ICC World T20 2012 preview: Australia vs South Africa

Australia would look to beat a demoralised South Africa and seal a semifinal berth in their second Super Eights match on Sunday.

 

The George Bailey-led side's nine-wicket win over 2007 champions India last night must have done a world of good to their morale after topping Group B with wins over Ireland and the West Indies and they would start as favourites.

 

South Africa, on the other hand, would have to regroup after they shockingly let slip the Super Eights game against Pakistan from a winning position. The Proteas virtually had the game in their bag before allowing Umar Gul to run away with the match later.

 

The South Africans cannot repeat such a costly mistake against Australia tomorrow as that would mean exit for them and would only strengthen the "chokers" tag labelled on them in big tournaments.

Australia are the in-form side in the tournament with the top-order batsmen in roaring form and the frontline bowlers among the wickets.

The main worry for South Africa would be how to stop the swashbuckling Australian openers Shane Watson and David Warner, who have become the most successful pair in the T20 Internationals, from dictating terms on their bowlers.

The duo mercilessly sent the Indian bowlers on a leatherhunt in their side's nine-wicket mauling in their first Super Eights match last night.

 

Read Akash Kaware’s article which discusses why AB de Villiers is wasted at number six. 

 

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ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2012: Match time table with group details