Smith fancies Proteas chances

Profiles / Editor / 18 April 2007 / Leave a Comment

South Africa captain Graeme Smith feels his team showed what they are capable of in Tuesday's nine-wicket thrashing of England, which helped them reach the World Cup semi-finals.

Following their shock Super 8's defeat to Bangladesh, there were question marks hanging over the Proteas - who came into the tournament at the top of the one-day rankings.

But the mauling handed out to Michael Vaughan's England in Barbados suggested South Africa will be a force to be reckoned with in the last four.

After bowling their opponents out for just 154 in 48 overs, South Africa set about reaching their target of 155 with great ease and claimed victory with 30 overs remaining.

Smith, who hit an impressive 89 not out, admitted: "It has been tough for us at times in this tournament, and it was really important that we stood up here - and the guys did that.

"We know the sort of cricket we can play, and we produced it."
He added: "We were superb with the ball - to bowl them out for 150-odd was superb - and then we just finished them off with the bat.

"It's nice that we've got there with some momentum - semi-finals are always big games, and we'll have to be at our best."
Despite Tuesday's performance, South Africa are the 2.62 outsiders to reach the final of the tournament, with Australia trading at 1.46, Sri Lanka available at 1.82 while New Zealand can be backed at 2.12.
Punters who feel Smith's side can go all the way and lift the trophy on April 28, can back the 1999 semi-finalists at 5.2.