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Don't trust it. You are not the Boston Red Sox supporters who, during the team's 2003 American League Championship march—which they dutifully won by defeating the darned Yankees—held placards in the grandstands urging their fellow supporters to "Believe!"
Being South Africans, you are aware that a team that has never advanced to the men's World Cup final and frequently finished the competition in ruins is not someone you should trust.
Accept. Being Australian, you are aware that your side has won more than any other: five times out of twelve. Why not try it again?
Greetings from Eden Gardens for this Thursday's second semifinal. The teams will know, if they win, who they will play in the final—India or New Zealand—by the time the game begins.
But that's the task for Sunday. And only slightly more of a deal than the one on Thursday. Because virtually every Australia-South Africa game is pre-loaded with a story that is rich in history and trembles with context.
It appears incorrect that despite these teams' seven tournament meetings, they have only played each other twice in the knockout stages. The first occasion was the thrillingly tied Edgbaston semifinal in 1999. In their 2007 semifinal in St Lucia, where Australia had virtually eliminated the competition, there was less tension.
For a squad like these, sixteen years is a long time to wait between crucial World Cup matches, especially considering that they have played each other six times in the last two months alone. Of those matches, South Africa were victorious in four, but three were against severely reduced opponents. Thus, only the last one, which happened in Lucknow on October 12, is credible.
Is that possible? South Africa's 311/7 and Australia's 177 against them have given the Australians enough momentum to win seven straight games. The idea that Australia is a lesser, more susceptible team might do the South Africans no good. They might not mind at all.
In addition, Temba Bavuma's hamstring issue suffered on Friday in Ahmedabad during the team's match against Afghanistan has given them ample cause for concern. The fact that Bavuma's health for Thursday's match is unknown could have a greater psychological impact on the South Africans than a positive score.
Bavuma is relied upon for his presence and leadership even though he has scored fewer runs in seven innings throughout the tournament than any of the team's other regular batters. Due to a stomach issue, he missed the Wankhede games against Bangladesh and England, both of which South Africa won admirably without him. But when Bavuma plays, they exhibit a more composed, tranquil side.
Although Glenn Maxwell was cleared to play following a scan, the Australians still had to worry about their own hamstring issue. At the Wankhede last Tuesday, he was hurt while posing as a monster rising from a primeval swamp. That's one way to analyze Maxwell's appearance in the last stages of his perfect 201 off 128 against Afghanistan. It was more of a human endurance and brilliance accomplishment than an innings, but most of it was not attractive.
Eden Gardens is also not very visually appealing. This concrete and plastic bowl's charm comes from atmosphere more than appearance. Australia has not yet participated in this event, although on November 5, one of India's opponents used South Africa as fodder.
Their poor bowling allowed Virat Kohli to score a century on his 35th birthday, and they lost by 243 runs, their largest defeat in all 668 One-Day Internationals.
This week hasn't had the same ferocious vibe as it had on that day and in the days before the game on the surrounding streets. Even Eden Park might serve as simply another cricket ground at times. However, Thursday's match will be more than just a game for South Africa and Australia.
Ahead of time: Tuesday's training session saw Kagiso Rabada and Tabraiz Shamsi stroll to the center to survey the field as the South Africans warmed up. Rabada imitated the delivery of a left-arm wrist spinner as they were conversing. Is there going to be another Eden Gardens turner? The weather calls for a bright 33 degrees Celsius on Thursday.
Australia
Watch out for Glenn Maxwell's comeback. He missed Saturday's match against Bangladesh in Pune due to his recuperation from his incredible effort to score an unbroken 201 off 128 against Afghanistan at the Wankhede on November 7. Sean Abbott please move aside.
Strategies and tactics
After losing their opening two games in the tournament, including a 134-run loss to South Africa in Lucknow on October 12, the Australians have undergone a complete metamorphosis as a team. With each successive victory, they haven't been defeated and have amassed seven wins, four of which came while batting first, making them appear increasingly like the Aussies of yesteryear.
After the league stage, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh were among the best scorers at the competition, with Glenn Maxwell lurking at number eleven. Adam Zampa has 22 strikes at an average of 18.90, making him the World Cup's top wicket-taker.
South Africa
It's expected that Marco Jansen will return, most likely at Andile Phehlukwayo's expense. Given the probable circumstances, Tabraiz Shamsi may be able to make up for his 1/72 against India, which included 20 runs in boundaries and 8 wides and no-balls. He might replace Gerald Coetzee, who has taken the most wickets for South Africa in any World Cup history with 18.
Strategies and tactics
Even if the South Africans would hope that their five-wicket victory over Afghanistan in Ahmedabad on Friday disproves the notion that they are better at setting targets than pursuing them, that assumption will still be made going into the game.
Quinton de Kock will have achieved another century and will not be thinking about matching Rohit Sharma's World Cup record of five centuries, which was set in 2019. On the surface, Keshav Maharaj might be South Africa's strongest suit.
Were you aware?
- Adam Zampa's bowling average of 46.78 against South Africa is the highest of any opponent he has faced in One-Day Internationals.
- Lungi Ngidi has the lowest average of any South African bowler currently playing in one-day internationals (ODIs) against Australia (19.52). Mitchell Marsh has the highest score, at 81.37.
- With the exception of Sri Lanka, whom he has collected 16 wickets at 24.75 in nine games, Tabraiz Shamsi has been more successful in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) versus Australia, where he has taken 15 wickets at 24.06 in eight matches.
This World Cup, Quinton de Kock averages 65.66; but, in ODIs versus Australia, he only averages 36.35, with 8.8 against Glenn Maxwell and 17.7 against Josh Hazlewood.
As they put it:
"Not really, no. Our players weren't participating at all. Thus, it's usually best to avoid making too many assumptions about that team. However, it is a part of Australian cricket history and legend." - Pat Cummins during the semifinal in 1999.
"I'm feeling fine. Since it's obviously not 100%, today takes on significance. Although I'm very certain, this is not a one-person choice." Temba Bavuma, a hamstring strain.
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