Hello world!
“There was a bit of space for us to make a mistake here or there before, but now our backs are against the wall,” says Faf du Plessis. That’s about the shape of it. South Africa sit ninth in the 10-team table ahead of this game, against the only side below them, after three defeats and a washout in their first four (Afghanistan have played one game fewer). Any more slip-ups would render their last four fixtures, for them at least, irrelevant.
“Week one was a bad start to the tournament but that’s done now,” Du Plessis continued. “We’ve got to put all our energy and focus into the now and what’s coming up next. I truly believe that if we carry those ghosts of the last week with us it’s going to be tough to get out of the hole. But the conversations in the last couple of days, especially with all the rain around, has given me more time to make sure that the guys are on the right path.”
Even in this bloated, extended opening group stage it has not taken long for us to get what is in effect the tournament’s first knockout game. Whoever loses this one is essentially doomed. South Africa’s efforts to turn their tournament around could be assisted by the return of Lungi Ngidi, who has missed their last two games, but then again it might not be. “It’s a tricky one with fast bowlers as to when they do come back,” says Faf. “We’re in a position now where we need to win five games out of five so you want your best available for selection. But if he’s not 100%, or even 90%, in a shortened game with a bit of rain around is it worth the risk?”
It looks like we should get a full day’s play in Cardiff, though some rain is forecast tonight. This could be considered the most important game of the World Cup so far. There should be fireworks. Welcome!