ICC World Cup 2011: Team South Africa Likely

South Africa has had a very good year in ODIs in 2010. South Africa have won all but two of the 11 matches played by them during the year, in fact, have won nine straight games, a great record of any action, although Nitpickers might point out that all but one of those victories have come in against the West Indies and Zimbabwe, not the strongest teams around.

But we can use these games as a good indication of how his players to help us get to South Africa's probable team for the World Cup. South Africa have used 21 players throughout the year: Smith, Amla, Bosman, De Villiers, Gibbs, Petersen, Kallis, Miller, Ingram, Boucher, Duminy, Parnell, Langeveldt, an der Morkel, M Morkel, Botha, Steyn, Van Merwe Tsotsobe, McLaren and Theron.

South Africa has a strong area in excess of versatile, but its main problem is the lack of variety in bowling. In the range sub-continental level windows in the bowling is an asset. And therein lies the problem of getting the balance right.

The task of the elimination of seven players likely to get a list of 14 becomes easier if we consider the likes of Gibbs, whose highest ODI score during the year was 27. The other obvious candidate for delisting is Petersen, a right-handed bat who can also play at half pace, Petersen did not take advantage of opportunities that the year 2010.

On paper, McLaren should be a good option as it can hit a bit and bowl a bit, especially in turning bowls left-arm orthodox, giving the team much needed variety. That said, history is nediocre and boring. In 10 ODIs played has a batting average of less than 7.00, and only 8 wickets.

Check out some irregular hitters were given a turn during the year such as the Bosman ruling, Miller and Ingram. Ingram grabbed his chance of a century, while the other two were not as impressive despite having a half-century each. I have therefore omitted Bosman and Miller, while retaining Ingram.

Now our task is short, all we need do is stop two of the following players: Parnell, Langeveldt, A Morkel, Van der Merwe, Tsotsobe, Theron and M. Morkel I fall Tsotsobe, although there is not much to choose between him and Parnell, both bowlers left arm quick, but Parnell has been the most consistent. Theron bowled brilliantly in the recent matches against Zimbabwe, forcing an unpleasant choice between Langeveldt and M. MorkelMorkel top speed wins the day, and will Langeveldt, against my wish.

So here is my first eleven of South Africa for the World Cup: Smith, Amla, De Villiers, Kallis, Duminy, Boucher, A Morkel, Botha, Steyn, M Morkel, Theron

Backups: Parnell, Van der Merwe, Ingram

You might wonder why I kept Albie Morkel, while releasing Langeveldt. View Albie batting ability and you will know the answer. And why I have retained Van der Merwe? Just because your left arm off-spin gives a little variety to the attack.

While bowling is a bit predictable, although Steyn South Africa has a fast bowler seriously good, this team has great hitting. Check out the current form Amla and De Villiers, in 2010, AMLA were four centuries and a lowest score of 34, while De Villers four centuries with a lower score of 21. with Duminy return to form with a century, the opposition players are going to fight in the flat beds of the sub-continent in the World Cup in 2011. The only force that I think that South Africa will mount a serious title challenge this time.