STOKES: I WOULD NEVER TURN DOWN THE CHANCE TO LEAD MY COUNTRY
SOUTH AFRICA finally got a point on the board at this World Cup – but only thanks to a washout that still leaves their hopes hanging by a thread.
Mathematically, the Proteas are still in the tournament with five games left to play. But they admit they need to win all ‘five cup finals’ to stand a chance of squeaking into the semi-finals.
That is such a long way off though following three defeats, two injuries, and a watery grave for their clash with the Windies.
And with the turmoil caused by AB de Villiers’ last-minute pitch to be inleast cluded in the squad that was rebuffed, no wonder skipper Faf du Plessis cut a downcast figure in Southampton.
“We’ve got five cup finals to play now, it is as simple as that,” said du Plessis (right, bottom). “We’re in this position because we haven’t played our best cricket at the tournament so we don’t
WORLD CUP TABLE P W L No Run res rate
0 2.163 0 1.307 0 0.539 0 0.483 1 2.054 1 -1.517 1 -2.412 0 -0.714 1 -0.952 0 -1.493 1 New Zealand 2 England
3 India
4 Australia
5 West Indies 6 Sri Lanka
7 Pakistan
8 Bangladesh 9 South Africa 10 Afghanistan 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 6 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 0 deserve to be anywhere near the top of the log.
“It is very clear for us as a team. If the results start coming one by one then the team will get a lot of confidence for the later stages. It is about performance. You need individuals to step up and pull the team up.”
But who is going to carry the weight of a Rainbow Nation on their shoulders and take them to their pot of gold?
There are precious few candidates beyond Kagiso Rabada with the ball and Quinton de Kock with the bat.
And with their bowling attack depleted, how frustrating it must be to be in a country where fast bowlers in their prime such as Kyle Abbott and Duanne Olivier are playing county cricket as Kolpak signings rather than for their national side.
The Proteas reached 29-2 in the 7.3 overs possible in Southampton.
On their table now is the tallest of mountains, but at one former skipper still has hope. “As South Africans we probably get emotional about what has gone on,” said Shaun Pollock (left, with South Africa coach Ottis Gibson). “People will see this start and think that it is a bit of a failure as the history of the World Cup with South Africa is well known. “But on their day our guys can match what other sides have got. There will be other games rained out so five wins might get you through.
“Do I believe they can still do something over the next five games?
“I still believe they can, but it will be down to whether they can find form.” BEN STOKES has admitted he would captain England, if presented with the opportunity.
The all-rounder and Mirror Sport columnist has long been thought of as a leader in the dressing room.
It’s why Stokes was elevated to Test vice captain, when Joe Root was promoted to the captaincy, following Alastair Cook’s resignation in February 2017.
But he was stripped of the role following the notorious late-night incident in Bristol. Since then, Stokes has hugely impressed the England management, with the way he has returned to the fold after being cleared in his court case for affray.
He has shown increasing maturity – on and off the field – and after setting the standard when it comes to training, the idea he might lead England one day is not as far-fetched as it seemed a year ago.
Stokes, 28, said: “If you get the opportunity, and they ask you to do it, you’re not going to say no. But at the moment, that’s not in my mind.
“I’m not going to suddenly be an angel, because that’s not me. It’s just about trying to make better decisions, but I don’t think of this in terms of it being a second opportunity.
“What I have learnt is that the people I need – who are important to what I do and who I want to be there – are around me. Before, you try to please everyone, but you can’t do it.
“It has made me understand who the right people are, and who I need in my life.”
■ Read the full interview with Ben Stokes in the latest copy of the Red Bulletin, which is out today.