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Decider Waugh: South Africa can be beaten
Posted: Saturday June 12, 1999 11:19 AM
LEEDS, England (AP) -- Australia's World Cup campaign reaches flashpoint Sunday when it takes on World Cup favorite South Africa in a crucial Super Six match at Headingley. Despite two convincing wins over India and Zimbabwe in the second round, suddenly Australia faces the grim reality that one loss could end its World Cup campaign. If New Zealand beats India at Trent Bridge on Saturday, Australia must beat South Africa to qualify for the knockout stage. In the event of an Indian victory, Australia can afford to lose Sunday and still qualify but face a rematch with South Africa in the first semifinal at Old Trafford on Wednesday -- three days later. Skipper Steve Waugh is fully aware of his teams predicament. "The scenario I like the best is that we finish first with six points and top the table," Waugh said. "I like that idea." For Australia to top the table it must win and improve its net run-rate over Pakistan and South Africa. Pakistan has six points and a net run-rate of 0.65. South Africa, with a match to play, has six points and a run-rate of 0.23. Australia has four points and a run-rate of 0.44. To finish first, if Australia bats first and scores 200 runs, it must restrict South Africa to a total under 125. If it is chasing a total of 200, Australia must win under 36 overs. "We've got a few things to talk about that might upset their [South Africa] plans, we're not going to give away too much," Waugh said. "If there is a possibility that we might play them in the semis then we'll hold some things back. "If it is sort of a do-or-die fixture then of course you've got to show your cards. It will all depend on [Saturday's] game." Waugh said Australia had a good record in big games against South Africa, which proved it isn't unbeatable in a 48-run loss to Zimbabwe in a group game. "They are capable of losing games," Waugh said. "They've got no real weaknesses but if you can put them under pressure...just as any other team." In the most recent one-day series involving both teams, South Africa won all its first round games before losing the best-of-three final series to Australia. "Anyone is capable of folding in big games under pressure," Waugh said. "We've beaten them in Australia a couple of seasons ago, surely they'll try to reverse that." "But we are a good side under pressure and that fills me with confidence." After losing qualifying games to co-qualifiers Pakistan and New Zealand, Australia entered the Super Six phase without any points but has been one of the form teams in the second round. Its remarkable turnaround has been inspired by fast bowler Glenn McGrath, who started Australia's comeback by taking 5-14 against West Indies. McGrath took 3-43 with the new ball against India at the Oval in the 77-run win and followed it up with 1-33 in 10 overs against Zimbabwe at Lord's. Australia will be without left-hander Darren Lehmann, who needed two stitches on his right index finger after damaging a ligament during the game against Zimbabwe. His place will be taken by Damien Martyn, who last played in Australia's 10-run defeat here against Pakistan on May 23. South Africa also has injuries concerns and all-rounder Jacques Kallis could sit out of Sunday's game with a stomach injury. Proteas' skipper Hansie Cronje said his team wouldn't "go easy" against Australia. "I can't remember this team taking its foot off the accelerator very much in recent time," he said. "How we approach it will depend on a couple of things. The league table and also a couple of injuries that we are nursing. "I don't think we want to get to a stage where we play around too much. We often find that if you play around too much and start throwing games and that sort of thing it might bite you back. So you just want to make sure that you stay away from that sort of thing."
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