KEY POINTS:
Firstly, let's forget about Friday the 13th, I stubbed my toe and it hurt. I've moved on.
So too, I'm sure, have the lads who had a tough day out against Sri Lanka. I think any time something goes wrong the initial reaction is to lay blame or
look for excuses.
From my involvement in the Black Caps over the last two months I know the loss would have hurt, but the character of this team and their ambition to reach their potential would have been reinforced with a brief get-together the morning after.
We usually chat openly about how we saw the game and what we learned from the conditions - and they will be signing off on their strategies for the South African game with all they learned against Sri Lanka on board.
What I picked up from that match was that the wicket looks very slow.
Batting first is always trickier but, from my experience over there, the wickets can fall apart during the day, so getting a reasonable total is the best tactic - usually.
Going into this morning's big game, the lads will have confidence they know more about the conditions than the South Africans.
The South Africans are coming off a loss as well - and that would also have brought them down to earth after their impressive form over the last three months.
Jacques Kallis is a man in form and the guys know he is the link to them winning.
Ignoring Graeme Smith - he often gives an early chance - we should be aiming to trap Kallis early on. He gets a bit rooted to the crease early in his innings and I'll be surprised if the guys are not looking to give him a few straight ones and maybe pin him LBW before he knows what's hit him.
I'd also be planning to run out AB de Villiers. He's a good bat and fast between the wickets but I've noticed he gets himself into mix-ups and sometimes isn't as good between the wickets as he should be - a definite run-out chance.
Get Kallis LBW early and run out de Villiers and Bob's your uncle. Actually, Bob really is my uncle and he's a bloody good plumber too.
It won't be that easy, but if we can win this game we are certain of a semifinal spot.
One of the big things that I think will tip the game our way is our bowling options.
South Africa don't have the same quality slower bowlers. On this big ground and with our Friday the 13th experience, Jeetan Patel and Daniel Vettori are surely going to enjoy it.
Maybe the fighting spirit of Craig McMillan and his golden arm will be used to bounce Kallis out. Then again, maybe not as Kallis will be LBW for 0 if our plan works. So maybe we'll have to aim Macca at Herschelle Gibbs.
If it happens as I have described, I'm off to buy a Lotto ticket.
In fact, since I'm missing out on the bonuses now, I'm going to buy a Lotto ticket each week till the end of the World Cup to see if there's any justice in this world.
