What the experts think of the Proteas’ chances in the Cricket World Cup (Audio)

Three games in and three losses to show for it.

This has been the story for the senior South African men’s cricket team, the Proteas, so far this Cricket World Cup campaign.

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And with such an undesirable start one can only hope for a turnaround, and a quick one to. In the interim, South African supporters will clasp their hands together in hopes of a miracle when the team faces off against the West Indies, who blasted Pakistan in the first world cup game.

As history has so often told, the team have had more than their share of close shaves and heroic disappointments. Cricket commentators and students of the game blame South Africa’s failings at ICC events on their lack of big match temperament. If this is true, the team have shown very early on in this campaign this may be a factor should they progress far enough – of which there is still a chance. Maybe.

The university of the Witwatersrand first XI cricket coach and former South Africa T20 International player Garnett Kruger has said the Proteas have little hope going into the rest of the tournament.

“If you look at the other big teams and compare them to South Africa, they look much, much better at this stage. My prediction for the world cup is either West Indies or England as champions.

“I’d throw Australia in the mix too, who are always making it tough for the other teams because they are very emotional players. But my money’s definitely on the West Indies because of their unpredictability,” said Kruger.

Adding his voice to the chorus, Bizhub Highveld Lions head coach Enoch Nkwe said the Proteas, seen as one of the underdogs of the tournament, have introduced young players into the side who will lay off a bit of pressure from the experienced players.

“I absolutely believe we stand a chance, but I don’t see the added pressure we’ve gone into previous world cups with. This may free the guys up and allow them to express themselves a lot more.

“But also looking at the new energy in the setup, including Rassie van der Dussen and Kagiso Rabada, there seems to be a nice blend of players who didn’t play in previous world cups, who might add value here,” said Nkwe.

“It’s not going to be easy, but again the fact that the team are going into the tournament as underdogs might help them a lot. Hopefully, we’ll get to the finals and surprise a lot of people in the process.”

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