Mark Boucher handpicks two youngsters who can be key to SA's success in WTC final
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): Former Proteas head coach Mark Boucher believes that if South Africa can gun down the reigning World Test Champions, Australia, it could mark the beginning of a new era. He also identified two youngsters who could be the key to their success in the upcoming final at Lord's.
South Africa earned a spot in the WTC final after winning seven consecutive Tests and finished at the top of the table standings. After getting a shot at ending their trophy drought, South Africa found itself surrounded by criticism, considering they had just played 12 fixtures to fight for the WTC mace.
'A lot of people have criticised South Africa, which is not really fair. You play what's in front of you, and with all due respect, the sides that we've played against, we probably should have beaten, and we've done that. So we find ourselves in a final. But I wouldn't say that it has got the crowds going in our country,' Boucher told ESPNcricinfo during the IPL.
'Everyone's very excited about it now as the opportunity arises, a lot of people are going to travel over to London, spend all their Rands and go watch what should be a good match. If we win it, I think then that could be the turnaround for Test cricket in our country,' he added.
During the buildup to the high-stakes contest, fans and many former cricketers deemed Australia the on-paper favourites. After years of faltering in the semi-finals of the ICC events, Boucher believes it is time to get rid of the 'chokers' tag.
'We're playing for a trophy, so I guess a lot of people are saying no [we can't win], but I think it's a different feel in Test match cricket,' he said. 'It's played over a longer period of time and you've just got to win big moments in the game as well. Yes, there will be that tag [chokers] that gets thrown our way until we win a trophy,' he said.
'You're not going to get rid of the tag. Is it deserving on these youngsters coming through? No, it's almost like they're carrying the burden of what happened in previous years, which is always going to be tough on them, but they're the ones in control of their futures at the moment,' he added.
For Boucher, South Africa youngsters Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs are two youngsters who could be the key to their success in the pulsating contest that kicks off on Wednesday.
'Ryan Rickelton has been playing nicely for Mumbai Indians (MI) and he was actually on the tour that we went to England [in 2022] as well. He's actually played quite a few games in England as well, so he'll know the conditions,' Boucher said.
'And Tristan Stubbs has come back and played a lot of domestic cricket and basically forced his way into the Test side because of the runs that he's got. On paper, Australia will probably feel that they've got a better batting line-up than what we have, but have we got the attitude to go out there and in a one-off game, just leave it all out there? Absolutely,' he added.
South Africa squad: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy.
Australia squad: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Retired HC judge John Michael D'Cunha who convicted Jaya to probe Bengaluru stampede
BENGALURU: Karnataka govt tasked retired high court judge John Michael D'Cunha with submitting a report within a month on the June 4 stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 and wounded over 75 during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL victory celebrations, officials said Saturday. A govt notification on June 5 directed Justice D'Cunha - who gained national prominence in 2014 for convicting former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa in a disproportionate assets case - to give priority to the stampede probe. He already heads inquiries into the pandemic medical procurement scam and oxygen-related deaths at Chamarajanagar hospital in Karnataka. His one-member commission - appointed on Aug 25, 2023, and set to conclude work by July 31 this year - has now been granted an extension till Aug 31 to accommodate the additional case. "Since the commission needs to prioritise the stampede and submit its report in a month, the term has been extended," the govt order read. CM Siddaramaiah's govt has launched a three-pronged investigation - judicial, magisterial, and CID, which took over the criminal probe Friday evening from Cubbon Park police. Bengaluru Urban deputy commissioner is heading the magisterial probe. CID officers inspected the stadium and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) office Saturday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo They seized CCTV footage, collected the digital video recorder for forensic analysis, and questioned KSCA staff. Two deputy SPs and several inspectors are part of the probe team. Police custody will likely be sought Monday for four key suspects already remanded in judicial custody: RCB marketing head Nikhil Sosale, 38; DNA Networks director Sunil Mathew, 49; ticketing official Shamanth SP, 38; and manager Kiran Kumar, 40. Three FIRs were filed earlier by Cubbon Park police before the handover. CID is expected to issue notices to additional accused in coming days, while also coordinating with hospitalised survivors. The magistrate probe is progressing in parallel, with Bengaluru Urban DC Jagadeesha G summoning over 25 wounded people to record statements on June 11. He said notices will be issued to police officers deployed during the stampede.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Bengaluru stampede: Cops had warned against feting RCB at legislature
