No team can take any result for granted in a tournament involving the best ten nations out of the 120+ who officially play it – not that Bhutan, Bermuda or Kuwait were pushing for a place at the Cricket World Cup. But some upsets are far more painful than others.
Whereas England were barely ever in the game during their 69-run defeat to Afghanistan, outplayed and out-manoeuvred by a well-organised bowling attack and fearless batsmen, South Africa had pinned their underdog to the canvass before allowing them to wriggle free and manufacture a classic come-from-behind victory.
England have the confidence which comes from winning the cup four years ago after facing five consecutive must-win games. If South Africa lose to England they know they will have to win two out of three against Pakistan and the currently unbeaten log-leaders, New Zealand and India. And then they will face Afghanistan for a place in the last four. England’s belief is genuine while South Africa cannot hide the doubts.
But what makes the nature of their unexpected defeat is the fact that control was gained and then lost by one team, while the other never had control in the first place. The former scenario seems so much worse for the favourites than the latter, especially if the loss of control was as much the fault of the favourites as it was the skill and courage of the underdog.
Each member of the Proteas bowling attack on display against the Netherlands has the skill to deliver the ball at the desired pace, and in the right place, nine times out of ten. That they did so only five times out of ten for the last dozen overs was down to a breakdown in communication and a failure to think clearly under even modest pressure. It was the first time in three games they had experienced any pressure at all.
The good news, perhaps, is that they were demonstrably angry with themselves afterwards. Unlike the meek, silent shock which followed the 13-run defeat to the Netherlands in Adelaide last year and elimination from the T20 World Cup, there was a collective gnashing of teeth and a determination to make amends.
The Wankhede Stadium has a reputation for high-scoring with batters flourishing against fast bowlers who, nonetheless, enjoy bowling at the venue. “It should suit both sides, we all enjoy pace onto the bat and we both have faxt bowlers,” said Jos Buttler. “It should make for a really exciting game.”
Temba Bavuma admitted again that the “wheels had fallen off” in the last dozen overs against the Men in Orange and that, although “honest conversations” had taken place, the players had also reminded themselves no to forget “all the good work we have done.” In another encouraging admission he said the “batters took some of the negative energy from the field” into a run-chase of 245 in 43 overs which really should have been manageable.
Quinton de Kock gave the batting talk at the team meeting and half-joked that, all his years with the Mumbai Indians, he could confirm that the Wankhede was “a batsman’s paradise” Bavuma said. Seven years South African failed to defend 229 here in a T20 WC match. Eight years ago SA scored 438-4 to clinch a five-match ODI series 3-2.
Accomodation update: Like first time home buyers I followed the old but usually safe mantra of ‘acquire the worst house in the best area.’ It depends how you define ‘best’ but the district of Colaba is at the heart of bustling Mumbai, pavements bursting with stalls selling replica shirts, watches and jewellery with coconut and sweet coffee merchants between them. And many beggars.
The buildings are over 100 years-old, some derelict and others restored to their colonial beginnings. Others, like the one I’m in, continue to function amidst the disrepair. The ‘hotel’ occupies two of five floors and has no reception – or services of any sort other than a janitor who sweeps outside the eight rooms with a straw hand-brush. Two of the floors are derelict. There is an elevator so old it has no door, just a gate which you slam shut to kickstart movement.
This morning the janitor delivered a plastic pot of sweet coffee and two slices of toast with sachets of mixed fruit jam. This was a bonus – I didn’t realise my booking came with breakfast. There is a ceiling fan which is a fine reminder that there always was, and still is, a comfortable life to be had without aircon, provided you don’t move too quickly. Or much at all.
Manners, love your description of Indian accommodation in the last 2 paragraphs!
Takes me straight back to my Indian trips. I worked there for 6 months and we stayed in ridiculously luxurious accommodation. Then in 2016 I spent 4 weeks there on holiday, staying in places exactly like you describe!
The thing is... I remember and recount so much more from those 4 weeks travelling a bit rough, than the 6 months in the fancy hotel.