Quote:
Originally Posted by Spark
I think you'll have noticed that England was actually a **** team for most of that time. Also, a hint: trying to defend a team's less-than-stellar record by pouring **** on another's will win you very few friends here.
Seriously confused at your line of argument, anyway. Are you actually saying that SA's record in knockout tournaments is fine? Despite them having never won a knockout match at the top-flight tournaments since readmission?
How is this relevant?
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Stellar record? South Africa get knocked out its a choke. England get knocked out its not a choke? Tell me how its not relevant. Here everyone want to call Sri Lanka chokers for reaching a final 4 times without winning yet England are in the same boat?
Yes our records in tournaments are fine cause in 20 years time you can ask anyone who won the 19xx or 20xx WC and everyone will have to run to Cricinfo just to have a look. Ask them who won a test series and they will tell you. You seem to be worried too much about 1 form of cricket and want to go on if its the end of the world. SFW **** happens its sport you lose. We have done **** in one form by only winning one ICC knockout and a couple of triangle tournaments in the sub continent and in Australia as well as at home. But we have won a test series in every country who is a test playing nation since reinstatement to international cricket. Graeme Smith got rid of 3 England captains so far. Currently we have the no 1 test ranking after beating England on their own turf again.
Please tell me India or Pakistan or Sri Lanka or any sub continent team have they ever came to SA and won a series here? Ever? Let me answer it for you no. But do you see they give a **** about it no. Because just like we have accepted we do not have the best XI or that one star batsman like a Tendulkar, or Ponting, or a Lara or Jayasuriya who single handedly can win a game in ODI for you. We rely on more of a team effort and do our best when we re not branded as favorites or we are written off. Almost like NZ we like to lift ourselves when not expected to. We do that in all the sports Rugby WC 95 is one example.
A one day game is a one day game. On the day you can win or lose just like a series. Especially if the teams are closely matched. We have just accepted we are not the best at those times. Late 90's specially 1999 to 2007 the Australian team although on their way into a rebuilding stage were head and shoulders above the rest including us. We just played above ourselves to compete with Australia. Everyone seems to forget these
First series win in Sri Lanka
3rd Test: Sri Lanka v South Africa at Colombo (PSS), Sep 14-19, 1993 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
2nd Test: Australia v South Africa at Sydney, Jan 2-6, 1994 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
Pepsi Sharjah Cup - Final
Final: India v South Africa at Sharjah, Apr 19, 1996 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
Final: South Africa v West Indies at Dhaka, Nov 1, 1998 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
Test win in Pakistan
Wisden - Pakistan v South Africa
Following Klusener rahter than team all round display
Wisden - New Zealand v South Africa 1998-1999 <- Right before 99 WC Rise of Klusener
Wisden - South Africa v Sri Lanka
2nd Super: Pakistan v South Africa at Nottingham, Jun 5, 1999 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
Test series win in India
2nd Test: India v South Africa at Bangalore, Mar 2-6, 2000 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
LG Cup Final
Final: India v South Africa at Nairobi (Gym), Oct 3, 1999 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
Wills Quadrangular Tournament - Final
Final: South Africa v Sri Lanka at Lahore, Nov 8, 1997 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
Standard Bank International One-Day Series - Final
Final: South Africa v Pakistan at Cape Town, Apr 23, 1998 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
Standard Bank Triangular Tournament - Final
Final: South Africa v India at Durban, Oct 26, 2001 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
VB Series - final
2nd Final: New Zealand v South Africa at Sydney, Feb 8, 2002 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
Another tie vs Aus
3rd ODI: South Africa v Australia at Potchefstroom, Mar 27, 2002 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
To win series against Australia chasing 209 after being 122/6 Brett Lee bowled 2nd fastest ball in cricket in that game at the time
3rd ODI: South Africa v Australia at Johannesburg, Apr 16, 2000 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
First Test series in England since 1965
3rd Test: England v South Africa at Birmingham, Jul 30-Aug 2, 2008 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
End of Vaughan Captaincy after that
First Test series win in Australia - South Africa registered the second-biggest successful pursuit in history
1st Test: Australia v South Africa at Perth, Dec 17-21, 2008 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
Decider to win ODI series vs Australia chasing 434
5th ODI: South Africa v Australia at Johannesburg, Mar 12, 2006 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
South Africa have successfully chased 200-plus targets seven times since 2000, the most by any team during this period.
Another test series win in England another captain from England the casualty. Third one in Smith's collection
3rd Test: England v South Africa at Lord's, Aug 16-20, 2012 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
Looking back what we have achieved in 20 years I am satisfied what my country has achieved. Despite not winning a World Cup we have matured in test cricket and looking at the last few years we have put more focus on the test side and building it than what we would with the ODI's. The you have to remember we have to adhere to quota's where color first merit last criteria is used in picking the squads. So we have done very well to stay competitive.
With T20 we have a couple of experience players with youngster where we use T20 as development more than anything.