South Africa were many experts point ‘to raise a maiden World Cup this year, but his inconsistency means that now fall behind the co-hosts Australia and New Zealand. However, AB de Villiers believes Proteas are just three games away from lifting the trophy difficult to achieve.
“I believe that 100 percent are the best team in the tournament here. Those two defeats in the group stage hurt us a little, but we have gone now. We know we’re close … three games away from taking that World Cup home, “De Villiers said.
With quarter-final against Sri Lanka dangerous appearing likely that the party of the United Arab Emirates in Wellington has a last chance for some adjustments in South Africa. It also has the potential to provide seamer Vernon Philander crucial, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury practice.
The result leaves the UAE winless in the tournament, with his last chance to snatch a victory coming against the West Indies in Napier on Sunday.
UAE captain Mohammad Tauqir surprisingly opted bowl for the first time in a tone that seemed perfect for batting, with the decision to pay dividends when Hashim Amla first miscued a pull jumped from 12.
De Kock and Rilee Rossouw made the most of some wayward bowling in a 68-run partnership with the aggressor Rossouw de Kock tried to play himself into form.
But the difficulties of the young continued when he touched an advantage to the keeper 26, leaving him with an average of less than eight of his six innings in the tournament.
Rossouw (43) after three overs later, deceived by a slower ball Tauqir that got straight back to the bowler.
South Africa were suddenly looking shaky at 96 for three years and could have been worse, with David Miller and De Villiers both scares first survivors.
They made the most of his pardons to open 100 off 99 balls, with de Villiers picking up his 45th of a half day international century.
Miller fell short of his own half-century, clean shot by Mohammad Naveed in 49 attempts a shot by shot.
De Villiers stepped up the pace after falling by 65, blasting six consecutive deliveries outside Amjad Javed.
But Javed had his revenge when he caught de Villiers in 99 as the captain tried to open his century with a striking limit.
However Behardien proved so destructive as South Africa plundered 25 runs off the end of the UAE on creating a total ever looked at your fingertips.
