderers and Centurion stadiums in South Africa during the ICC Champions Trophy 2009. All you have to do to take part is to be at the stadiums.

Thousands of fans will be lining up at each match to earn the chance to WIN up to R100 000 CASH with a Champion Throw at the stumps. All fans have to do is hit one stump from the boundary with a Champion throw and they could walk off with R100 000 cash!

Kids will also be able to swap old cricket equipment to be in a chance with winning some limited edition Reebok merchandise and also be in a chance with winning a whole range of LG prizes including cell phones, DVDs or televisions.

And if that wasn’t enough, fans who attend the ICC Champions Trophy could also be in with a chance of winning a First Class Emirates Holiday prize valued at R300,000 in Dubai!

via

The top eight cricket-playing countries will battle it out over two weeks to be crowned the ICC Champions 2009, with the winners banking $2-million (about R16-million).

The runners-up will receive $1-million, the losing semi-finalists will take home $400 000 and the teams finishing third in each group will win $100 000.
Player update:

England: All-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been withdrawn from England’s squad for the One-day series against Australia and the ICC Champions Trophy, as he’s due to undergo surgery on his injured right knee.
Kevin Pietersen is also absent from the English team, and has undergone surgery of his Achilles and is not expected to be fit in time.

Australia: Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin’s participation in the Champions Trophy has been cast in doubt after it was announced he would undergo surgery for a broken finger later this week.