A sober and objective look at South Africa's chances in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament would have many worried because things have not gone in the best way during the lead up to the competition. Following on from a pretty successful Twenty20 period, where the Proteas won many more games than they lost, the two losses to the Aussies at home brought home the fact that the side is still trying to find its feet in the format. It is not all doom and gloom though, as whatever happens before really does not matter. It is how they go at the tourney that all must watch. One has to remember that the last time they played in Sri Lanka against a very good Sri Lankan side, especially in their own conditions, they came out victorious. They did decently in the United Arab Emirates, which also has very similar conditions to what will be encountered in Bangladesh during this year's edition of the T20 World Cup. Within the ranks of the Proteas are some very special players, who could probably make most of the other teams that they are to play against. The likes of AB De Villiers, Dale Steyn and David Miller have to play prominent roles in the national side's campaign if they are to succeed in going all the way. The most important thing for the team, though, is that every single member of the squad plays in expressive and free fashion when they are in the eleven. The one thing that showed as the old foe, Australia, did battle with South Africa, is how each player in their ranks is confident to go about the job in the way they see fit at the time. This surely comes from the knowledge that everybody within the group backs their decision-making and all that they then have to worry about is execution. Going about things in that way does not mean that players are not going to get things wrong but it sure gets them to commit fully to what it is they are trying to do, without the thought of "what if it fails". Any kind of doubt, no matter how small, in the heat of battle, is detrimental to players and must be eliminated so that they can play with ultimate confidence. It would be nice to see the South African team play with flair and go all out at their opposition. The likes of Amla, De Villiers, Miller and Du Plessis could put many a bowler under pressure and that would be something to behold. Of course there would have to be method to the madness and a definite plan on how to go about things. What most, I'm sure, would like to rid the Proteas side of, is that eerie feeling when under pressure. It looks like the team will timidly fold rather than forcefully burst out of the shackles. In this world cricket tournament, it is fair to say that the Proteas go in as massive underdogs, with Pakistan, Australia, West Indies and India being the ones touted to take the title. It is therefore a good starting point for South Africa to be in the other group that doesn't have any of those teams. It affords them the chance to quietly go about their business and maybe surprise everyone.
