The SCG will live long in South Africa’s ODI memory, after they thumped Sri Lanka by nine wickets, with a record 192 deliveries up their sleeve.
Sadly, this meant no fitting farewell for Sri Lankan batting legends Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
On Tuesday South African skipper AB de Villiers made this promise to his country: “We are not going to choke, we’re going to play a good game of cricket, and come out on top.”
But in the back of his mind would be the six previous World Cup appearances (where there are no quarter finals shown, it was straight to semis):
1992 – lost to England in the semis by 19 runs.
1996 – lost to West Indies in the quarters by 19 runs.
1999 – lost to Australia in the semis in a tie, as Australia had the better run-rate.
2003 – failed to make the finals series.
2007 – lost to Australia in the semis by seven wickets.
2011 – lost to New Zealand in the quarters by 49 runs.
True to his word, de Villiers didn’t even have to bat, but he led South Africa with aggression after losing the toss, setting up the romp.
But the South African success with the ball came from two slowies, not the much-vaunted pace attack of Dale Steyn (1-18), Kyle Abbott (1-27), and Morne Morkel (1-27).
Offie JP Duminy had to advise his skipper he was on a hat-trick, having dismissed Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews with the last ball of his eighth over, then Nuwan Kulasekara and Tharindu Kaushal with his first two balls of his ninth.
De Villiers didn’t tell anyone else in the team, but the celebrations said it all when Kaushal fell leg before.
But it was man of the match leggie Imran Tahir who ended up South Africa’s most potent bowler, with 4-26 off 8.2 taking his tournament figures to 15 wickets at 18.86.
South African left-handed opening batsman Quinton de Kock was in the mix for the man of the match with by far his best score of the World Cup – an unbeaten 78 off only 58 deliveries, including 12 sweetly timed boundaries.
His previous digs were 7, 7, 12, 1, 0 and 25. If South Africa is to enjoy a successful campaign, more De Kock knocks like that are vital.
Those were the game highlights, but for Sangakkara and Jayawardene their salutes are for lengthy careers.
In ODI history, the top five batsman are Sachin Tendulkar (18426 at 44.83), Sangakkara (14234 at 41.98), Ricky Ponting (13704 at 42.03), Sanath Jayasuriya (13430 at 32.36), and Jayawardene (12650 at 33.37). Three Sri Lankans in the top five.
That Sangakkara and Jayawardene should call halt at the same time is a sad day for Sri Lanka. They have been household names for what seems an eternity – Jayawardene for 17 years and Sangakkara for 15.
Sangakkara cracked 25 tons and 93 half-centuries, Jayawardene 19 tons and 77 half-centuries,
Both will be sorely missed around the world as Sri Lanka bowed out of the tournament.
But South Africa has sent out a strong warning – they are not on a junket in Australia, they are here to win their first World Cup.
Jokerman
Guest
SA are showing to be inconstant and they now need to win two in a row. Biltonk is just stating the facts. They're a chance, but they are not favourites. 23% chance of winning. NZ I would put at 45%
Vic
Guest
Ha! Off to enjoy the Aus/ Pak match on the Oval in my Saffer colours - can't lose....just hope I don't end up sitting close to a Pakistani orchestra :) Fortunately I understand Urdu, so I'll be able to translate for Davey if he doesn't understand........
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes, it's better for us to be viewed as underdogs, which I believe we are for SF and Final, for sure.
It is fine Vic, as long as the Aussies continue to believe we are chokers, the more they will underestimate us ;)
Vic
Guest
Aside from the fact that that no limited overs match actually truly matters, but yeah....and oh, at least they haven't choked against Zimbabwe, but yeah.......
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Aside from the fact they'd lost every match in limited overs history that ever truly mattered then yeah...
Vic
Guest
He he BB - every Friday I go into the weekend believing my teams will win, every Sunday I am furious and feel cheated, swearing I will never watch them again, every Monday I avoid my Aussie/Kiwi colleagues, by Tuesday I am realistic and discuss the loss in an adult, unemotional way with my mates, by Wednesday I'm getting my hopes up, by Friday.....hope is a great thing, mate
Hi Vic, belief in your team's ability that they can win yes, belief that they will win, no. We follow our teams because of that uncertainty, not because it is guaranteed.
