South Africa check in for opener,with baggage

The South Africans have been around in the Caribbean for a considerable amount of time now,limbering up slowly with practice games in Barbados,resting their overworked IPL players....

The South Africans have been around in the Caribbean for a considerable amount of time now,limbering up slowly with practice games in Barbados,resting their overworked IPL players. And as the team arrived in St Lucia for its first practice session ahead of their Group C game against India,there was one invisible baggage a chokers tag that was probably heavier than the kitbags strewn around in the outfield.

Graeme Smith knows the joke is on his team,and instead of denying it,the skipper has embraced the reality,as he admits that his present bunch requires silverware to justify themselves as favourites yet again. For that,the team is again banking on their bowlers.

South Africas gameplan of using short-pitched stuff worked against India in their last World T20 encounter in Nottingham. The settings this time at the Beausejour stadium isnt too different,and it provides an unlikely environment for the two teams face off. Between the ranks of technically correct and powerful batsmen,it will also be a battle of spinners specialists and part-timers. Most of the wickets seem slower and take a bit of spin. Our options are open. In our armoury we have got both pace and spin. I think we have got enough there to challenge India, says Smith.

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We beat India at Trent Bridge on a slow turner. Also,we have played India a little bit of late and with a lot of our guys involved in the IPL,we have first hand knowledge of their players. We have had success (against India) in the last tournament. And in the World T20,we have had a lot of success without going all the way, adds Smith.

However,Dhoni isnt too worried about South Africa beating India on slow turners. Just because they beat us once in that tournament doesnt mean it will happen again. I always believe in looking at the present rather than the past or future. If we go by the past then we lost so badly in the Caribbean 2007 world Cup,that year we should not have won the World T20. But we did,so things will be different each time, says Dhoni.

Off fans radar

With a little over a month for the FIFA World Cup to kick-off in South Africa,the single-minded focus on football back home gives Smiths side some breathing space. Its a wonderful honour for South Africa to be hosting the World Cup. Weve got our own opportunity in the next three weeks to kickstart a campaign for our country. I dont think the expectations ever go away. People want to see the team do well and we want to do well. Its the values and the expectancy you have for yourself as a unit, says Smith.