HISTORY OF CHOKES!!

A team that has always had fantastic batsmen, great bowlers and the most fantastic fielding has never won a World Cup or even reached the final. The case of South Africa losing their way in crucial matches is something that cricket fans are used to and more often than not it has come when it looked like they would win without problems.

In their last test series before international isolation due to apartheid, South Africa had beaten a strong Australian side 4-0 in a test series. That South African line-up boasted the likes of Barry Richards, Eddie Barlow, Mike Proctor, Graeme Pollock, Peter Pollock to name a few. An unfortunate turn of events ended what could have been a fantastic test side. Had this not happened, who knows probably the course of South African cricket would have been very different and they may have challenged the mighty West Indies in the first few World Cups.

When South Africa entered the scene again in 1991 they looked a fantastic side and were real contenders for the 1992 World Cup. They reached the semis and were a victim of a dubious rain rule which left them 22 runs to get from 1 ball. Since then South Africa’s affair with knock-out matches has been rough. Apart from the first ICC Champions Trophy (ICC Knock Out then) 1998 which they won, they have lost almost all crucial matches that were essential for their progress in the tournament.

I am of the opinion that South Africa “choking” every time in such crucial matches is psychological more than anything else. It looks like the weight of history is a burden in such games. The 1992 semi final, the 1999 Semi final etc are etched in their memory when they go to play these games. What happens is that they go on to add even more games to this list as the weight of history makes them put pressure on themselves.

Here is a list of important games that South Africa have lost in major tournaments.

1) 1999 World Cup semi final versus Australia: Can anybody forget this game? South Africa did very well to restrict Australia to 213 a score that looked really chaseable given the batting line-up the Proteas had. They lost four wickets in quick succession but Kallis and Rhodes got them back in the game. Even when they got out, Klusner was hitting the ball all around the ground and it looked like South Africa would get through. In the last over with nine needed with one wicket in hand, Klusner smashed the first two balls for boundaries, played a dot and then ran to get the winning runs but his partner Allan Donald did not respond. South Africa were out as the tournament rules said that the team that the team that won the previous encounter between the two teams in the World Cup would progress.

2) 2002 Champions Trophy semi final verus India: This is one game that I wouldn’t forget. Chasing 261, Gibbs and Kallis were cruising and with the score at 192 for 1, Gibbs retired hurt and the started the slide. Two runs later, Rhodes was caught by Yuvraj at short fine leg, a catch that made the commentator say “Jonty caught by Jonty.” Kallis stood at the other end watching a remarkable slide. South Africa fell short by 10 runs.

3) 2003 World Cup first round: South Africa, the hosts won their games against the minnows , but lost to West Indies and New Zealand. With Kenya causing a few upsets, South Africa needed to beat Sri Lanka in their last league game. Rain threatened at one stage when South Africa were chasing. At the end of the over they needed to by 240 odd. Two balls to go and they were seven runs away. Boucher hit a six, celebrated and then blocked the last delivery. Out came the covers and later they realized that they had miscalculated the D/L par score, and they had just tied the game. As a result they were knocked out.

4) ICC World T20, super eights versus India: South Africa were the only unbeaten team coming into this game and India needed to win to qualify. India put up 150 on the board. To be assured of qualification South Africa needed to get at least 129. They bundled up for 109, India progressed and won the championship.

Apart from there they also choked in the ICC World T20 2009 and 2010. In almost all tournaments they have looked fantastic and like today they have collapsed from a very comfortable position. The team that they have is fantastic and do not have to worry about making any changes. South Africa will have to wait four more years for another shot at the biggest cup.