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Wrapped in woollens to fight the chill and wind, two youngsters peeped through the small opening, trying to catch a glimpse of the South Africans at ‘nets' ahead of their World Cup encounter against The Netherlands.
For the kids, who have managed to enrol as volunteers, it would be a big day, seeing Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn in the flesh. What of the Dutch? The boys just shrugged their shoulders. ‘Don't know much of them.'
For The Netherlands, it has been a tedious journey, trying to establish itself on the highest platform in world cricket. Its best batsman, Ryan ten Doeschate, advocates T20 cricket for his team. Most times, the Dutch, very inconsistent, appear lost on the field, short of ideas and will.
It is still a team in the process of forming the ideal combination. But then it is also a team that made its World Cup debut in 1996. With time, The Netherlands has only slowed down its progress for want of playing opportunities against the big teams.
The South Africans have had their ups and downs too, but the onus has been on learning the lessons fast. The flexibility factor stands out in this South African team. To exploit the conditions they are likely to encounter here, three spinners form the nucleus of the attack.
The South Africans are no more falling back on just pace to deliver. The team has variety and that is the key for any team to excel.
The pitch at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium is expected to assist the fast bowlers. Given the conditions, South Africa might be tempted to exclude a spinner.
A surprise
The first match against the West Indies saw South Africa spring a surprise by including three spinners, opening the attack with offie Johan Botha. It could be different here.
The overwhelming South African show in its match against the West Indies only highlighted the balance that Graeme Smith talks about. The team does not rely on one individual. The excellent form of A.B. de Villiers and the scorching pace that Steyn generated at Kotla are worth looking forward to in this match as South Africa looks to dominate. The team had some fitness concerns regarding Steyn, Imran Tahir and JP Duminy though.
The Dutch have problems galore. They were brilliant against England at Nagpur, but it was hard to believe the same team could surrender so meekly to the West Indies at Kotla. This inconsistency has remained The Netherlands' biggest drawback. The spectators, expected to be sparse, would be lucky if they get a decent fare. The lop-sided nature of most contests in the league has hardly done justice to the stature of the tournament.
For the record, South Africa has played The Netherlands only twice, both in World Cup. It won by 160 runs in Rawalpindi (1996) and 221 runs at Basseterre (2007). If they change the trend on Thursday, the Dutch would win a few friends at Mohali. Two prospective fans, we know, would watch them closely
The teams:
South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt.), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, A.B. de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Morne van Wyk.
The Netherlands: Peter Borren (capt.), Adeel Raja, Wesley Barresi, Mudassar Bukhari, Atse Buurman, Tom Cooper, Tom de Grooth, Alexei Kervezee, Bradley Kruger, Bernard Loots, Pieter Seelaar, Eric Szwarczynski, Ryan ten Doeschate, Berend Westdijk and Bas Zuiderent.
Umpires: Asoka de Silva (Sri Lanka) and Richard Kettleborough (England).
Third umpire: Simon Taufel (Aus).
Match referee: Jeff Crowe (Nzl).
For the kids, who have managed to enrol as volunteers, it would be a big day, seeing Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn in the flesh. What of the Dutch? The boys just shrugged their shoulders. ‘Don't know much of them.'
For The Netherlands, it has been a tedious journey, trying to establish itself on the highest platform in world cricket. Its best batsman, Ryan ten Doeschate, advocates T20 cricket for his team. Most times, the Dutch, very inconsistent, appear lost on the field, short of ideas and will.
It is still a team in the process of forming the ideal combination. But then it is also a team that made its World Cup debut in 1996. With time, The Netherlands has only slowed down its progress for want of playing opportunities against the big teams.
The South Africans have had their ups and downs too, but the onus has been on learning the lessons fast. The flexibility factor stands out in this South African team. To exploit the conditions they are likely to encounter here, three spinners form the nucleus of the attack.
The South Africans are no more falling back on just pace to deliver. The team has variety and that is the key for any team to excel.
The pitch at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium is expected to assist the fast bowlers. Given the conditions, South Africa might be tempted to exclude a spinner.
A surprise
The first match against the West Indies saw South Africa spring a surprise by including three spinners, opening the attack with offie Johan Botha. It could be different here.
The overwhelming South African show in its match against the West Indies only highlighted the balance that Graeme Smith talks about. The team does not rely on one individual. The excellent form of A.B. de Villiers and the scorching pace that Steyn generated at Kotla are worth looking forward to in this match as South Africa looks to dominate. The team had some fitness concerns regarding Steyn, Imran Tahir and JP Duminy though.
The Dutch have problems galore. They were brilliant against England at Nagpur, but it was hard to believe the same team could surrender so meekly to the West Indies at Kotla. This inconsistency has remained The Netherlands' biggest drawback. The spectators, expected to be sparse, would be lucky if they get a decent fare. The lop-sided nature of most contests in the league has hardly done justice to the stature of the tournament.
For the record, South Africa has played The Netherlands only twice, both in World Cup. It won by 160 runs in Rawalpindi (1996) and 221 runs at Basseterre (2007). If they change the trend on Thursday, the Dutch would win a few friends at Mohali. Two prospective fans, we know, would watch them closely
The teams:
South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt.), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, A.B. de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Morne van Wyk.
The Netherlands: Peter Borren (capt.), Adeel Raja, Wesley Barresi, Mudassar Bukhari, Atse Buurman, Tom Cooper, Tom de Grooth, Alexei Kervezee, Bradley Kruger, Bernard Loots, Pieter Seelaar, Eric Szwarczynski, Ryan ten Doeschate, Berend Westdijk and Bas Zuiderent.
Umpires: Asoka de Silva (Sri Lanka) and Richard Kettleborough (England).
Third umpire: Simon Taufel (Aus).
Match referee: Jeff Crowe (Nzl).