CENTURION: South Africa will go into next month’s World Cup comfortable with their status as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

The West Indies, on the other hand, are banking on reaching the knockout phase and then producing their best form.

There was a considerable gulf in performance between the two sides in a series which South Africa wrapped up 4-1 with a 131-run win in Centurion on Wednesday, the last competitive match for both teams before the global showpiece.

But the sole win by the West Indies, in the fourth match in Port Elizabeth, showed that in a one-off match past form is not necessarily a decisive factor.

Former West Indian captain Darren Sammy summed it up.

“I don’t think I have had a World Cup where South Africa have not been favourites and this time it’s no different. But in a World Cup if you play three good matches in the first round, you are into the knockout stages and with that, cricket is played on the day and anything is possible.”

South African coach Russell Domingo agreed that the final stages of a tournament lasting more than six weeks were what really mattered. “It’s a long tournament and you want to play really when it counts at the back end.”

But Domingo said South Africa would go to Australia and New Zealand high on confidence and would not be concerned if they were labelled as one of the favourites.

“All sides would rather go in as one of the favourite sides rather than being rank outsiders because it means they have been playing consistent cricket,” he said.

Looking at some of the other leading sides, Domingo said: “I think we are more confident than India and Sri Lanka at the moment. Sri Lanka lost a series in New Zealand and I don’t think India have won a game in Australia.

“New Zealand and Australia’s confidence levels are obviously up.”

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2015

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