South Africa are they still wearing the chocker tag?

[FILOCRICKET]

RICKY PONTING will not believe South Africa has destroyed its choker tag until the Proteas do the business against Australia when it matters most.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith declared after his team had yesterday dispensed with England in a cut-throat quarter-final and secured a semi-final match against Australia next Wednesday that the Proteas had once and for all proven their big-game temperament.

But Ponting questioned this bold statement - and for good reason.

The Australians, despite some heavy early hitting from Smith and AB de Villiers, crunched the Proteas by 83 runs in their pool group match in St Kitts last month, while the ghosts of previous World Cups linger.

South Africa will be reminded for the next week about its pair of failures against Australia in the 1999 World Cup in England, in particular the famous semi-final at Edgbaston, Birmingham, when a tied result meant Steve Waugh's team advanced to the final because it finished higher on the Super Six table.

That remains one of limited-over cricket's greatest matches, and the Proteas to this day cannot believe they failed to chase down a modest 214 to win after reaching 48 without loss.

Ponting, along with Adam Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath, are the only Australian survivors from that match, and believe that hex will remain until the Proteas dismantle the world champion on cricket's greatest stage.

"It was a big game for them yesterday but not as big as a World Cup semi-final or final," Ponting said.

"We have a great record in those games and we are looking forward to playing them, actually.

"It's a little way off.

"We have a good game to play against New Zealand first, but we are very excited about the prospect of playing South Africa."

Ponting has maintained throughout the tournament that he expected the Proteas to reach the semi-finals, even when they stumbled against Bangladesh.

The teams - at least on paper - will be evenly matched.

Both like to attack at the start of an innings, have plenty of batting depth and have an excellent pace attack.

One advantage in Australia's favour is that Brad Hogg is a frontline spinner, while the Proteas have reluctantly used left-arm finger spinner Robin Petersen just twice.

This could prove crucial on what is expected to be a sluggish pitch in St Lucia.

"They obviously played a great game yesterday," Ponting said.

"By the looks of things they might have got conditions to suit them a little bit with their bowling early on, but their batting was very good.

"They are a dangerous side."

The Proteas have never been known for their boldness, whether it be at the selection table or tinkering with game plans in times of trouble.

But that may have changed after spearhead Makhaya Ntini was dropped for the match against England.

While Ntini (six wickets at 48.83 in seven matches) had struggled all tournament, axing him was a sign of confidence.

"They have lots of depth, that's the one thing about their team," Ponting said.

"Ntini not playing yesterday and the batting depth they have is very deep.

"They have been good rivals of ours. They have played excellent cricket of late against us as well."

South Africa claimed a 3-2 home series win over Australia last year and clinched victory in the final game in Johannesburg when it chased a stunning 435 with one wicket and a ball to spare.

[Smudge]

Source please.

[Athlai]

Can't you see the headline now:

Smith Shuts Ponting Up
Smith: "I bet he feels pretty stupid right now."

[pup11]

South Africa's attitude is really poor IMO. As soon as they beat England Smith came out with a statement that South African team have got rid of their chokers tag with that win and they should no longer be termed as chokers, now its not that they have termed as chokers after just choking in one or two important games of big tournaments, they have done it time and again, and for them to get rid of that tag they would have to be more consistent.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Voltman

Source please.

© J Rodgie.

[Perm]

Originally Posted by Richard

© J Rodgie.

Poor old Rodgie isn't even here to defend himself.

[Richard]

He'd not defend himself even if he was, he'd just attack me.

That's the nature of the poor lad - he was too quick to do the latter when the former was required.

[Trigger_Tiger]

Will see tomorrow if they really still are the chokers or not!

[mavric41]

You don't stop being a choker by keeping on saying you've got over it or by winning an irrelevant game (to the situations you choked in). Only by beating Australia tonight will they put those demons to rest. If they don't, it will be another four long years until they have that chance again.

[LA ICE-E]

Originally Posted by mavric41

You don't stop being a choker by keeping on saying you've got over it or by winning an irrelevant game (to the situations you choked in). Only by beating Australia tonight will they put those demons to rest. If they don't, it will be another four long years until they have that chance again.

I really really really really really really hope they lose the tag tomorrow.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by mavric41

You don't stop being a choker by keeping on saying you've got over it or by winning an irrelevant game (to the situations you choked in). Only by beating Australia tonight will they put those demons to rest. If they don't, it will be another four long years until they have that chance again.

Not really, certain tags never go - there will always be people willing to patronise the South African cricket team with the "chokers" tag. South Africa could win every ODI for the next 10 years and if they failed in the 2023 WC it'd be "they're chokers".

Some mud sticks eternally.

[TazzX]

I find it funny that NZ has reached the semi's 5 times now and not once have they made it to the finals. Everytime they get hammered ... so LOL .. talk about chockers, you have the real deal right there!

[Prince EWS]

I don't see how losing today will prove they are chokers, unless they play ridiculously badly or throw away a winning position. Losing a game you're expected to lose is hardly choking unless there are strange circumstances to the loss.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by TazzX

I find it funny that NZ has reached the semi's 5 times now and not once have they made it to the finals. Everytime they get hammered ... so LOL .. talk about chockers, you have the real deal right there!

Again though, New Zealand were never expected to win, nor did they throw away commanding positions in those semi finals.

[nightprowler10]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

Again though, New Zealand were never expected to win, nor did they throw away commanding positions in those semi finals.

Well, they did in one. Although Inzamam taking the game away from the Kiwis probably doesn't equate them throwing the game away.