Bangalore, February 18: India and Sri Lanka, the sub continent cricketing giants, are fancied to lift the World Cup, South Africa cricket consultant Duncan Fletcher opined today.
Talking to newsmen at the Chinnaswamy stadium here, where the South African team had a session at the nets, Fletcher, a former England coach and Zimbabwe player, however hastened to add that South Africa, England and Australia also have the capability to win.
He said though inexperienced, South Africa can rise to the occasion and win.
Asked about the bad track record of the Porteas in the World Cup, Fletcher said, ”this South African team can turn the tide”.
Certain circumstances led to the team’s failure in the previous world cups, he added.
Admitting that the middle and lower order batting of South Africa has to improve, he said the team has the potential to raise to the occasion. He said both the spin and seam department has the necessary arsenal and can perform. Botha and Duminy in slow bowling would chip in and Robin Peterson is also bowling well, he added.
Fletcher said he was prepared to take up coaching assignment for India, after Gary Kirsten, who has decided to quit after the World Cup.
-Agencies