Proteas’ destiny in own hands

ST GEORGE’S – South Africa can still reach the World Cup semi-finals, but only if they improve their fielding, said vice-captain Jacques Kallis.

South Africa meet England in their last Super Eights match in Barbados tomorrow knowing that a win will enable them to snatch the last semi-final place, while a defeat will probably allow England to get in ahead of them. “It all boils down to England now,” said Kallis after his side lost by five wickets to New Zealand at the Grenada National Stadium Saturday.”It’s basically a quarter-final for us and our fate is still in our hands, which is a positive thing.”South Africa put down three catches during a 78-run third wicket partnership between New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming and Scott Styris Saturday, as well as a fourth chance offered by Craig McMillan when the game was virtually sealed.”It was unfortunate,” Kallis admitted.”When you’re defending a total of 193 you need to take every chance.It was unfortunate that it was today.The fielding has been unbelievable up to now.”We’ve got to make sure we’re on top of our game against England and we have to take those half-chances.It’s certainly something the guys will work on in the next few days.”Kallis refused to be drawn on the likely impact of former South African Kevin Pietersen, who has become the world’s top-ranked one-day batsman while playing for England.”They’ve got a few big match players,” he said.”There are a few guys that we’ll have to watch out for.We’ll have a few plans.We’ve had a good look at their side over the years and we know what their strengths and weaknesses are.”New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said he expected the South Africa-England game to be tight but thought South Africa might be under more pressure.”They are two similar sides,” said Fleming whose team have made sure of their semi-final place along with defending champions Australia and Sri Lanka.”I guess it’s going to be dealing with pressure.It’s a quarter-final scenario.There will be a lot of pressure on both sides.”There will be expectations on South Africa to win it because of their ranking and the side they have.England are in a coming-from-behind situation with the least to lose in that sense.It will be a good contest.”Kallis, meanwhile, said South Africa still believed they could win the tournament.”Three big performances by the team and we end up with the World Cup in our hands.I believe we are capable of doing it and I think everyone in the team believes we are capable of doing it,” he said.Nampa-AFP”It all boils down to England now,” said Kallis after his side lost by five wickets to New Zealand at the Grenada National Stadium Saturday.”It’s basically a quarter-final for us and our fate is still in our hands, which is a positive thing.”South Africa put down three catches during a 78-run third wicket partnership between New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming and Scott Styris Saturday, as well as a fourth chance offered by Craig McMillan when the game was virtually sealed.”It was unfortunate,” Kallis admitted.”When you’re defending a total of 193 you need to take every chance.It was unfortunate that it was today.The fielding has been unbelievable up to now.”We’ve got to make sure we’re on top of our game against England and we have to take those half-chances.It’s certainly something the guys will work on in the next few days.”Kallis refused to be drawn on the likely impact of former South African Kevin Pietersen, who has become the world’s top-ranked one-day batsman while playing for England.”They’ve got a few big match players,” he said.”There are a few guys that we’ll have to watch out for.We’ll have a few plans.We’ve had a good look at their side over the years and we know what their strengths and weaknesses are.”New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said he expected the South Africa-England game to be tight but thought South Africa might be under more pressure.”They are two similar sides,” said Fleming whose team have made sure of their semi-final place along with defending champions Australia and Sri Lanka.”I guess it’s going to be dealing with pressure.It’s a quarter-final scenario.There will be a lot of pressure on both sides.”There will be expectations on South Africa to win it because of their ranking and the side they have.England are in a coming-from-behind situation with the least to lose in that sense.It will be a good contest.”Kallis, meanwhile, said South Africa still believed they could win the tournament.”Three big performances by the team and we end up with the World Cup in our hands.I believe we are capable of doing it and I think everyone in the team believes we are capable of doing it,” he said.Nampa-AFP