Traditionally the South African cricket season — for the Proteas — does not start in September.

In fact, the only time we have ever played ODIs in South Africa in September was in the 2006/07 season when a three-match series against Zimbabwe was scheduled to serve as a warm-up for the India series (against a severely undercooked Indian team!) that followed.

Why was such a series not scheduled again? I'm sure the Zimbabwean team would have been eager to play some more international cricket against a top side. Or, what about arranging a mini-tournament between the first-choice Proteas and an SA 'A' selection?

Aside from obvious match practice against some very hungry opponents, fixtures of that nature would also allow the national selectors to have a closer look at their fringe players.

Another factor which can not be discounted is the dispute Cricket South Africa had with the Gauteng Cricket Board at the time the venues were allocated and the subsequent scheduling of all Proteas matches at SuperSport Park — instead of the Wanderers.

It should arguably not make that much of a difference — the Titans-heavy Proteas team should know the conditions in Centurion better than the other teams — but the Wanderers is by far the Proteas' preferred ground, as illustrated by Arthur's comments.

Speaking after his team was eliminated from the Champions Trophy, he said: "The wicket in Centurion was tailor-made for the sub-continent, and we've seen what happened to Sri Lanka at the Wanderers, with balls that have bounced above stump height.

"If I could have picked, I would have preferred to play them at the Wanderers, but it was not to be."

An obvious weakness at home?

This latest failure in a high-profile ICC tournament almost gives one the impression that the Proteas are a weak team playing in front of their own fans, as the losses in the 2003 World Cup, the 2007 World T20 and now the 2009 Champions Trophy seem to attest.

The fact of the matter is, coming to South Africa and beating the Proteas in an ODI series is the hardest thing to do on the international calendar.

Since SA's readmission to international cricket in the early 90s, only Australia have come here and beaten the Proteas in an ODI series.

Since Mickey Arthur took over the reins in 2004, they have not lost an ODI series at home.

In fact, only Australia — coming here as multiple world champions — have been able to win more than one match in a series against the Proteas.

Every Test playing nation has come here and been thoroughly beaten.

So what now for the Proteas? Fortunately, a chance for redemption is not too far in the future with England — welcome back Strauss and co. — playing their first ODI on 20 November at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

  • What do you think? Where did it go wrong for the Proteas? Are they destined to be the ultimate chokers, or was this simply a case of poor preparation and bad luck?