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Looking for revenge

Reflecting on the Pepsi Cup in India, shows what one-day cricket is all about. Narrow margins between victory and defeat. The margin for error is getting smaller and smaller and I do believe in what Bob Woolmer used to say: "Attention to detail" and "one run can make a diffierence".

Looking back I have to say that the poor showing in the field and the loose bowling at Cochin in my mind had a lot to do with the result of the series. After beating India 2-0 in the Test matches and scoring 301, we should have finished them off at 100 for 4, but couldn't land the final punch that would have put serious doubt into the Indian minds. Instead they took a lot of confidence from that match and played better and better as the tournament progressed.

Injuries to Hayward and Williams took some of the sting out of our attack and I look forward to the Sharjah tournament where a full battery of fast bowlers will be licking their lips at the prospect of bowling under lights and on a slightly harder pitch. The ground here looks in tremendous shape and after winning 5 out of 5 here last time, the boys are certainly looking forward to playing here again.

Both India and Pakistan have played under lights here, but it will be our first experience of conditions in the evenings. Something we all look forward to.

Cricket is such a great unifying factor and has done wonders in South Africa. Walking around the stadium after the match in Nagpur and waving to the crowd, I just realised how fortunate I've been to have played in India and all around the world. Obviously it was disappointing loosing the series after playing reasonably well, but the experiences and the knowledge of people will stay with me forever and ever. As Alanis Morrisette said in one of her songs, Thank You India.

I want to echo those words and say that to play cricket in your country is a special feeling and something I'll never forget. Your team has done well and showed great character in coming back after the heavy losses in Australia and during the Tests against us. Your new captain seems like he is enjoying the job and we are all looking forward to taking revenge here in Sharjah.

(Gameplan)

Hansie Cronje