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Another cricket world cup, another heartbreak for the Proteas. Five semi finals – four defeats and a tie (which ultimately knocked them out in 1999). A record that the South African cricket side just cannot shake.
Six-weeks ago, I asked the question: Can the Proteas stop choking? Well, the answer seems to be no!
Despite the shock loss to the Netherlands (batting second) and the dismal performance against India in which the Proteas were bundled out for just 83 (batting second), the South Africans were quite dominant throughout. Five of their seven victories were won by more than 100 runs while they fought hard to win against Pakistan before easing to victory over Afghanistan.
Australia, after losing their opening two games against South Africa and India, marched through to the semi finals with seven-straight wins. And so it was scribed that another world cup semi final would be contested between South Africa and Australia.
The coin was tossed – Proteas won – batting first, “yes” we thought. But Mitchell Starc (3-34) and Josh Hazlewood (2-12) had other ideas. The pair decimated the Proteas top-order as Quinton de Kock (3), Temba Bavuma (0), Rassie van der Dussen (6) and Aiden Markram (10) were all back in the hut with only 24 runs on the board and 12 overs gones.
Heinrich Klaasen (47) and David Miller (101) fought valiantly to restore some order while Gerald Coetzee (19) and Kagiso Rabada (10) made sure the Proteas got over the 200-run mark, being bowled out for 212 in the final over.
The Australians made a fast start with David Warner (29) striking one four and four sixes and Travis Head (62) adding 60 for the first wicket in a little over six overs. A doddle was on the cards.
But enter the spinners! Markram (1-23), Tabraiz Shamsi (2-42) and Keshav Maharaj (1-24) put the breaks on the Oz-juggernaut, leaving the five-time world champions with some edgy moments.
Coetzee – affectionately known as The Karate Kid – grabbed 2-47 to leave Australia needing 20 runs with three wickets in the bank. Coetzee almost had Pat Cummins caught-and-bowled but the ball fell agonizingly out of reach.
Markram almost had Cummins too but the ball landed just in front of Miller at short mid-wicket. De Kock then put Cummins down from a thin inside-edge off Markram’s bowling.
All the half-chances that just did not go the Proteas’ way. All the semi final’s that just did not go the Proteas’ way.
De Kock finished as the Proteas leading run-scorer with 594 runs including four centuries, followed by Van der Dussen with 448 runs. Coetzee finished as the leading wicket-taker, grabbing 20 wickets in his debut world cup, considering he should not have been in India had Anrich Nortje not been injured.
De Kock also finished with 20 scalps behind the stumps – the first by any player! Markram, Maharaj and Rabada all finished the tournament with economy-rates under five runs to the over.
The Proteas did not produce bad stats. They did not falter through the tournament. But, like they have done many times before, they faltered when it mattered! One could question whether Bavuma’s form or Lungi Ngidi’s injury had any impact?
Yes, they fought till the end against Australia. They had everyone on the edge of their seats, glued to their tv screens, cell phone screens, tablet screens, monitors, keeping an eye on Cricinfo, Flashscore and give them a Bells for that. But, don’t give them ice and water, rather top it up with vinegar.
All too long the Proteas have harboured hope reaching a world cup final – let alone winning it – and have come up short.
So, unlike the Springboks, we have to wait another four years to have another go – and 2027 will be in our own backyard.
Please keep Shaun Pollock away from the Duckworth-Lewis sheet this time!
