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document.write("USER COMMENTS >");
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The king of chokers
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document.write("Graeme the” King of Freeze” Smith does it again, with a low score and going along well he decides to play not once but twice a premeditated suicidal shot, he is not made of the right stuff, nor does his manager Mickey Arthur. . Ray");
document.write("T20 Semi Final
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document.write("I agree with Greame that they are not chokers. The failure to win are the short sightedness of Smith and Arthur to send Duminy in when AB went. Duminy is excelent in holding an innings together, but he is no pinch hitter. Together with Kallis, they protected their wickets, instead of chasing boundaries. I believe that Morkel, Boucher, Botha or vd Merwe should have followed AB. How ever, this team is one of the best balanced SA sides ever, but they have to be more open minded to the batting order. Change it when the game situation asks for it! . TienieW");
document.write("Duminy was the right man
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document.write("we were 50 odd for 3 when duminy came in round the 8th over after having just lost 3 wickets for very few runs. Suggesting we send in a 'pinch hitter' at that stage is utter utter madness. JamesCT");
document.write("We did'nt choke????
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document.write("Well you did'nt win either...chockers!!! Time for a new Captain.. Mark");
document.write("Uhm, Graeme...
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document.write("That is precisely what you and the team did - choked. Losing by 7 with wickets in hand is criminal. Knowing Pakistan are tight at the end and assuming you can score heavily is arrogant. That was a monumental stuff up. I am sure you guys over analysed the hell out of your strategy, instead of just going out there and playing. That was POOR!. AJ");
document.write("Graeme Smith
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document.write("I agree with everything Graeme Smith has said. The toss made a big difference because batting second has not been easy throughout the tournament. Overall we were beaten by the better team on the day. Keep going Graeme, you are a Legend!. Pete");
document.write("Not chokers, just SWOLLENHEADED Smith
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document.write("We need a captain who is consistently scoring runs not acouple of huge scores and then nothing. His average counts for nothing. Mickey Arthur is a useless coach, he only looks good becuase he happens to have a very talented players at present. One wonders how brilliantly we might fare if we had good coach. Vincent Barnes took WP from Winners to bottom of the log in one season, now he's stuffing up the Proteas.
Lets also see how well the boks do when all the stars have gone after the Lions tour.
GO FIGURE.
Our coaches are not selected on the basis of quality.. Richard");
document.write("New captain
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document.write("I agree, we should drop SMith, he is useless. That Khan boy that played in the last Test should be his replacement. Johan Botha showed again yesterday what a chucker he really is - Peterson should have been in the side instead. Afridi wouldnt have hit him so severely and atleast he can bat as well. Arthur needs to go as well, if we are to be successful in T20, we should get in Shukri Conrad in some capacity, just look at how successful he has been with an underperforming Cobras team! I am slowly losing patience with Albie Morkel as well, his bowling is poor and he doesnt hit a ball as far anymore either. Whatever happend to Rory Kelinveldt and Vernon Philander? They should have been there!. Kevin");
document.write("are you serious
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document.write("some of you guys are seriously off the mark.
proteas didn't choke, Afridi and battting second was the difference.
one loss and everyone is calling for smith's heads. you were all very quiet when we won.
It was just bad luck and we got outplayed. Choking doesn't even come into the equation. ks9");
document.write("Herschelle Gibbs
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document.write("Surely it is time for Gibbs to hang up his bat. He has become a non-performer with the bat,& appears to have adopted a very laid back, casual approach to his batting style. I think that it is time for him to make way for some up & coming talent.. Gavin");
document.write("well done to the lads!
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document.write("in a format of the game that reduces so much to one player having a bit of luck for a few overs, our boys did superbly! setting a world record winning streak, being the only team in the tourname playing consistently good cricket, comfortably making the semi final... our boys did brilliantly!
even when teams threatened to get away from us, we didn't panic. smith made a number of astute fielding placements/bowling changes when that was the case, and more often than not, we had the wicket a few balls later.
so well done to the team! a level-headed analysis shows we're the best team in the world at the moment. please ignore the idiots that call for smith's head or that say \"graeme smith's average counts for nothing\" and that he needs to go score some runs. such contradictions!
pakistan had the rub of the green last night, and their most lethal players fired for a change. the proteas played well but it was just out of our reach.
congrats to the boys AND MICKEY ARTHER on how they have built such a strong and dynamic team that is currently leading international cricket.
Viva Graeme Smith, Viva Mickey Arthur!
And can the usual pessimists put a sock in their gobs - if they can't analyse the game properly, they shouldn't commentate on it!. sean");
document.write("Pity we did'nt win!
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document.write("Come now boys! we were enjoying all the wins in this 20 / world cup , any side can loose in this form of the game - to again loose in the semi is very difficult for me - (as my friends overseas are all talking of the chokers!) But lets support our boys , i think they did an excellent job!. Mark Farrell");
document.write("Some 'fans'
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document.write("Some of the comments on this story just show that the majority of South African cricket 'fans' are utterly utterly clueless. JamesCT");
document.write("Choke
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document.write("Bottom line is we didn't win.... and it happens time and time again, at the semis we choke, end of story. Matthew");
document.write("of course they are chokers
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document.write("get a decent captain with true leadership qualities and also get rid of that mickey mouse manager who always allows players to dictate to him. What gutless sportsman.. trebor");
document.write("Chokers
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document.write("Yet again!!!! Come on guys what the hell. I don't know if I want to watch cricket anymore! It's to heartbreaking! Maybe we should get the rugby guys in to teach them how to hold their nerve!
