Smith happy to avoid tense end to group stage

KOLKATA: Now that South Africa doesn’t have to be concerned about qualifying, Graeme Smith says his squad will enjoy ”cruising” into the World Cup quarterfinals.

Smith said it was good not to be caught up in the tense finish to Group B, where India, England, West Indies and Bangladesh are still vying for the group’s three remaining places in the quarters.

The Proteas qualified with a comfortable 131-run win over Ireland at Eden Gardens on Tuesday, and will have the luxury of watching on as the other teams battle it out.

”Our group this week is a tense week for a lot of teams,” Smith said. ”It’s nice not being caught up in that tension, as so often we are. It’s nice to be cruising a little bit.

”It’s nice that we don’t have to deal with that (tension). We can look at our squad heading into that Bangladesh game now.”

South Africa will instead take the chance to give the likes of AB de Villiers, legspinner Imran Tahir and fast bowler Dale Steyn, who have all picked up injuries, a rest ahead of the knockout stage.

De Villiers and Tahir missed the game against the Irish, while Smith said Steyn had a slight recurrence of a side problem while bowling against Ireland.

Smith said Steyn only bowled four overs against the Irish after ”he felt his side a little bit.”

”I don’t think it’s that serious but we didn’t feel like risking it,” Smith said.

De Villiers has a thigh strain, while Tahir is resting a fractured left thumb. De Villiers would be assessed this week, Smith said, while bowlers Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Wayne Parnell —who are yet to play at the World Cup —would be considered for the match against Bangladesh.

The recovery of the three players is now the leading concern for the South Africans in their low-key finish to the group stage, while England face a must-win game against West Indies in Chennai on Thursday.

Co-host and pre-tournament favorite India are also not assured of a quarterfinal spot ahead of their final Group B contest, also against the West Indians.

Smith said South Africa would still approach Bangladesh with a ”mindset to win” but it’s more about fine-tuning now for the Proteas ahead of the knockout matches.

”We would love to string a full performance together over 100 overs,” Smith said. ”I don’t think we have played our best game yet.”