Proteas to once again raise hopes of a World Cup victory
So, for once, rain and inclement climate saved the day for the Proteas.
The South Africans certified this week to go to the 50-over World Cup after Ireland’s ODI match in opposition to Bangladesh was rained out. It meant the South Africans prevented having to play in a qualifier match in Zimbabwe to attempt get into the match later this 12 months in India.
Well, thank goodness for that, as a result of, let’s be trustworthy, there can be no assure that the Proteas would advance from the qualifying match, regardless that they might be large favourites getting in.
We all know what occurs to the Proteas once they’re thought of favourites.
Qualifying match
Now, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Ireland, Netherlands, Nepal, Scotland, Oman, UAE and USA will play off in a match in Zimbabwe, between 18 June and 9 July, to decide which two groups be part of the opposite eight for the World Cup.
It’s a very aggressive group, and it’ll be unhappy to not see some of these groups in India in the primary occasion.
I’m grateful the Proteas aren’t a half of it as a result of realizing them, nicely, you simply by no means know.
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May the Proteas now catch a wake-up and by no means again get themselves into the place they discovered themselves in lately. They’re too good to be touch-‘n-go and never qualifying mechanically.
But whereas the group’s qualification is sweet information, the down facet is coach Rob Walter and his group gained’t have a lot time to put together for the match.
The subsequent time the Proteas are in motion is in late August and September, in three T20s and 5 ODIs in opposition to the Australians.
At least the competitors shall be sturdy, nonetheless, the pitches are possible to be considerably totally different to what the Proteas and Australians can anticipate in India. Or possibly they gained’t be, if a few phrases are whispered within the ears of the groundsmen in Bloemfontein, Potchefstroom, Centurion and Joburg.
Anyway, these two collection’, regardless that one is a T20 collection, shall be essential for preparation, as a result of there gained’t be many extra alternatives to get issues proper and sorted out earlier than the match begins on 5 October.
Maybe, for once, going into a World Cup with nobody giving the Proteas a probability, and little fanfare about their readiness and preparation, will work of their favour. They ought to have the group and depth although to be thought of among the many severe challengers, however who is aware of. We can dream, like at all times.
PGA Championship
It’s the 12 months’s second Major subsequent week; the PGA Championship at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York.
Tiger Woods gained’t be there, however all the opposite large guys will, together with Rory McIlroy and a host of LIV Golf Tour gamers, so we must always have one other thrilling main.
Unfortunately, as was the case on the Masters in April, South Africa is unlikely to have a severe challenger for the title. And it’s a match that hasn’t been all that good for the Saffas.
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The final time a South African gained the PGA Championship was in 1972, when Gary Player gained the second of his two titles, the opposite coming in 1962. Nick Price, who represented Zimbabwe, gained titles in 1992 and 1994.
South Africa’s hopes subsequent week will lie with Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Dean Burmester, Thriston Lawrence and Ockie Strydom — all excellent golfers, however severe Major contenders? We can dream, like at all times.
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