South Africa are likely to adopt a flexible bowling approach when they meet the Netherlands on Thursday in a bid to find the right combination before bigger World Cup games. The Proteas, known for relying on pace, sprang a major surprise when they included three spinners during their seven-wicket victory over the West Indies in their opening match in Delhi.
An encounter against the Netherlands, who have lost both of their matches, will provide South Africa with a chance to assess bowling options before their key clash against a resurgent England in Chennai on Sunday. Skipper Graeme Smith has already said South Africa will be more flexible in their approach this time around in an attempt to reach the World Cup final for the first time.
"Sometimes when you come up with things and it works out it's a great thing. It (spin) worked for us against the West Indies and we will reassess going into the next game (against the Netherlands)," said Smith. "There is also a bit of an unknown factor about us this time. Many of the boys have not been in the side for a long time, so there will be more of an element of surprise about us this time than in other World Cups."
South Africa, semi-finalists in 1992, 1999 and 2007, surprised the West Indies when Smith opened the attack with off-spinner Johan Botha, who dismissed free-stroking Chris Gayle in his opening over. Smith defied the pace tradition when he used spinners Botha, Imran Tahir and Robin Peterson for 29 overs against the West Indies.
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