Image Credit- ICC
Have you yet sensed the ghosts within the machine?
emerges from the corners of Eden Gardens, the ideal location for a competition
that hardly moves for historical artefacts. Australia and South Africa are
playing in the World Cup semifinals. And you’re dead inside if the very idea of
what’s ahead doesn’t make your spine tingle with excitement.
Discard all of your preconceived notions about luck
and form, as well as the myth that the strongest team will always prevail on
the day. Instead, embrace a situation where South Africa’s muscle memory will
feel as though it is pulled backwards through time and space by invisible
strings with every twitch (because, let’s face it, this is all about them).
from 2003 to 2015, from 2007 to 2007. Between 1992 and 1999, etc. and back into
the formless emptiness that was the source of all their World Cup suffering.
It’s absurdly unjust. It is premonition inscribed in
history. At the inevitable moment when South Africa’s dream of World Cup
triumph dies another nasty and undignified death, a thousand “I told you
sos” will be chanting in chorus. Without a doubt, though, Temba Bavuma’s
team will have to bring that baggage into the middle on Thursday. They do not
have the luxury of ignoring the sceptics and doubters in this contest, out of
all contests.
Australia, the most illustrious cricket champions,
will be up against them, serving as the final hurdle that all competitors seem
to have to clear in order to be crowned winners. Having won five titles and
suffered just four knockout losses in 18 finals since the inaugural semifinal
in 1975, Australia practically has a birthright when it comes to these events.
That is not to imply, by any means, that South Africa
belongs in the category of foreigners. Unlike any other opposition Australia
has faced in the whole history of ODI cricket, they have a winning record (55
to 50), with 15 wins from their last 18 encounters and a crushing defeat in
Lucknow just last month.
They amassed four totals above 350, more than any
other side, including a market-leading 428 for 5 against Sri Lanka in Delhi,
which is also the highest score ever made at a World Cup. They won seven of
their nine group games here, which is exactly the same as their opponents.
Additionally, they will be able to rely on a batting formula if they win the
toss and choose to bat first. And that recipe for batting dominance that no
team – not even India – has yet surpassed.
The fantasy for South Africa, like so many other parts
of this unimaginably large event, is always one step away from turning into a
nightmare. If all goes according to plan, Bavuma, their first black captain for
cricket, is just two games away from following in the footsteps of his rugby
counterpart Siya Kolisi and giving the Rainbow Nation its most happy picture op
since Nelson Mandela hugged Francois Pienaar at Ellis Park.