I wanted to play against Kenya and it has not really been
explained to me why I was left out.
If I was struggling I would understand but I've been bowling well in the
nets between games.
The Kenya match was the kind of game where you get a chance to gain some rhythm and
momentum, and hopefully a few wickets.
For some reason I had a shocker against the Windies.
But I feel in good
nick and I'm going into the New Zealand game determined to
prove people wrong, and silence the critics who believe I am over the hill.
I, along with the rest of the team, have taken perhaps the worst stick ever in the newspapers.
We were expecting it to a point after the loss to West Indies, especially with the tournament being in South Africa.
I struggled against WI but want to get my World Cup back on track
But all we could do is beat Kenya and beat them well, and that is what we did.
I wouldn't say our match against the Black Caps on Sunday was make-or-break for South
Africa, but for us it is the crucial match of the
New Zealand are a dangerous side playing very well and although we have a good record against them, they're unpredictable to the extreme.
We have spent a day studying videos of their batsmen's dismissals and their
hitting areas, and we've worked hard on where to bowl to certain players.
Stephen Fleming and Chris Cairns are especially big threats, Andre Adams has
sprung up from nowhere and Chris Harris is still doing a job.
And it says a lot of their bowlers that they have managed without Cairns.
Shane Bond is bowling extremely well at the moment, and very quickly.
Of course we will have to gain a result without Jonty Rhodes, whose retirement has been
a huge blow.
Jonty was brilliant both on and off the field.
It will take two or three
guys to make up for his bubbliness and it is very sad to lose him.
We gave him a good send off on Friday and of course he was upset - he has
always played with his heart.
I'm in a positive frame of mind and ready to prove people wrong
But we have to look forward now.
Graeme Smith is a very able back-up and a
lot of people would have picked him in the squad in the first place.
We will be playing for Jonty now and hopefully he can still be part of a winning team.
Our key problem so far has been the way we back up the opening bowlers.
Traditionally, the first four bowlers have been fundamental to our success - you could expect
myself and Jacques Kallis to bowl our first six overs for about 18 and
get the odd wicket.
So far, though, Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock have done some good work but
Jacques and I haven't fired.
But I'm in a positive frame of mind and ready to prove people wrong against the Kiwis.