South Africa seem to split curse
South Africa has faltered at crucial stages of major events so many times that their 'chokers' tag is as much of a constant as the national flag on the players' sleeves.
Sydney 1992 (WC semifinal), Karachi 1996 (WC quarterfinal), Edgbaston 1999 (WC semifinal), Durban 2003 (Group Game), St. Lucia 2007 (WC semis) and Durban 2007 (Super 8 game T20 WC) all bring back bitter memories for South African supporters and players. In all these tournaments, they were tipped to win before crashing. Now, SA's mettle will be tested once again in the World T20 semis against Pakistan on Thursday.
Graeme Smith's men have won all the five games they have played so far.Pakistan have been brilliant in patches but have stumbled and stuttered into the semis, but it is now that they are most dangerous. Pakistan can play uninhibited cricket and surprise anyone on their day. SA, on the other hand, are tipped as title favourites.
Will that tag put them under pressure again? One good news for South Africa will be the return of vice-captain Jacques Kallis.
Kallis missed Tuesday's Super 8 match against India due to a back niggle, but he has been declared fit. Kallis and the rest of the batsmen will need to handle the reverse swing of Umar Gul, a variety that destroyed New Zealand at the Oval last weekend.
South Africa has faltered at crucial stages of major events so many times that their 'chokers' tag is as much of a constant as the national flag on the players' sleeves.
Sydney 1992 (WC semifinal), Karachi 1996 (WC quarterfinal), Edgbaston 1999 (WC semifinal), Durban 2003 (Group Game), St. Lucia 2007 (WC semis) and Durban 2007 (Super 8 game T20 WC) all bring back bitter memories for South African supporters and players. In all these tournaments, they were tipped to win before crashing. Now, SA's mettle will be tested once again in the World T20 semis against Pakistan on Thursday.
Graeme Smith's men have won all the five games they have played so far.Pakistan have been brilliant in patches but have stumbled and stuttered into the semis, but it is now that they are most dangerous. Pakistan can play uninhibited cricket and surprise anyone on their day. SA, on the other hand, are tipped as title favourites.
Will that tag put them under pressure again? One good news for South Africa will be the return of vice-captain Jacques Kallis.
Kallis missed Tuesday's Super 8 match against India due to a back niggle, but he has been declared fit. Kallis and the rest of the batsmen will need to handle the reverse swing of Umar Gul, a variety that destroyed New Zealand at the Oval last weekend.