An obviously disappointed Proteas captain Graeme Smith backed his team yesterday following their dramatic loss to England in the group stages of the Cricket World Cup.
Set the modest target of 172 on a slow and crumbling pitch in Chennai, the Proteas were unable to reach the target following a spectacular batting collapse. Cruising at one stage at 63/0, with Hashim Amla and Smith at the crease (although Smith was struggling), they were bowled out for 165.
While the conditions were unquestionably very difficult, it was disappointing that SA’s new-look middle order couldn’t finish off the match against a dogged England attack.
A win would have put the Proteas in the driving seat for qualification for the next round, instead they face tricky outings against India, Ireland and Bangladesh with just 4 points in the bag.
“We’ve handled ourselves in some tough situations over the last few years, I don’t think pressure is our weakness,” said Smith.
Smith believes South Africa established their fighting credentials back in 2008/09 when they beat Australia in the Test and ODI series in Australia. Unfortunately, that past history counts for nought, as the Proteas need to do the business now if they want to reach their first ever Cricket World Cup Final.
Probably the best cricketing nation never to make a final, the Proteas have long had to fight off the “chokers” label from opponents and international media.