Next time round

IT IS scant consolation for South Africa that the World Cup semi-final they narrowly lost against New Zealand in Auckland yesterday has been described as one of the most exciting one-day internationals ever. The Proteas would trade that “distinction” for participation in Sunday’s final in Melbourne any day. Did they choke? After entering the final couple of overs with an even chance of winning, the Proteas were undone off the penultimate ball of the game by Joburg-born Grant Elliott, who smacked premier fast bowler Dale Steyn for a six.

Some may argue that they did choke… not carrying through when they had a realistic chance of winning represents a choke. But a rapt country, even in disappointment at the defeat, is likely to be more accepting of this particular setback than on previous occasions at the World Cup.

To slag off a team who had bravely battled and come so close after a titanic tussle, with an off-putting rain delay intervening at a key stage in their innings, would be churlish.

In one of the common clichés of modern-day sporting contests, AB de Villiers’s team left it all out there on the field. They strained their bodies, some protesting furiously at being coaxed to stretch to the limit.

WITH a good total having been posted by South Africa’s batsmen, the bowlers did not maintain a consistent enough length to build pressure on the Kiwis, though. There were fielding lapses – a couple of runout opportunities fluffed and a steepling catch offered by Elliott late in the piece grassed.

And hindsight might prompt some to question whether going with Vernon Philander instead of Kyle Abbott as a new-ball bowler was the right call.

For a while the hurt of coming so close to a final and missing out may sting – for the players and fans alike.

The next time the four-yearly tournament rolls around the South African team might look quite a bit different. Let’s hope that the lessons learnt from yesterday’s defeat can take the team one step further – to a chance to play for the crown.