As disappointing as the Proteas' showing at the ICC Champions Trophy was, it is difficult to understand exactly what new information Mickey Arthur can hope to present to the CSA board at the end of the month, says iafrica.com's Rob Peters.

Truthfully, I feel desperately sorry for Arthur, who has done everything possible to ensure that his team was ready to finally break their trophy drought in ICC tournaments. For those calling for his head, claiming he adds nothing to the team strategy, clearly they have short memories. Series wins in Australia and England are proof that Arthur knows what he is doing.

In the same CSA statement revealing Arthur's imminent meeting with his employers, it was pointed out that the "best systems available have been put in place".

They even went as far as listing those systems:

  • A broad base of outstanding players which is the envy of the cricketing world
  • Variety and balance in key playing positions
  • Full-time support specialists in all relevant fields
  • An efficient high performance programme
  • Loyal and committed sponsors
  • A large and enthusiastic supporters' base

    Now, I don't really think a large and enthusiastic supporters' base is thanks to CSA, but that's not really the point, is it? If the best systems have already been put in place, what exactly do CSA hope to learn from Arthur at the end of the month? What the hell is he supposed to explain?

    I know that people want answers, but really, let's be realistic. The nature of knock-out tournaments ? and not just in cricket ? is that the big teams are vulnerable to upsets. Just ask the All Blacks? they will testify to that. Sometimes it is as simple as a dropped catch, a poor spell of bowling or a miscued shot. More often than not it comes down to a single blistering knock from the opposition.

    A possible reason for the Proteas being dumped out was a lack or preparation, but that comes down to the CSA, not Arthur, who seems to be carrying the can for the moment. Another gripe has been the Centurion pitch, which did not suit the Proteas? well, that comes down to a battle of egos within administration and has not been mentioned in the post-tournament dust-up.

    So why do the Proteas keep failing in ICC tournaments? Personally, I don't think it has anything to do with personnel ? save a few veteran players who should surely be on the way out after consistent failures in crunch matches ? and it certainly does not have anything to do with choking because as many experts have pointed out, choking is when you have a chance to win and you stuff it up. The Proteas never had a chance to win this tournament.

    But here's a thought. The next time an ICC event rolls around, which thanks to a congested schedule is every year, how about we don't install the Proteas as favourites, bang on about past failures and make constant reference to choking? Maybe, just maybe, if we stop reminding the team of those that failed before them, we will see them triumph.

    It is also worth gagging members of the team who continue to set themselves up for a fall with big statements about how "nobody can match us". Do the job, then by all means boast about it... if you must.

    In the end, however, I find it ridiculous that less than two weeks into the international season, CSA is already asking for a review of what went wrong?

  • Is a review of the Proteas' failure even necessary? Leave all your comments below!