Pressure proves potent against Proteas

Did you know that the Protea, the floral symbol of South Africa’s cricket team, was named after the Greek god Proteus whose greatest attribute was his ability to change forms or shapes?

Much like the South African cricket team really.

One minute they are an unbeatable team of Spartan-esque warriors, ready to stamp their authority on world cricket the next, well, as you can see from their loss to Sri Lanka in the first game of this year’s Champions Trophy, are about as deadly as a box of kittens.

There must be something heinously ingrained on the South African psyche when it comes to ICC events.

They have failed consistently in the past and it again appears that hosting a championship will be their downfall when it should be their windfall.

For those who argue that hosting an event is anything but an advantage is a fool. You play on YOUR own grounds, in YOUR conditions, with YOUR home crowds and somehow that isn’t an advantage?

After dismissing danger man Sanath Jayasuria early, Graeme Smith’s decision to bowl after winning the toss was shown to be foolhardy and only rain prevented them from further embarrassment.

Tillakaratne Dilshan (106) and Kumar Sangakkara (54) combined for a second wickets partnership of 158 before Mahela Jayawardene (77) and Thilan Samaraweera (37) then joined forces late in the innings for a 116 run partnership to ensure South Africa’s run chase was going to be difficult.

Dale Steyn, who made the early breakthrough to snare Jayasuria was the pick of the bowlers taking 3/47 off nine while fellow opener Wayne Parnell was far too expensive and selectors will be kicking themselves they didn’t opt for warhorse Makayaha Ntini.

Parnell went for 3/79 off 10 overs while the rest of the South African bowlers offered little as Sri Lanka pushed past 300 barrier to post 8/319 off their 50 overs.

Chasing the equal third highest score at Centurion of 320, South Africa failed miserably.

Graeme Smith’s 58 and Jacques Kallis’ 41 were the only scores of note in an innings littered with starts but with no-one to go onto a big innings, they were always going to struggle.

The spin of Ajantha Mendis was crucial and when he snared Smith, Kallis and then child prodigy JP Duminy for a first ball duck, the Proteas were done for.

Lasith Malinga took care of AB de Villiers (24) and Johan Botha (21) while Angelo Matthews made the early breakthrough removing Hashim Amla for 2 then trapping Mark Boucher in front for 26.

The match was officially called off at the 37 over mark with the Duckworth Lewis system handing Sri Lanka a 55 run victory which in all respect could have been much more.