Paddy Upton believes that the “chokers” tag for South Africa is a “little bit too exaggerated and it’s also unfair.”
Since South Africa’s return in international cricket in 1991, they have grown up as one of the strongest cricket teams. However, they mostly failed to perform up to their standard in the big matches of international tournaments.
While they have won only one ICC Champions Trophy (1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy), they have never reached in the finals of any other ICC tournaments. In the Cricket World Cup history, South Africa has played four semi-finals (1992, 1999, 2007 and 2015) but they have always failed to go further. Moreover, they have also played two ICC World T20 semi-finals (2009 and 2014), but they have never qualified for the finals.
South Africa has faced some tough luck in their big matches, including 1992 and 1999 Cricket World Cup semi-finals, but these results can’t rule out their performance failure in the big occasions.
They just need to focus on their game and the job at their hands – Paddy Upton
Former South African Performance Director Paddy Upton has realised that South Africa could play better cricket in those big occasions. However, he still believes that the “chokers” tag is a little bit too exaggerated and also unfair.
According to IANS, Upton claimed, “In every big tournament like the World Cup, only one team wins and seven or eight big teams end on the losing side. I think the ‘chokers’ label for South Africa is a little bit too exaggerated and it’s also unfair.
“But I do realise that South Africa have struggled and could have performed better. They will, in time, win one of these big trophies. But for the time being, they need to embrace and not run away from the ‘chokers’ label and also not be weighed down by it. They just need to focus on their game and the job at their hands.”
2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is a new adventure for us – Ottis Gibson
Recently, the South African head coach Ottis Gibson has claimed that they are not thinking about the “chokers” tag. The former West Indies cricketer has added that the upcoming Cricket World Cup will be a new adventure for them.
Ottis Gibson recently claimed, “We have decided that we are not going to speak about it. One team has to win and one team has to lose, and then it comes down to how you guys (the media) write about the loss. What’s in the past is gone. We’re not taking the past with us to this World Cup. It’s a new adventure for us.”
This format allows top teams with a better chance to make it to the semifinals – Paddy Upton
The European nations England and Wales are ready to host the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. This 12th edition of the Cricket World Cup will run from 30th May to 14th July. A total of top ten teams will fight for this prestigious trophy.
Talking about the possible semi-finalists in the upcoming Cricket World Cup, Upton revealed his three favourite names at first. He confidently believes that India, Australia and England will qualify for the semi-finals. Talking about the fourth favourite team to advance to the semi-finals, Upton has chosen South Africa or New Zealand. However, he also believes that the two-time Cricket World Cup champions Windies can surprise everyone.
Upton further added that all the semi-finalists would have an equal opportunity to lift the upcoming Cricket World Cup trophy. He believes that the number of in-form players will be crucial in that period.
Upton said, “This format allows top teams with a better chance to make it to the semifinals. I see India, Australia and England making it to the semis and South Africa and New Zealand fighting it out for the fourth spot. West Indies on their day can surprise any team. So, it will be a wild card entry for the fourth semi-final spot among three teams.
“Each of those four top teams will be able to lift the trophy and it will go down to which team has the most number of in-form players.”
South Africa will play the opening match of the upcoming Cricket World Cup. On 30th May, the host side England will play against South Africa at The Oval (London) in the opening match of the tournament.