LIVE player analysis, Graeme Swann (ENG) versus Imran Tahir (SA)
South Africa, who is currently leading the Group ‘B’ with most points, will face England in tomorrow’s encounter of ICC World Cup 2011. Protease have played two matches of the tournament so far; one against West Indies and the other against the Netherlands.
While England have played three matches of the event until now; in first match they defeated the minnow Netherlands while the second was a tie with India they were given a big target of 339 runs however, English stunned the spectators when they ended the match
in a draw by their strong batting performance.
Unlike their remarkable performance against mighty India, English gave a poor bowling performance in their third encounter with Ireland and were surprisingly defeated when Irish batsmen chased the big target of 328 runs using their full effort.
Both the teams – England and South Africa have dozens of talented players in their squads including – top class batsmen, versatile spinners and attacking pacers. Graeme Swann is one of the capable spinners of Protease, who is famous for his attacking spin
style with a variety of flight and bounce. The off-spinner has the ability to make little changes in the pace according to the situation.
The 31 year old off-spinner in 45 ODI innings has claimed 66 wickets at an average of 24.53 and his best bowling innings include 5 for 28 which was the fifth best bowling performance by a spinner against Australia and best by an English spinner against the
Aussies. England Cricket Board (ECB) awarded him Cricketer of the Year award in May 2010. He became the second highest wicket-taker and top ranked spin bowler after England’s marvelous Ashes 2010 victory over their arch-rivals Australia.
Former England fast bowler Angus Fraser spoke high of Swann, “As the world’s top-ranked spinner, much will be expected of him on pitches that are likely to assist him. In the subcontinent his energy and love for the game will be invaluable.”
ICC World Cup 2011 being the first tournament of Swann’s career comes his way with more challenges and promises where the passionate player is expected to take maximum advantage of the subcontinent’s pitches. Playing three group matches of the tournament
he has claimed a total of six wickets.
On the other hand, South African team is blessed with Imran Tahir, who is one of the brilliant spinners of South African team who became the part of Protease team in the start of 2011. He made his ODI debut against West Indies at Delhi on 24th
February 2011 and became the pick of the bowlers for claiming four wickets for 41. This was the fourth best ODI debut figures by a South African bowler behind Shaun Pollock, Vernon Philander and Allan Donald.
The Pakistani born Tahir proved to be a great advantage for the South African team as his earlier experience of playing at the subcontinent’s pitches worked out and became the top wicket-taker of Protease in the ongoing World Cup for claiming seven wickets.
He has played first-class cricket for 15 years in his native country Pakistan.
Former South African captain, Kepler Wessels describes Tahir as, “The surprise element will be his biggest asset.”
The clash between both the teams is expected to be tough and exciting as in an effort to straighten their ways for the upcoming stages of the ICC World Cup 2011, both the teams will try hard to beat each other.