Auckland set for the semi
“SO YOU’RE here for the crucket,” came the inquiry. Yes, I am in Auckland for the, err, cricket.
“So who do you reckon will wun then?” A natural follow-up. “Not sure, too close to call, but you guys are favourites.” “Why,” came the next enquiry? “You’re unbeaten in the tournament, playing darn well and Dan Vettori’s the hottest man in specs since Rodrigo Santoro in Love Actually,” I replied. “Rod, who?” It’s like that in Auckland at the moment. Almost every local you bump into, once it’s become clear you’re South African, wants to know your thoughts about tomorrow’s semifinal. Cricket has become what rugby normally is around these parts, the most talked about event in town.
New Zealand’s opener Martin Guptill was front, back and centre in the local papers yesterday following his astonishing innings in the defeat of the West Indies. They even wanted to know what he had for breakfast on Saturday morning. Nothing special apparently, according to Guptill.
The All Blacks? Not around here – not yet anyway, they can resume their all-consuming ways from July when the oval-shaped ball game takes centre-stage once more.
Having South Africa as the main obstacle to a first World Cup final appearance for New Zealand, just gives the match an even more familiar touch for most Kiwis.
There’s lots of sporting history between the two countries, with both the oval-shaped ball and the little white round one. Eden Park is a fitting stage on which to play this out.
South Africa, for the most part, has dominated on the cricket field in the post isolation era. There is one particular competition in which New Zealand holds sway, however – the World Cup. Their record in six matches is 4 to 2 in favour of the Black Caps, with South Africa having last defeated them in the Super Six stage in 1999.
More recently, though, there is Dhaka, and the dark deeds of the Black Caps on March 25, 2011, at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Bangladesh. The Proteas were pushed around mentally and physically in that quarter-final, caught off guard, their fragility under pressure was thrown in their faces before being stomped on. Graeme Smith looked like he’d seen a ghost.
One player revealed yesterday when asked if revenge was on South Africa’s minds simply: “Yes… obviously.”
It won’t be the primary motivational tool for South Africa. That would be stupid, not when the spoils on offer are a trip to Melbourne and the chance to play for One-Day International cricket’s biggest prize is so close. However, revenge will be on their minds. To exact that revenge in front of 41 000 screaming New Zealanders would make for some sweet payback after Dhaka.
No one talks about that in Auckland. Most don’t even remember it happening.
This will be a tasty affair, a tight and tense one too. South Africa may think they got the monkey off their back in Sydney last week by winning the quarter-final against Sri Lanka – the first win in a World Cup knockout match – but their past still follows them around.
“You’re not worried about that choker label, South Africa sometimes gets?” Dave Miller was asked. He gently batted back a response about the team having fresh faces, that they’re playing good cricket and that the baggage is no longer with them.
New Zealand’s players may want to remind them though, just to see if they can reopen old wounds.