World Cup S/F 1, NZ vs SA, March 24

[Dr Cricket]

I feel gutted for the SA players they really deserve a World cup win or final.
They players look heartbroken.

[rich1uk]

A lot of FL teams are going to lose key players after that game.

bad result for me as morkel was the guy I needed to make the difference for me

He certainly did his best for you in this game.

hes taken wickets consistently without having the really big game

[Aidan11]

SA choke again.

[dan08]

Wouldn't call it a choke this time but definitely a few 'what if' moments.

[hopeforthebest]

SA choke again.

If only England could CHOKE in a semi-final in such a fashion.

[sussexpob]

Wouldn't call it a choke this time but definitely a few 'what if' moments.

Missed more than a few run outs, dropped a catch with no call right at the end which should/would have won them it, had Elliot out his ground but knee'd the bails off instead of the keeper taking it cleanly when he had hardly scored anything.......

I would say that these were moments that they didn't step up when pressure was exerted, and all of them could have won South Africa the match.

They didn't take their chances and were ruthlessly punished for it. Its a bit of a choke for me

[dan08]

Great photo this:

[Gingerfinch]

Great photo this:

Can't beat the passion and unpredictability of sport.

[GarlicJam]

I feel gutted for the SA players they really deserve a World cup win or final.
They players look heartbroken.

Didn't they just.

Although I don't know about your first sentence. If they did, they would have one.

They did very well, they fought very hard, but ultimately they let go one too many a chance that they created.

[GarlicJam]

SA choke again.

Nah, not a choke.

Never once did they have the game in their keeping - in fact rarely during the NZ innings were they looking the likely team (maybe about 5 overs to go to 2 overs to go). A choke is when you look like winning, but bottle it.

[sussexpob]

SA choke again.

Nah, not a choke.

Never once did they have the game in their keeping - in fact rarely during the NZ innings were they looking the likely team (maybe about 5 overs to go to 2 overs to go). A choke is when you look like winning, but bottle it.

A choke is when you are too nervous or tense to perform to usual levels, and as I highlighted above, they missed some pretty easy chances for wickets with mistakes in the field

[Gingerfinch]

SA choke again.

Nah, not a choke.

Never once did they have the game in their keeping - in fact rarely during the NZ innings were they looking the likely team (maybe about 5 overs to go to 2 overs to go). A choke is when you look like winning, but bottle it.

Choke is to easy to say. Credit to the kiwi's who were always in it, during the chase.

[GarlicJam]

SA choke again.

Nah, not a choke.

Never once did they have the game in their keeping - in fact rarely during the NZ innings were they looking the likely team (maybe about 5 overs to go to 2 overs to go). A choke is when you look like winning, but bottle it.

A choke is when you are too nervous or tense to perform to usual levels, and as I highlighted above, they missed some pretty easy chances for wickets with mistakes in the field

Nah, that's 'rattled' - a choke is a step (or two) further along the emotional scale.

So sayeth GarlicJam, eminent sports psychologist.

[sussexpob]

SA choke again.

Nah, not a choke.

Never once did they have the game in their keeping - in fact rarely during the NZ innings were they looking the likely team (maybe about 5 overs to go to 2 overs to go). A choke is when you look like winning, but bottle it.

Choke is to easy to say. Credit to the kiwi's who were always in it, during the chase.

If Elliot had been stumped not long after they lost Taylor, then at (if memory serves) 120 ish for 5 having to score at over 7 an over with over 20 overs left, would they had done it?

I had South Africa favourites until Elliot and Anderson had passed 50

[Gingerfinch]

SA choke again.

Nah, not a choke.

Never once did they have the game in their keeping - in fact rarely during the NZ innings were they looking the likely team (maybe about 5 overs to go to 2 overs to go). A choke is when you look like winning, but bottle it.

Choke is to easy to say. Credit to the kiwi's who were always in it, during the chase.

If Elliot had been stumped not long after they lost Taylor, then at (if memory serves) 120 ish for 5 having to score at over 7 an over with over 20 overs left, would they had done it?

I had South Africa favourites until Elliot and Anderson had passed 50

I wasn't watching but it seemed like NZ were in control, until near the end. Steyn and Morkel SHOULD have maybe done better with the final two overs?