Vic
Guest
But you have to be fair and equal in your expectations of all fans then, Vas - not just South African fans.... To take away a man's belief in his team's ability to win would be to not only deprive us of endless cycles of despair and pleasure, but to deprive the powers that be of all their money, as no- one would attend sporting events, or watch TV, if we were all realistic with healthier attitudes...
When has this become about "I told you so?"
Neil
Guest
You just lost the right to be happy when we win it by the way. You can't have 'I told you so' and 'I'm happy we won it.' You can't have both.
Jacques
Guest
In my mind to choke, you have to go into a match as overwhelming favourites and then loose. In this game the Proteas were not overwhelming favourites in anyone's mind, as such, had they lost, to label them chokers would have been wrong.
Vic
Guest
Kid looks 12 years old :)
spruce moose
Guest
It was great. The genuine emotion De Kock was displaying when he hugged Sanga was fantastic.
Green Lantern
Roar Pro
I understand that knock out games is more of a lottery, especially between the top cricketing nations. West Indians could just as easily defeat NZ. Or Pakistan could defeat Aus and vice-versa. Yesterday SA could have been on the chopping block, but it wasn't to be. SA could have lost but we didn't, and it was my absolute believe that we won't. I respect everyone's opinions and I don't hate any team/country, but it's not in my DNA to be level headed and hoping we'll win. It's not in me to look at statistics and past performance. We are in the here and now, so please don't fault me when I blindly believe we will win. My Saffa arrogents is ampified. If you want to remain objective about your team's chances, then your just a spectator and not a fan.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Nor have I PongoPete. Those were hypothetical scenarios I was listing. Beyond that though, are you saying Dhoni does not have the ability to hit Steyn out of the attack?
Photon
Guest
Sorry the comment is so long, I know I know I should have just written my own article
Photon
Guest
Knock out formats are important because they test how well you handle pressure Group stages are also fair as they give the teams that perform better an easier draw (cricket is a bit less fair though) this I get a home semi regardless where I finish is bull. Venues should be decided before the tournament so everyone knows what they will need to do to win and hosts should know that to get an ideal draw they also need to perform. Most players and teams will play in multiple tournaments with numerous chances to succeed if they are good enough. As a South African it is hard to accept but the reality is that our cricket team has not been mentally strong enough to perform when it has mattered in the past and that is the only reason the Aussies have been champions 3 times and us none in the last 20 years. Some people think these tournaments are lotteries but I don't agree, they provide a test of character (a la Dhoni: What a captains innings, in the 2011 final, Waugh in the 1999 group game, which became a knock out match for Australia and Warne: what a spell, in the 1999 semi). Those performances are historic not just because they changed matches, but because of the importance of the matches they changed, you don't get that in group matches. The above does show that blind optimism will not help you either though. South Africa can will only win this tournament if when the time comes we find the courage to overcome adversity. We have failed 2 times so far when presented with that challenge against India and Pakistan the question is will we be able to bring about a different result next time cause not everyone will go as quietly as Sri Lanka did today Difficult as it will be for some people to accept if South Africa wins this tournament in the MCG in front of 100 000 Aussies it will be because they are a better team than Australia when it matters and not cause of some miracle 1 in 6 event.
DMC
Guest
Cause why would any of us watch sport if there was 'no doubt' about the result?
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Hey Joe, thanks for your thoughts, and the little send-off at the end. Always love those! The format is fair in that all the teams play within the structure. But it is inherently unfair in that a team like WI is given the same chance to win the tournament as NZ or India. The format that allows the top four out of seven to be given the same chance to win (regardless of whether you win all or half your games) is a format that enables mediocrity. This format was done at the behest of the ICC and the BCCI, whose lifelong fear is a loss of personal profit when India doesn't quality. The old Super Six format was the best and fairest, in that it forced the eventual winner to maintain consistency before two knockout matches. As far as the RSA v UAE game, I can humbly say I was misguided about that, especially on last night's evidence. That said, it will be interesting to see how adequate preparation a thrashing of SL in Sydney is for an away meeting in Auckland (most likely against NZ).