21st Match, Group B -
England v South Africa
MA Chidambaram Stadium,
Chepauk, Chennai
Sun Mar 6
04:00 GMT | 09:30 local
10:00 BDT
Andrew Strauss England
Andrew Strauss is a cricketer transformed from the slightly one-dimensional accumulator whose calm approach has been so invaluable in Test cricket since his debut in 2004. Since returning to the one-day outfit in April 2009, he has by his own admission enjoyed the opportunity to bat with a new sense of freedom, as showcased by his tally of 14 sixes in his last 35 matches, compared with eight in 68 in his previous incarnation. He has developed a priceless ability to anchor the innings while still pushing along at a comfortable tempo.
Graeme Smith South Africa
Graeme Smith is a prolific batsman, strong on the front and back foot. He has safe hands in the slips or the outfield but his most valuable asset now is the maturity and charisma he shows as a leader. Under Graeme Smith, South Africa have not won a piece of ICC silverware and the 2011 World Cup will be their last chance to do so, since Smith will step down after the event. He had played just 22 ODIs, and that number was also his age, when he became captain but signs were already there that he would make a formidable player and leader. Smith is aggressive and strategic, both as a captain and as a batsman. His drives through the off-side are merciless and he punishes anything on the pads through midwicket. Smith’s average in this format peeps over 40 and he has close to 6000 runs. In 2007, he became the first ODI player to hit six fours in an over.
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