Waugh backs South Africa to go all the way

NEW DEHLI:

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh says old rivals South Africa are no longer the brittle team of the 1990s and have emerged as the standout side of the World Cup.

Waugh was the captain of the team that beat South Africa in a must-win Super Six match of the 1999 World Cup en route to their title triumph over Pakistan at Lord’s. The game at Leeds against South Africa is still remembered for a dropped catch off Waugh and the way the Proteas crumbled to hand the Aussies a key win.

The former captain said the current South African side appeared one of the strongest contenders for the coveted crown.

“They had one ‘choke’ game against England, but since then, they have not put a foot wrong,” said Waugh. “They’ve prospered away from the limelight and favourites’ tag, and displayed some skill in areas that haven’t been their forte. Significantly among these is spin. They’ve used the slow bowlers well and, starting with Imran Tahir and continuing with Robin Petersen, they’ve proved they can go all the way in the subcontinent.”

Dernbach delighted at World Cup call-up

Fast-bowler Jade Dernbach may have become the fifth South African-born player to form part of the England squad, but he insisted that his dream is an English World Cup triumph.

Dernbach, who was called up as a replacement for the injured Ajmal Shahzad, joins fellow South African-born teammates – captain Andrew Strauss, Matthew Prior and Jonathan Trott – preparing for the quarter-final against Sri Lanka.

“I was born in South Africa but that’s no more my home,” said Dernbach. “I was just born there but my whole cricket career is based in the UK and that’s my home and I want to give everything I can for England because that’s my country and I love it.”

The fast-bowler was flown in from the Caribbean where he was playing for the England Lions after Shahzad suffered a hamstring injury.

“It was a very pleasant surprise, a nice wake-up call in the Caribbean,” said the 24-year-old. “Any opportunity to play for your country, you need to grab with both hands.”

The 24-year-old hoped his stint at the Dennis Lillee fast-bowlers academy in Chennai will help him on the subcontinent pitches if he gets an opportunity to play.

“I know these pitches are challenging but that’s why we play the game. I hope I’m able to share my skills if I get a chance.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2011.