South Africa World Cup Cricket Team Profile 2011
South Africa are one of the strongest teams at the cricket World Cup. South Africa have been traditionally strong in all areas of the game over the last few years and are one of the favourites to go on and lift the title.
South Africa are captained by Graeme Smith who has been in charge of the side since he was 19-years-old. Smith had an advantage because he knows his team inside out, knows their weaknesses and how to exploit the opposition with their strengths.
Key South African Batsmen
There are many key South African batsmen who make South Africa a very difficult unit to break down and get out of a game quickly. Key South African batsmen give the side a solid foundation from which they can attack the opposition and be more aggressive with field settings and bowling.
Smith is also one of the key South African batsmen. He has always opened the batting and is a captain who likes to lead from the front and set an example for the rest to follow. Smith has a One Day International average of just below 40 and has scored eight centuries in 50 over cricket during his career.
AB de Villiers is another of the key South African batsmen and a player that South Africa rely upon to keep the middle order strong. De Villiers has an average of 45 in ODI cricket and has scored three more hundreds than his captain.
Key South African Bowlers
The key South African bowlers are feared throughout the world of cricket because they give the South Africa attack a perfect balance. The South African bowling attack has traditionally all been about pace and power but this has changed slightly in recent times.
One of the key South African bowlers is Dale Steyn who has been inside the ICC ODI top ten bowlers in the world for some time. Steyn has the ability to bowl at over 90 miles per hour on a consistent basis and has touched just below 100 miles per hour in his career. Steyn has taken 79 wickets in ODI cricket.
Imran Tahir is one of the key South African bowlers who has only just qualified to play for the side. Tahir was born in Lahore but now represents South Africa and gives them something they have been missing in their bowling attack. Tahir has taken 547 wickets in first class cricket and is a leg spinner that most find difficult to read and predict.
Strengths of South Africa
One of the biggest strengths of South Africa is the attitude of the side. They fight for every single ball of every single game and this rubs off on the whole squad. This gritty and determined mentality has made South Africa famous throughout the world of cricket.
Fielding is top of the main strengths of South Africa. South Africa are the best fielding side because they are consistent over long periods. Their fielding will often save them a few runs over the course of a game.