Jan 11
20
Cricket World Cup 2011
With just under a month to go to the 2011 Cricket World Cup, all focus will be on Bangladesh as they host the 10th World Cup in the game of cricket. 14 countries in two pools will battle it out on the cricket grounds in Asia to fight for the ultimate trophy in the game. The tounramnet kicks off on 19 February and goes through to 2 April with 49 50/50 one day international day/night games to be played at 13 stadiums in 3 countries.
The torunament is divided into 2 phases: the group stage and the knockout stage.
Firstly the fourteen participants are divided into 2 groups A and B and each team will play each other once at various cricket grounds. After all teams have played their 6 matches, the top 4 will go onto the quarter finals, with winners going on to the semi finals and then to the finals. In the group 2 points are awarded to the winning team and 0 to the losing team and if the result is a draw then just 1 point.
The groups are as follows:
Group A: Australia, Canada, Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe
Group B: Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Netherlands, South Africa, West Indies.
In the history of the tournament, South Africa has only appeared 5 times and has never reached the finals, only the semis (1992, 1999, 2007) so lets hope the Proteas can make it all the way this year. A final would be great but a win would be legendary.
The preliminary South African Squad is as follows:
- Graeme Smith (Captain)
- Hashim Amla
- Johan Botha
- AB de Villiers
- JP Duminy
- Faf du Plessis
- Colin Ingram
- Jacques Kallis
- Morne Morkel
- Wayne Parnell
- Robbin Peterson
- Dale Steyn
- Imran Tahir
- Lonwabo Tsotsobe
- Morne van Wyk (wicket keeper).
But no matter how the tournament ends up, I’m sure that all games are going to be a blast to watch with lots of beers to be drunk and biltong to be eaten.
Go Proteas!!!!
