SA’s confidence hit for six in crushing record defeat
Favourites stunned by India in loss that, says skipper AB de Villiers, was ‘almost embarrassing’
CAPTAIN AB de Villiers has described South Africa’s defeat to the defending champions as “almost embarrassing”. The Proteas came up short in all three facets; batting, bowling and fielding in front of a crowd of 86 876 at cricket’s largest venue, with India winning by 130 runs.
“It’s a big knock for us to get beaten by 130 runs, almost embarrassing,” said De Villiers. “We will have to lick our wounds for a while, it’s not just about ‘we win a few more games and we’re through to the quarterfinals’. Your confidence takes a bit of a knock with performances like that, it’s up to the senior group of players to make sure the confidence is still there come Friday against the West Indies.”
There was plenty of blue on the streets of Melbourne ahead of the match, which was the culmination of what’s been a busy week in Australia’s second-largest city. Besides rock music festivals, the Chinese New Year and numerous other sports events, the annual White-Night arts and culture festival saw the streets packed on Saturday night.
By yesterday morning many had dusted themselves off and headed to the MCG, with India understandably enjoying the majority of the support. Small pockets of South African fans were dotted around the stadium, including a group led by former South African captain Graeme Smith.
However, he like many others clad in green and gold, and millions watching on television, were left glum by a poor per- formance that saw South Africa’s status as favourites take a major hit.
India batted first after winning the toss and made 307/7 from their 50 overs thanks to 137 from man of the match Shikar Dhawan and 79 from Ajinkya Rahane.
Imran Tahir was the best of South Africa’s bowlers, but it was two missed chances to dismiss Dhawan when he was on 53 and then 55 that ultimately proved costly for the Proteas.
Hashim Amla dropped the Indian opener first and a few balls later JP Duminy missed a simple run out chance.
De Villiers bemoaned his and Dave Miller’s run outs as being very costly for his
WE WILL HAVE TO LICK OUR WOUNDS FOR A WHILE, IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT ‘WE WIN A FEW MORE GAMES’ AND WE’RE THROUGH TO THE QUARTER-FINALS
side. “Those two run outs cost us dearly. I felt a player like me and Dave Miller, had we got a few partnerships going, without those run outs we would have come close. That was very disappointing.”
The South African team flies to Sydney tomorrow to begin preparations for their next Pool B match against the West Indies at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.