It was almost inevitable. The Proteas looked in good nick with Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock at the crease against India, and made a solid start to their ICC Champions Trophy “eliminator” at The Oval on Sunday.
But just when it looked as if they were well on their way to setting the defending champions a target of around 300, Amla and De Kock were gone, and before you knew it, there were two calamitous run-outs.
Almost true to form, the South Africans found a way to make life difficult for themselves as the suicidal run-outs of captain AB de Villiers and then David Miller sparked a total collapse.
Russell Domingo’s team went from 116/1 to 191 all out, and the Proteas coach must’ve wondered how his No 1-ranked team in the world – boasting the best ODI batsman in De Villiers and four other big batting guns in Amla, De Kock, Du Plessis and Miller – could capitulate once again under the intense pressure of an ICC tournament.
India had no such problems in knocking off the runs with 12 overs to spare, with captain Virat Kohli taking his team home with 76 not out.
Independent Media cricket writer Lungani Zama was in London to witness yet another forgettable episode in Proteas history at an ICC tournament.
“It’s a chance for South African cricket to reflect, and maybe revisit the approach to tournament cricket,” Zama says.