Turn the key in opener

Turn the key in opener

21 Sep 2009

The Proteas and Sri Lanka are set to rely on their spin bowlers in the opening Champions Trophy fixture at Centurion.

No 1-ranked ODI outfit South Africa will rely heavily on vice-captain Johan Botha and Roelof van der Merwe, while Sri Lanka have the world’s best tweaker in Muttiah Muralitharan and rising star Ajantha Mendis.

‘In the last year-and-a-half, Johan Botha has become one of the best one-day bowlers in the game and he’s an integral part of our team. He and Roelof make a good combination,’ Proteas captain Graeme Smith told reporters.

‘Murali has troubled a lot of teams and he has an incredible record, but it will be interesting to see how Sri Lanka fit both him and Mendis into their combination.’

The batting line-up that deals with the slow bowling could emerge victors. Smith is confident of South Africa’s ability against the spinners.

‘Our record speaks for itself on how we have played spin around the world in the last few years and we have some good ideas about Mendis. Other teams have been very aggressive against him and that seems like a good tactic.’


11 Comments

  • 1.Partizan: Reply to this comment
    21 Sep 2009, 18:02 pm

    Creative title

  • 2.Dantalian: Reply to this comment
    21 Sep 2009, 18:05 pm

    We better win, otherwise we’ll be stuck with the choker tag yet again. :roll:

  • 3.WP_: Reply to this comment
    21 Sep 2009, 18:13 pm

    #2

    Only if we get into a position where we should win, then lose.

    Very clever title. ;)

  • 4.Ezee-23: Reply to this comment
    21 Sep 2009, 18:32 pm

    #1 Partizan: Agreed.

    Proteas for the win!

  • 5.WP_: Reply to this comment
    21 Sep 2009, 19:05 pm

    It is centurion remember, so the deck should be nice and flat and it should have plenty of runs in it. It will start to slow up and take turn as the game wears on though, so I’d definately bat first and try to pile the runs on.

  • 6.gunther: Reply to this comment
    21 Sep 2009, 19:27 pm

    #5 WP_:

    we are the kings of centurion…

  • 7.WP_: Reply to this comment
    21 Sep 2009, 19:33 pm

    #6 Hopefully that continues mate. ;)

    I’m picking it will…

  • 8.gunther: Reply to this comment
    21 Sep 2009, 19:54 pm

    #7 WP_:

    my money says yes….

  • 9.Ezee-23: Reply to this comment
    21 Sep 2009, 23:10 pm

    Been supporting the Boks for the past few months and am now ready to do the same for the Proteas. I’ve even decided to not go to work tomorrow.

    My priorities may be misplaced!!

  • 10.WP_: Reply to this comment
    21 Sep 2009, 23:54 pm

    #9 Ezee-23 :

    Your priorities are spot on mate! :) Great idea!

    Wish I could do the same, too busy so cant tomorrow but maybe the next game!

    Go boys, lets show why we are the best team in the world. We have the most well balanced side in the world so hopefully the boys can turn it on tomorrow.

  • 11.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    23 Sep 2009, 01:19 am

    #2 Dantalian: Choked.

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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