We were outclassed, admit chastened South Africa
CRICKET: South Africa defended their aggressive batting
tactics and denied they had panicked after being crushed by Australia by
seven wickets in their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath’s triple strikes, including two
wickets off successive balls, had half the batsmen back in the pavilion
within the first 10 overs before South Africa were routed for their
lowest World Cup total of 149.
The world champions eased to 153 for three in the 32nd over, setting
up a final against 1996 champions Sri Lanka in Barbados on Saturday. “I
don’t think we played reckless shots and threw wickets away,” coach
Mickey Arthur told a news conference. “We needed to disrupt Australia’s
momentum somehow and get on top and needed to get on top quick.”
Captain Graeme Smith added: “We pride ourselves on these big days but
we didn’t play well.
“I definitely don’t think we choked,” he added. “We just weren’t good
enough. We were outplayed and you have got to give credit (to
Australia). “The top order just got out to good bowling, maybe one or
two loose shots.”
Smith himself was guilty of throwing his wicket away when the
left-handed opener was bowled attempting a wild shot against paceman
Nathan Bracken in the third over.
South Africa, desperate to reach a maiden World Cup final, never
really recovered after they were reduced to 27 for five in the 10th over
with fast bowler Shaun Tait complementing McGrath to finish with four
wickets.
Jacques Kallis, usually the innings anchor, was also bowled trying a
big shot against McGrath, who then had Ashwell Prince caught behind for
a second-ball duck chasing a wide delivery.
“Our top order has played quite positive throughout the tournament,”
Smith said. “The ball did swing a bit up front which they used to their
advantage.
“Once we became three down it became really difficult to wrest the
initiative back.”
South Africa have now been knocked out in the semi-final in three of
the last five editions.
CASTRIES, St Lucia, Thursday, Reuter |
