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| April 09, 2007 | Monday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 20, 1428 |
Proteas slammed after shock result
JOHANNESBURG, April 8: South Africa's crushing defeat against Bangladesh in the World Cup was greeted with derision back home on Sunday, with former players slamming the team's complacency and one-dimensional pace attack.
‘Proteas humiliated’ read the headline in the Sunday Times which said the hopes of glory for the team ranked number one in the world in one-day cricket had ‘suffered a severe setback’ as a result of their ‘dismal performance.’
“The defeat plunged South Africa from being among the favourites to reach the semi-finals to possibly needing to win all three of their remaining matches against the West Indies, England and New Zealand,” the paper added.
Rank outsiders Bangladesh cruised to a 67-run victory over the South Africans in Guyana on Saturday, their first ever victory over the Proteas.
Former South African captain Kepler Wessels said Graeme Smith's team had been guilty of underestimating a Bangladesh side which has already accounted for India in the first round of the tournament in the Caribbean.
“We probably turned up and thought it was a walk in the park, something we could take for granted,” he said on the Supersport cable network.
Much of the damage was caused by a trio of left-arm Bangladeshi spinners, while South Africa went into the match without any recognised slow bowler.
Commentators have long warned South Africa's over reliance on pace could come back to haunt them in the tournament.
Former chairman of selectors Omar Henry said the selection of the team had not taken the pitch conditions into account.
“We left the spinner out but where are we? Sometimes we have to think on our feet,” said Henry who was himself a left-arm spinner.
“We have gone in with a very one-dimensional approach,” agreed Wessels. “We do not have the bowling options. We were exposed, badly exposed.”
While South Africa were one of the pre-tournament favourites, the defeat has again raised questions about the mental toughness of a team that earned itself a reputation for choking after early exits at previous tournaments.
Legendary batsman Barry Richards, commentating from the West Indies, said he had heard of stories of dressing-room unrest with players frustrated at being holed up in rainy Guyana for the last fortnight.
Star batsman Jacques Kallis has in particularly shown signs of tetchiness after coming in for criticism over his slow scoring rate in a previous match against Australia.
Seemingly stung by the criticism, Kallis played an uncharacteristically innings on Saturday but was caught for 32 when trying to hit Syed Rasel over the top.
As the top order was gradually skittled out, South Africa appeared to give up their run chase and seemed to be just trying to bat out their innings as Herschelle Gibbs made an unbeaten 56.
“They gave up. It was as if Gibbs was having a glorified net,” said Henry. “It was a pain to watch.”—AFP
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