Did South Africa choke? Graeme Smith says no
Graeme Smith had an interesting answer when asked whether South Africa choked in the semi-final:
"We certainly didn't choke. We were just not good enough. We were outplayed, and you have got to give them credit. To me a choke is when you get close to winning and you kotz up [throw up] on yourself. Maybe there were one or two loose shots at the beginning. The top order got out to good bowling."South Africa earned the chokers tag back in 1999 with Allan Donald's infamous brain explosion in the World Cup semi-final. I've included it here, if just for the reason that I still think embedding YouTube movies is cool:
After rewatching this footage, I almost agree with Virtual Gaz's assertion that Donald threw the match - his actions are either suspicious or one of the greatest chokes of all time. But I digress. Smith's answer got me thinking - is it all just a knee jerk reaction? I know I was thinking 'chokers' about 10 overs into their innings. Jonny asked in yesterday's post 'was there any way that South African could have lost this match and not "choked"?' Good question. I suppose if South Africa had set a valiant 300 then Matt Hayden chased it down with a blistering century, we might have conceded... nah, who am I kidding? We still would've called them chokers!
Usually in these types of discussions, the writer whips out an Oxford dictionary and pompously recites a definition. Well, I'm too lazy to go to the bookshelf so instead I'll quote the dictionary.com definition of choke:
"to become too tense or nervous to perform well"That sums up South Africa's batting nicely. After the wickets of Smith and Kallis (which I attribute to poor execution of an aggressive strategy - or maybe they just choked), the middle order collapse was due to anxious, insipid batting. The match was decided at the 10 over mark. The moment of choking doesn't have to be at the death with victory in sight. Steve Harmison choked in an over at Brisbane that set the tone for the rest of the series. England famously lost an unloseable Test match when they choked for one hour at Adelaide. Sometimes it can be an early choke that a team never recovers from.
| Posted by JC on Fri 27 Apr |  13 comments |
To add to this post, I've just read Tim Nielsen's take on South Africa's loss:
Interesting logic. They're chokers cause they're talking about choking. Or as they say in the classics, "methinks they protest too much!"
Posted by JC on 2007-04-27 10:56:39
"I always find it funny when a team feels it has to go out there and defend itself against talk that they are mentally scarred. From my experience, if you don't bring things up, you're probably not worried about them. But if you feel the need to go out there and make all sorts of statements and denials, then you probably are in a bit of trouble."
Interesting logic. They're chokers cause they're talking about choking. Or as they say in the classics, "methinks they protest too much!"
Posted by JC on 2007-04-27 10:56:39
I wonder if Smith will lose the captaincy? The CEO of South African Cricket doesn't seem too pleased, either that or he is worried his job is on the line.
It will be interesting to see once this world cup is finished to see just how many, Captains, players, coaches, support staff board members will quit, be fired or retire. I am sure there will be some sort of record the way things are going.
Posted by Andrew on 2007-04-27 13:00:16
It will be interesting to see once this world cup is finished to see just how many, Captains, players, coaches, support staff board members will quit, be fired or retire. I am sure there will be some sort of record the way things are going.
Posted by Andrew on 2007-04-27 13:00:16
As far as I know, the SA coach Mickey Arthurs is the only coach who's keeping his job after the World Cup. Brutal tournament, eh?
Posted by JC on 2007-04-27 14:01:46
Posted by JC on 2007-04-27 14:01:46
I think Smith and Kallis were undone by brilliant bowling.
Bracken bowled Smith with a ball that started at on the line of leg stump and swung away to hit the top of off stump. Sure Smith walking down the pitch made it look terrible, but in truth that ball would have got almost any lefthander out either bowled or caught behind.
Kallis fell to MacGrath's fantastic experience and pin point execution. Not many bowlers in the world would have predicted Kallis's movement to the legside and delivered a perfect offstump yorker.
Posted by P. Dorf on 2007-04-27 17:43:53
Bracken bowled Smith with a ball that started at on the line of leg stump and swung away to hit the top of off stump. Sure Smith walking down the pitch made it look terrible, but in truth that ball would have got almost any lefthander out either bowled or caught behind.
Kallis fell to MacGrath's fantastic experience and pin point execution. Not many bowlers in the world would have predicted Kallis's movement to the legside and delivered a perfect offstump yorker.
Posted by P. Dorf on 2007-04-27 17:43:53
Don't even give Gilly a second thought until Monday morning JC. It's obvious you just thinking about Gilly sabotages his innings.
In fact, just forget that I wrote this.
Posted by TA on 2007-04-27 17:47:43
In fact, just forget that I wrote this.
Posted by TA on 2007-04-27 17:47:43
I almost couldn't believe my eyes when MacGrath got Kallis, I was just thinking about how well I've seen Kallis play over the years, and then they showed a close up of him as he took stance. His eyes were glazed over like a calm warrior awaiting his enemy... then I blinked and his stumps were in pieces!
Whatever happens tomorrow night, MacGrath can definately say he went out on a high note.
Posted by Chris on 2007-04-27 20:56:52
Whatever happens tomorrow night, MacGrath can definately say he went out on a high note.
Posted by Chris on 2007-04-27 20:56:52
I just hope McGrath goes out taking a wicket on his last ball like he did during the Ashes. I definately don't want to be seeing him with a bat in his hand tomorrow!
Posted by MT on 2007-04-27 20:59:01
Posted by MT on 2007-04-27 20:59:01
TA, maybe I should set the alarm for 12.30 instead of 11.30 - it will give Gilly a good hour to knock up a quick 50 before I plonk in front of the TV.
Posted by JC on 2007-04-27 21:48:13
Posted by JC on 2007-04-27 21:48:13
Gilly has saved his best for last, when it really matters! But, just in case JC, watch the coin toss and then rack off if we bat first.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-04-28 00:09:31
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-04-28 00:09:31
hey mate.
Each time i see the clip of the 99 semi-final i get the feeling donald threw that match away. I mean look at him trying the suicide just the previous ball, and then the next one again.
I hope we get to know someday.
Meanwhile, I wrote a blasphemous article about Bradman on my blog. I wanna know your thoughts. Its at http://blogbible-cricket.blogspot.com
Pat
Posted by Pat on 2007-04-28 00:32:06
Each time i see the clip of the 99 semi-final i get the feeling donald threw that match away. I mean look at him trying the suicide just the previous ball, and then the next one again.
I hope we get to know someday.
Meanwhile, I wrote a blasphemous article about Bradman on my blog. I wanna know your thoughts. Its at http://blogbible-cricket.blogspot.com
Pat
Posted by Pat on 2007-04-28 00:32:06
JC, I think you hit the nail on its head...Donald threw the match away...no doubt about that...I saw that clip after a few years and with all we know about match fixing now, there is no doubt in my mind.
Posted by Jay on 2007-04-28 04:52:00
Posted by Jay on 2007-04-28 04:52:00
No doubt in my mind - definitely trying to run himself out. No one agreed with me until the Cronje murder. Woolmer was part of it then I'd say...
Posted by virtualgaz on 2007-04-28 20:06:19
Posted by virtualgaz on 2007-04-28 20:06:19
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