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Can South Africa hold on to their World crown?
Posted by: | CommentsSouth Africa are less than a month away from beginning the defence of the World Cup trophy they won in 2007, but there is one hitch. They are in terrible form.
The Springboks have so far played three games in the Tri Nations that leads straight on to the World Cup and have lost all three as head coach Peter De Villiers continues to field inexperienced line ups to take on Australia and New Zealand, two of the strongest teams in world rugby at the moment.
There is huge pressure on De Villiers to turn around the fortunes of South Africa to the point that there have been suggestions he should be removed from his role before the World Cup – something that is highly unlikely- but is there any chance South Africa can pull off an unlikely turn around and be crowned World Champions once more?
Their third game against Australia was meant to be the real test of where they were as the side was reinforced with returning first choice players after 20 players were left at home for their first game against Australia, but the 14-9 defeat left most scratching their heads as to what to expect next from the Springboks.
In fact the team that took to the pitch was the most experienced in terms of the amount of caps on the field, but that couldn’t stop the Wallabies from picking up a win despite going in at half time 6-0 down.
With that defeat their hopes of winning the Tri Nations evaporated into thin air and now they can only think about planning for the World Cup – that and avoiding their first ever whitewash in the Tri Nations.
Most bookies place the Springboks at around 9/1 to retain their title, behind Australia and New Zealand, but there is a feeling even that is generous.
What will be a decent test of where they are is when they go up against Wales in their opening game of the tournament. Warren Gatland’s side have had an inconsistent run of form lately but showed against England they were well drilled and at their physical peak, and could take advantage of those in a Springboks RWC Jersey looking not only undercooked but unaware of what the game plan is.
They are 50/1 not to reach the Quarter final and while that may be a bit extreme, backing them not to make the semi’s may be a wise move. Either way it is looking highly unlikely South Africa can retain their world crown come the end of the 2011 World Cup, unless they do something very dramatic, and very soon.
Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide
Can South Africa hold on to their World crown?
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Sussex crush the Royals
Posted by: | CommentsSussex Sharks have flattened their opponents, the Worcestershire Royals, in Group A of the Clydesdale Bank 40 (CB40).
The match, which was played at Horsham in Sussex on Sunday, saw the home side score 399 runs, the highest tally ever recorded in domestic limited overs cricket. Anyone following the Betfair Cricket betting would have been very impressed. The Sharks beat the previous record – 386 for 3, held by Surrey since 2010 – by 13 runs. The result could be seen as ‘revenge’ for Sussex; Worcestershire defeated the club in the league on Saturday.
Sussex can thank batting duo, Ed Joyce and Joe Gatting, the nephew of Mike Gatting, for the incredible result. Joyce claimed 10 fours and 5 sixes for the Sharks, for a total of 120 runs from 74 balls. Gatting, who enjoys a football career, in addition to playing for Sussex, scored 122 from 94 balls. The two batsmen hit a combined 210 runs in their opening attack.
Also on the score sheet, was 22-year-old, Ben Brown, with 27 from 14, and Murray Goodwin, with 38 runs. Goodwin’s modest total is an improvement over his performance in Sussex’s Twenty20 match against Lancashire, last week, when he scored 10 runs. New Zealander, and team newcomer, Lou Vincent, hit 71 runs from 43 deliveries for Sussex. Pundits like Michael Vaughan expect Sussex to do very well.
Elsewhere in the CB40, Derbyshire Falcons defeated local rivals, Yorkshire Carnegie, despite the efforts of former Falcon, Gary Ballance. Ballance smacked ten fours from 65 balls against his old club, but Carnegie ultimately lost by six wickets.
Durham Dynamos beat Leicestershire Foxes, in a match described by the Northern Echo newspaper as a “shambles”. The Dynamos’ Mark Stoneman is alleged to have been the only oiled gear in Durham’s cricket machine. He scored his first-ever half-ton in limited overs cricket.
Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide
Sussex crush the Royals
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