Is SA trying to use India’s strength?

Steyn misses nets with flu

South Africa’s premier fast bowler Dale Steyn missed training  due to flu, but is expected to be fit for the World Cup match against India. “He has a bout of sinusitis but will be back at training tomorrow,“ the team’s media manager Lerato Malekutu told media at Melbroune.Even though Steyn looks certain to take the field in Sunday’s key Pool B match against the defending champions, his presence has been underwhelming in the first week of the tournament.

South Africa’s record against India in the World Cup has been an enviable 3-0, having convincingly won their matches in three editions (’92, ’99 and 2011), but the Proteas are leaving no stone unturned to make it 40 when the two teams square off at the MCG on Sunday .

To combat the defending champions, the South African team management has brought in experience worth 26,845 runs and 602 wickets at the international level. The runs are combined of what Messrs Gary Kirsten and Mike Hussey have scored at the international level across formats, while the wickets are Allan Donald’s collection during his 12 years in international cricket.

The trio was seen keeping a hawk eye on the proceedings during South African team’s training session at the St Kilda’s Oval Junction ground. In fact, Hussey, who would again be playing in the eighth edition of IPL for Chennai Super Kings, was keeping a close eye on the batsmen, especially the likes of JP Duminy and Quinton de Kock as they were playing the spinners at the nets.

A couple of left-arm spinners were seen bowling as Duminy and De Kock, along with Hashim Amla when they were batting in the nets, reported media from Australia that cited that One of the net bowlers of Indian origin was asked if there was any specific instruction from the coaches, he smiled and said, “I have been told to try and bowl exactly what Ravindra Jadeja bowls”.