SA could tweak bowling line-up

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Durban - Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir are expected to be match fit and ready for selection in time for South Africa's match against the Netherlands on Thursday at the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Steyn picked up an injury after running into skipper Graeme Smith during a soccer match on Sunday.

"Every team has some kind of injury but every single guy will be up for selection come Thursday," said Steyn in an interview broadcast on SuperSport.

"It wasn't a tackle. Looking at the ball... bang... I was actually competing against a heavyweight," said Steyn.

Tahir on the other hand was diagnosed with a respiratory infection.

Batsman JP Duminy, recovering from some tightness in his lower back, took part in a full net session on Tuesday, which would have made the South African selectors sign with relief.

Earlier this week, bowling coach Vincent Barnes hinted that pace bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe could feature in South Africa's second group B match. 

South Africa can afford to leave out one of their three frontline spinners as conditions Mohali does tend to favour the pace bowlers.

The Netherlands started their campaign with a bang against England, almost causing an upset. They did, however, lose steam against West Indies suffering a 215-run defeat.

But with news that only 10 teams will be competing in the next World Cup, the Dutch will definitely give it all their got against the Proteas. 

The Dutch side, frustrated with their inconsistencies, was unimpressed with the ICC's decisions to axe four teams because they struggle to get enough games against major cricketing nations as it is.

The Netherlands though will look to South African-born Ryan ten Doeschate and Tom Cooper for vigorous contributions with the bat if they are to pose any challenge to a presently formidable Proteas squad.

In the 2007, World Cup when these two sides met, the South Africans annihilated the Dutch, beating them by 221 runs. It was a match that also saw history being recorded when Herschelle Gibbs scored six sixes in an over at a World Cup. - BuaNews