BENGALURU: Three days after a stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium killed 11 peopleat RCB's IPL win celebration, it emerged that senior police officer MN Karibasavana Gowda had red-flagged the risks just before the event. His written warning to top bureaucrats on June 4, the day of the tragedy, also cautioned against the felicitation at Vidhana Soudha. "Lakhs of cricket fans are likely to come to Vidhana Soudha. Since there is a shortage of security personnel, making bandobast will be a problem," Gowda, in-charge of security at the legislature, wrote to department of personnel and administrative reforms secretary G Sathyavathi. Sidda, DKS have blood on their hands, they're trying to wipe it on cops: BJP In the letter, which TOI is in possession of, Gowda also pointed to the venue's sensitive status and lack of adequate CCTV coverage. Hours before the surge, department of personnel and administrative reforms secretary and senior IAS officer G Sathyavathi, overseeing arrangements at Vidhana Soudha steps, publicly urged fans to head to the stadium instead - a short distance away. The team was feted at the legislature and the celebrations then moved on to the stadium. But fears of overcrowding had set in well in advance. Despite the warning, RCB's IPL victory celebrations were allegedly rushed through - less than 24 hours after the final match - without proper crowd control or safety protocols. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Costco Shoppers Say This Wrinkle Cream Is "Actually Worth It" The Skincare Magazine Undo Sources said the DCP's note was also shared with then Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayananda, who in turn flagged it to chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh. But permissions were still granted. Adding fuel to the political fire, Union minister and JD(S) functionary HD Kumaraswamy alleged Saturday that the celebrations were "pre-planned" even before RCB won. "The FIR says permission for the June 4 event was sought on June 3 at 6pm - 90 minutes before the final even began. Did they dream about winning?" he asked, demanding accountability from CM Siddaramaiah , deputy CM DK Shivakumar, and home minister G Parameshwara. He questioned the need for a felicitation so soon. "Was such a slipshod felicitation needed? Who put pressure on the police commissioner at 7.30am that day for permission?" BJP's Bangalore North MP and Union minister Shobha Karandlaje echoed the outrage, calling it a "misuse of govt space". "The grand stairs of Vidhana Soudha have always been used for swearing-in or state functions. You used it for a private team," she said. Accusing the Congress brass, Karandlaje said: "Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have blood on their hands. Now they're trying to wipe it on police officers. Where are KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala hiding?"
India Gazette
5 hours ago
- India Gazette
Mark Boucher handpicks two youngsters who can be key to SA's success in WTC final
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): Former Proteas head coach Mark Boucher believes that if South Africa can gun down the reigning World Test Champions, Australia, it could mark the beginning of a new era. He also identified two youngsters who could be the key to their success in the upcoming final at Lord's. South Africa earned a spot in the WTC final after winning seven consecutive Tests and finished at the top of the table standings. After getting a shot at ending their trophy drought, South Africa found itself surrounded by criticism, considering they had just played 12 fixtures to fight for the WTC mace. 'A lot of people have criticised South Africa, which is not really fair. You play what's in front of you, and with all due respect, the sides that we've played against, we probably should have beaten, and we've done that. So we find ourselves in a final. But I wouldn't say that it has got the crowds going in our country,' Boucher told ESPNcricinfo during the IPL. 'Everyone's very excited about it now as the opportunity arises, a lot of people are going to travel over to London, spend all their Rands and go watch what should be a good match. If we win it, I think then that could be the turnaround for Test cricket in our country,' he added. During the buildup to the high-stakes contest, fans and many former cricketers deemed Australia the on-paper favourites. After years of faltering in the semi-finals of the ICC events, Boucher believes it is time to get rid of the 'chokers' tag. 'We're playing for a trophy, so I guess a lot of people are saying no [we can't win], but I think it's a different feel in Test match cricket,' he said. 'It's played over a longer period of time and you've just got to win big moments in the game as well. Yes, there will be that tag [chokers] that gets thrown our way until we win a trophy,' he said. 'You're not going to get rid of the tag. Is it deserving on these youngsters coming through? No, it's almost like they're carrying the burden of what happened in previous years, which is always going to be tough on them, but they're the ones in control of their futures at the moment,' he added. For Boucher, South Africa youngsters Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs are two youngsters who could be the key to their success in the pulsating contest that kicks off on Wednesday. 'Ryan Rickelton has been playing nicely for Mumbai Indians (MI) and he was actually on the tour that we went to England [in 2022] as well. He's actually played quite a few games in England as well, so he'll know the conditions,' Boucher said. 'And Tristan Stubbs has come back and played a lot of domestic cricket and basically forced his way into the Test side because of the runs that he's got. On paper, Australia will probably feel that they've got a better batting line-up than what we have, but have we got the attitude to go out there and in a one-off game, just leave it all out there? Absolutely,' he added. South Africa squad: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy. Australia squad: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett. (ANI)
