Published: Mar 23, 2015, 09:26 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 23, 2015, 09:31 PM (IST)
In the hype surrounding the formidable pace batteries and the flamboyant batting line ups of New Zealand and South Africa, the looming threat of Imran Tahir hasn’t generated much attention. But it is he who can give South Africa the edge when they take on a rampant New Zealand in their own backyard in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semi-final, feels Rishad DSouza.
If New Zealand’s performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 were to be summed up in one word, ‘impeccable’ would be the most accurate. They’re the only side who have gone unbeaten in the entire tournament, when taking into account the warm up games as well (India lost to Australia). They’ve looked a little precarious at some instances but as a team they have clicked and backed each other under the astute leadership of Brendon McCullum. Preview: New Zealand vs South Africa Semi-Final
Ahead of the match which bears the significance of determining first-time finalists, plenty of experts and fans have tipped New Zealand to make the cut given the home ground advantage and the momentum they have garnered through course of the tournament. Even Graeme Smith has said that South Africa will find the conditions challenging, citing the ‘hostile’ Eden Park crowd as another factor that could undo South Africa. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, NZ vs SA: Teams eye maiden final appearance
Expectedly, much of the talk has revolved around pace bowlers and the batsmen and Imran Tahir hasn’t received much of a mention. Tahir has been pivotal to South Africa’s World Cup campaign. At a time when Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel have failed to produce fire to scorch batsmen, Tahir has foxed them with his flippers and the turn he generates. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, NZ vs SA: 10 match facts you must know
Importantly, some of his better performances in the World Cup have come against the South Asian sides like India and Sri Lanka who are generally known to be equipped to handle spin bowling. In the quarter-final against Sri Lanka, Tahir ripped through the middle order picking four for 26, including the wicket of Mahela Jayawardene. With each wicket he set of on his frenzied celebrations, coming back with renewed vigour each time. Brendon McCullum’s unique appeal to NZ cricket fans ahead of semi-final against SA
Against India he just got a single wicket but conceded just 48 runs in his 10 overs even though the quicks were being scored off quite easily at more than six per over. In fact, he has now taken his ICC World Cup 2015 tally to 15 wickets, which is the highest ever for a spinner at any World Cup. With that feat he has eclipsed illustrious names like Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble among others. AB de Villiers oozes confidence ahead of South Africa vs New Zealand semi-final match
New Zealand, of course, have batsmen who are equipped to deal with spin and there are those who could disregard any type of bowler on their day. Kane Williamson has assured technique against spin, Ross Taylor is also capable of using his feet to good effect against spinners. Brendon McCullum, on the other hand, has the power to negate any kind of bowler and send them all into space. Tahir is evidently not going to have a cakewalk against New Zealand; it’s going to be a challenge and by the way he’s gone he’ll take the challenge head on.
On Tuesday, March 24 if he picks a few wickets to make an impact, he’ll not only add to his tally of 15 wickets and thrust his team into the lap of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 final, but also give himself the opportunity for a few more maniacal celebrations at the most important match One-Day International (ODI) match in a cycle of four years and etch take his team to the ultimate glory.
(Rishad D’Souza, a reporter with CricketCountry, gave up hopes of playing Test cricket after a poor gully-cricket career. He now reports on the sport. You can follow @RishadDsouza on Twitter)
