There is no doubt that the South Africans are trying to think differently this World Cup. Having endured frustration and hurt in the past editions, the Proteas have another opportunity to win the most coveted title in world cricket, and the battle against Sri Lanka at Sydney Cricket Ground today is a step towards the ultimate glory.
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In the past, South Africa have often been called chokers for not getting their hands on the trophy despite looking like one of the best sides in the tournament, and inconsistency in form has been evident in this tournament.
Captain AB de Villiers and his men have had fluctuating fortunes, twice scoring in excess of 400 runs in the six pool matches, but also losing two matches rather tamely – by 130 runs to India and then by 29 runs to Pakistan while chasing a small target.
And de Villiers, who personally has had a superb World Cup, scoring 417 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 144.29, is trying new things with his team, while accepting that it is his role to lead by example and make sure his team rallies around.
Today in #SLvSA we’ve got the tournament’s highest runscorer v the biggest Six Hitter http://t.co/VczECd9BX9 #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/Dls0BErV4o
— ICC (@ICC) March 18, 2015
On the eve of the match against Sri Lanka, South Africa decided not to train, instead playing games and enjoying themselves.
“I’m really comfortable with where the team is at, with the form that everyone has shown,” said the captain. “I just felt it was important not to focus too much on cricket today, sort of get the brain switched off a little bit before the big clash tomorrow.
“It’s important for us to be fresh. I believe we play really good cricket when we feel mentally fresh. That was our thinking, and I believe we are ready enough. I have full confidence in all the players to perform tomorrow.
“I think it’s partly my responsibility as a captain to lead the way. I want the boys to go out there, the way that I show energy together with a few senior players around me and the language we use, the things we do and the way we lead I think will make it easy for the rest of the guys to follow,” said the 31-year-old.
“I really believe that myself and a few of the senior players know how to play these kind of games in the pressure situations.
“We’ve done it before, and there’s no reason why we can’t do it tomorrow. I have got to lead by example as a captain, and I believe the guys will follow.”
De Villiers felt one of the things that could have gone wrong with the team of 2007 was that they ‘over-analysed’ everything. And while the players have discussed the past, he felt it was more important to focus on the present.
“I remember the 2007 tournament clearly still. I was very comfortable and confident about what we can achieve as a team then. It didn’t happen for us.
“I don’t like to break things down like that too much, but I think we actually over-analysed there, and there was too much chat the night before we played Australia.
“We will try and keep it simple in this team. We’re really a bunch of good guys; we’re locked in. We really enjoy each other’s company. There’s enough laughing, there’s enough stress, there’s enough nerves, there’s good cricket and there’s enough bad cricket.
“We have got a mixture of everything in the team and we have just got to find a way to win tomorrow.”
