On Monday, Dharamsala was not ready for its close-up for SA Vs NED. Rain and snow on the bleakly brooding Dhauladhar mountains, part of the Middle Himalayas, had been pouring hard enough to rouse the sleeping since the sun had risen behind a veil of clouds. Before the day was done, 31 millimetres were projected to fall on these famed peaks and valleys, with another 8.2 millimetres forecast for Tuesday afternoon.
As a result, one of the most passionately photographed cricket grounds appeared to require dark glasses, a headscarf, and men in black suits to defend it from the paparazzi. A big ICC banner declaring the presence of the men’s World Cup here has been damaged by the elements outside the main gate. Despite the fact that two matches had been played here during the competition, workmen appeared to be putting the area back together. It was not a lovely sight, unlike most of Dharamsala’s vistas.
As lovely as pictures of this rare spot are, almost as far from Mount Everest as it is from the Arabian Sea, to be there, to breathe its crisp air and feel its coolness on the skin, is to defy nature’s laws. Daring to exist as a sentient entity here is a difficult way to live.
That will almost certainly apply to the encounter between South Africa and the Netherlands on Tuesday, and to those watching rather than those playing. However, the audience is well aware of this. The teams, despite having trained in these circumstances in the previous days after arriving from warmer locales, are in for a harsh awakening. And not just in a meteorological sense, for one of them.
South Africa has arrived in Dharamsala after victories against Sri Lanka and Australia. Another win, and they’ll have to make a real mess of things if they don’t make the semifinals. The Dutch have been defeated by Pakistan and New Zealand. Another defeat, and the bubble of happiness they created by qualifying ahead of the West Indies and Zimbabwe in July will break with a thud.
All things being equal, the first outcome is far more likely than the second. South Africa appear to be a more established team, with a greater grasp on their many assets and few faults than others. So Temba Bavuma can be excused for politely chafing at a question during his news conference on Monday that alluded to his team’s shocking loss to the Dutch in the T20 World Cup in Australia in November.
“That was a T20 World Cup, it’s a 50-over World Cup now,” Bavuma remarked in an interview. “It’s a different format and ask in terms of your skills; being able to perform your skills for a longer period of time.” That is something we should all be grateful for.”
To emphasize his point, he reminded everyone in attendance that South Africa had beaten the Netherlands by eight wickets and 146 runs in two One-Day Internationals on the Highveld in March and April. If nature’s wrath stays away long enough on Tuesday, and his team continues to play as well as they have, he won’t be asked that question again.
When: Saturday, October 17, 2023, at 14:00 IST
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Dharamsala’s Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium
What to expect: Mountain views and odd architecture, a cabbage patch of an outfield – a properly small outfield – and a pitch that challenges even non-Asian teams to select more than one spinner but rewards quicks. And rain, though not enough to disrupt the match totally, according to the prediction.
Teams In SA Vs NED
The Republic of South Africa
Given the outfield’s dimensions and the forecasted weather, perhaps a second spinner isn’t necessary. South Africa may also wish to unleash their full fast bowling power in preparation for the upcoming major games, if only to recall where their bowling bread is buttered. As a result, Gerald Coetzee might replace Tabraiz Shamsi.
Tactics and strategy: A total of 400 is a distinct possibility if they bat first and utilise all of their overs. It’s not often that a South African side enters a tournament as a batting danger, and even less often that they deliver on that promise.
But, after scoring four century in their first two matches, two of which were scored by the red-hot Quinton de Kock, South Africa’s lineup is unmistakable. Not the least of the benefits is that it relieves some of the burden on an attack that is missing vital components. Sisanda Magala, who is currently out with a knee ailment, took 8/80 in two One-Day Internationals against the Dutch in South Africa in March and April.
Probable XI: Temba Bavuma (C), Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi
Netherlands
The Dutch were the happiest cricketers on the planet when they clinched one of the remaining two spots in the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe in June and July. The smiles have no doubt faded now that they’ve lost to Pakistan and New Zealand in the main event. There is talent in their ranks, as well as levels of planning and belief that may teach other teams a lesson, but it’s difficult to see them leaving this tournament with positive memories.
Tactics and strategy: The Netherlands’ performances aren’t inspiring, but half-centuries have been achieved by Vikramjit Singh, Bas de Leede, and Colin Ackermann, and de Leede took 4/62 against Pakistan. Improving will entail combining more performances like those in a single contest.
Probable XI: Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (C), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Roelof van der Merwe, Ryan Klein, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren
Squads in SA vs NED:
South Africa Squad: Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lizaad Williams, Reeza Hendricks, Andile Phehlukwayo, Gerald Coetzee
Netherlands Squad: Vikramjit Singh, Max ODowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards(w/c), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Roelof van der Merwe, Ryan Klein, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren, Wesley Barresi, Logan van Beek, Saqib Zulfiqar, Shariz Ahmad
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