India still playing in WC-2007 ?

Looks like South Africa is the new India of the world cup. Here's Neil Manthrop raising some relevant question on South African team which sounds very similar to the questions raised aginst Indian team.

If the golden boys of the national team (Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Herschelle Gibbs and Makhaya Ntini) are untouchable when the team is playing well and winning, why is Andrew Hall still dispensable even when he is in the best form of his life?

* Why was it seen as important for Hall to be given a 'rest' because when South Africa faced four matches in 10 days, a schedule normally regarded as a near-holiday on a normal tour? Was the real issue, in fact, a desire to include Andre Nel at whatever cost - to appease his obvious disgruntlement at not playing?

* Is Shaun Pollock happy? Has he been able to cope with the murder of Bob Woolmer, one of the most powerful influences on his life and career? With a young family at home and the simmering reality that Woolmer was killed in an official, ICC sanctioned hotel, and the fact that the ICC have basically said nothing more than 'get on with the tournament' - has his equilibrium been affected?

* Is Kallis happy? Subjected to vitriolic and stupid criticism at home following the defeat to Australia, Kallis was offered only luke-warm support by his team mates. At a team meeting recently, apparently, it was suggested that Kallis be dropped down the batting order in the event that South Africa once again make a flying start to their innings as they did against Australia. Not much of a display of unity for the man who has won 27 man-of-the-match awards for his country.

* Has AB de Villiers been prematurely promoted to 'Golden Boy' status? Is the team's unquestioned faith in his undoubted talent justified?

* What's going on with Justin Kemp? Are the rest of the squad happy with him playing as a 'luxury' batsman at number seven and bowling a grand total of seven overs?

* Are all the players genuinely happy that they tried to make the best of a difficult situation in Guyana? Some, certainly, attempted to be positive in awkward circumstances but there were others who were more content to whinge and moan rather than accept the reality and get on with it.

SuperCricket