On Friday Shaun Pollock, the former South African legend predicted the South Africa would win a 1st World Cup by defeating Australia in the final, helping to make-up for his own personal problems against the Australians.
Pollock told reporters: “If you want to write a perfect script for South Africa then it will be to beat New Zealand in the semi-finals in Auckland and then go on to play the final against Australia and win at Melbourne.”
Proteas have never passed the semi-finals of the World Cup since their reenter to international cricket in 1991. In 1996 Shaun Pollock was part of the team when South Africa lost to the Jamaicans in the quarter-finals in Karachi before he got 5 wickets in the tied semi-final against Australia in 1999 at Birmingham.
In 2003 Pollock was then skipper when South Africa thrashed out in the preliminary round. In 2007 they were also losing semi-finalists and in 2011 went out in the quarter-finals.
Shaun Pollock said that for him, the top four best teams will be Australia, South Africa, India and New Zealand. According to him New Zealand have played well and if it goes as per the strategies then it will be a South Africa vs. New Zealand semi-final in Auckland.
Pollock also added that South Africa, who compete Pakistan on Saturday in Auckland, are in great shape. Shaun Pollock also pointed out that five of the top six proteas batsmen have scored hundreds till now and the dashing form of AB de Villiers gives them the edge.
Shaun Pollock applauded skipper de Villiers who scored 166 runs in 62 balls in the crushing win over West Indies. He also said to watch Ab’s performance and how destructive he can be.
He compared Ab with Chris Gayle and said Chris Gayle is very devastating batsman, but Ab de Villiers is destructive 360 degrees.