t's another bitter pill forthe Proteas to swallow...
The Cricket Paper|June 21, 2019

Derek Pringle looks at the turbulent road of SouthAfrica at the World Cup with their tournament all but ended by New Zealand this week.

t's another bitter pill forthe Proteas to swallow...

It is never wise to mockmisfortune yet somehow, when it comes to South Africa’s cricket teams, sympathy turns to schadenfreude every time they mess up – something of a default position for them in World Cups.

The widespread glee, at their expense, probably has something to do with the macho nature of South Africa’s sport and the fact that it appears largely humour-free. If they didn’t take it so seriously I doubt the measure of their latest downfall, or the ones that preceded it, would be half as pleasurable to opponents.

The latest calamity everyone is talking about is their defeat on Wednesday to New Zealand in the World Cup, a loss that almost surely seals their exit from a tournament they entered as third favourites just three weeks ago.

In a match played under leaden skies at Edgbaston on a pitch that demanded respect from the batsmen, South Africa read the runes and limited their ambition to a total which New Zealand would have to work hard for rather than be gifted. Except that, in the end, that is exactly what happened after Faf du Plessis’ team fluffed the opportunity that could have won them the game.

The boo-boo occurred in the 41st over when Colin Miller failed to take a throw from bowler Kagiso Rabada as Kane Williamson, the one batsman seemingly in control of the situation, hesitated over a leg bye. A clean take by Miller, at the bowler’s end, would have seen him run-out with New Zealand still needing 58 off 53 balls but with only four wickets in hand. Instead, Williamson survived, reached his hundred in the final over with a six, and saw his team home with three balls to spare.

Denne historien er fra June 21, 2019-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra June 21, 2019-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE CRICKET PAPERSe alt
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
The Cricket Paper

Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win

VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 04, 2020
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
The Cricket Paper

TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL

James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade

time-read
4 mins  |
October 04, 2020
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
The Cricket Paper

Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley

A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 04, 2020
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
The Cricket Paper

TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY

Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way

time-read
5 mins  |
October 04, 2020
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
The Cricket Paper

Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo

WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 04, 2020
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
The Cricket Paper

NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS

Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world

time-read
4 mins  |
October 04, 2020
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
The Cricket Paper

IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE

Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport

time-read
6 mins  |
October 04, 2020
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
The Cricket Paper

FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF

One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 04, 2020
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
The Cricket Paper

Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger

ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 04, 2020
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
The Cricket Paper

Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat

SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 27, 2020