The T20 World Cup is heating up with the Super 12 group stage matches coming to an end and we already are getting an impression of the teams that will progress to the semifinals. According to former Australian World Cup winning captain Ricky Ponting, South Africa have impressed him the most. The Proteas recently lost to Pakistan in a rain affected game and now they need to win against the Netherlands to confirm their semifinals slot.
However they have been very consistent barring the Pakistan game and have shown the reasons why they are one of the favourites to lift the cup this time. The Temba Bavuma led side were exceptional against heavyweight India as they bowled with a lot of purpose and also bat with a lot of aggression, making them a very balanced team.
Despite being impressed with the Proteas, Ponting went with his heart and shared how he feels that it would be great if Australia finds a way to enter the finals. He backed Aaron Finch’s men to reach the finals and has predicted a final against India. “Honestly, who knows who is going to be playing in Melbourne. I hope Australia finds a way to get through the group. South Africa are the only unbeaten team left so they will be dangerous but I will say what I did at the start and that is an Australia versus India final,” Ponting mentioned in a ICC column.
But for that to come true, Australia will have to spark a huge win against Afghanistan in their penultimate clash of the super 12. However a lot will depend on the results of New Zealand and England’s matches. The Aussies will know the result of New Zealand as Kane Williamson’s men will play Ireland before the hosts take the field against the Afghans. But even if they win they will have to wait for England’s result against Sri Lanka. Overall it is difficult for the hosts but there is still some hope for them.
However Ponting’s comments about South Africa came before they lost to Babar Azam\’s Pakistan. So now things have only spiced up in both the groups. However Ponting shared how he told his players to cherish the moment ahead of big matches when he was the Australian captain.
“Every big game I went into, especially when I was captain of Australia, I told the boys to embrace the moment for what it is. Don’t let it run away from you, don’t treat it like any other game, because it is not. The more you can express to yourself and to others that this is a bigger game, then you are not trying to hide anything and the better you will play,” Ponting revealed.
It will be interesting to see how things turn up as both the groups have been evenly poised. SOme teams have the upper hand over the others but in cricket stranger things have happened. For Australia, they need to do their part by winning big against Afghanistan and then hope for other results to go their way.