Not Chokers? Graeme I think you should rethink your statement! Until you prove to us that you guys are not chokers you will remain chokers!!!. Werner");
document.write("In the past
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document.write("Lets not forget what a superb record at World Cups and the like we had before Mickey and Smith came along.... Cricket lover");
document.write("Please explain
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document.write("I agree that when things were going well everybody was quiet. It is only when the loss is such a huge disappointment that the 'hate' mail starts coming to the fore...but please explain why we lost a match with so many wickets in hand...? can't figure it out. Congrats to Pak. Commiserations to SA...here's hoping and trusting for a big win next time!. Babs");
document.write("CHOKERS ?
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document.write("Yip, chokers, big time ....HUGE in fact ! Get rid of Kallies in this form of the game - 65 of 54 balls or something like that - in a semi-final where we knew we had toi ile on the runs - either friggen score at a good rate, or give you bloody wicket up Kallis. What did it help us now that you did stay there till the last few overs, well done, but hey - YOU DID NOT SCORE ! Chokers, yip !. piere");
document.write("THE TRUTH
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document.write("hahaha - Mickey the Mouse is the right name for the manager and Graeme the Gutless for the captain.
The reason he always plays such careless shots at such inappropriate times is because his lttle mind cannot handle the pressure. . Trevor");
document.write("@ Pierre
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document.write("So according to your calculations, Kallis' 65 off 54 balls was batting too slow. If everyone batted at his tempo we wouldve gotten 145, one hit short of victory. I think the tempo he batted at and the way he summed up the situation was absolutely perfect. if only we hadsomeone atthe other end who could do the same. Remember we werent that far off in the end, lost by 7 runs.. JamesCT");
document.write("Who you kidding
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document.write("I know they did not choke but you did you idiot and Mickey Arthur who allow players to do whatever they want to. Ray Jennings was the right man for the coach but because he has an unlikeable personality they ditched him and thats coming from a W.P. supporter and a Jennings hater.
. Brian");
document.write("Not Chokers
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document.write("it really amazes me that some people try to comment on the game they know nothing about. Intruducing Peterson to the starting line up? is this not the chap that Lara hit 27 runs off one over. Know your stats or shup-up!!! Why evertime we lose a game we have the whole brigade of anti-Smith fans out their looking for his scalp. The guy has an amazing test, ODI and not bad 20/20 record. His capataicy record is on par with other SA captains, yet he is always has to prove himself. Yes he does make a few blunders with the media but nevetherless he has done well.
As i said, know your cricket or keep your opions to the bar- counter selectors.
johnny . Johnny");
document.write("Unlucky
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document.write("Hell we have some of the worst fair whether supporters in the world.Thanks goodness none of them are selectors.Calling for Smith and Arthur's head..absolutely ludicrous
It was unlucky...T20 is such a lottery anyway.Look at the recent IPL where the 2 top performing teams in the tournament lost in the semi final and the deli daredevils were beaten by a brilliant Adam Gilchrist on the day.Same with Afridi.
SA's mistake came when they send in Duminy after AB.You can't bat the same type of batsmen together as neither of them could up the scoring rate effectively enough.
Hopefully in the future this will elevate their thinking.Their most dangerous player never got enough time to play himself in,. James");
document.write("Chokers
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document.write("Unlike some people I don't want to get rid of anyone! They are all perfect for the job. Don't ditch Kallis! I think he did a great job. I think the blame on this one (if you want to blame someone) falls on the bowlers. They just didn't do their job. But the again Afridi did bring his A-game and one big a$$ bat.
I still believe they are chokers. And until they (as a unit)proves us wrong, they will remain chokers!
We are like the All Black. Number 1 in the world because we are the best but just can't seem to get past the semis.
It breaks my heart.
THIS IS MY CHALLENGE FOR OUR BELOVED PROTEAS!
WIN THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY LATER THIS YEAR!
PROVE TO US YOU ARE NOT CHOKERS!!. Werner");
document.write("Smith we didnt choke!
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document.write("Call it what you like Graeme - the fact of the matter is that you all CHOKED! when it mattered most. Oh God we wept here in the UK - LIVE - the whole teams demeanour was pathetic. Why on earh did you not bring in the big hitters earlier and change the order around? You as captain need to learn that you need to change the formula around to suit the moment and not just depend on well he comes in at no 1, 2 so he goes in - do you know how we were screaming for you to change the darn formula and bring the right people in - why do yall always bring in Albie under pressure with no overs really to try to slog - he is under pressure with 2 overs to spare grrrrr of course he wont be able to do it. Duminy in before Boucher & VD Merwe in the situation u were in - now that was just plain stupid. The fact of the matter is Pakistan did not win the semi-final South Africa lost the semi final to South Africa - hence You All Chocked Period!! We are reminded of the excellent capaincy Johan Botha had in the 1 days in Australia- we think its time the system is changed in SA and play it out like this: for 5 days - Graeme captain, for 1 days Johan captain, for 20/20 slogfest Johan or someone edgy as captain-what do ya'll think. SA sport Forever & will always love ya'll forever even though ya'll threw it all away!xx. Gail");
document.write("Well done Proteas
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document.write("One stunnign innings by Afridi was the difference. 20/20 is loterry and we done un-believably well to improve the odds in our favour. Pakistan played out their skins! I see people commenting against a pinch hitter, for me we need one decent over (like Afridi got). If Roelof had been sent in before Duminy and made 15 off 6 while the ball was 'new' then gone out, we would of been much better off. Either way, great performance overall!. L_M");
document.write("Chokers
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document.write("Graeme Smith was uncomfortable from his first attempt at a shot and looked every bit the part of a choker. Just like Man U had to beat Barcelona to be the best in Europe, the Proteas needed to beat all the sides to be the best.
In my opinion Johan Botha displayed in Australia why he should be the Captain of limited overs cricket.. Craig");
document.write("Obvious there must be changes
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document.write("of course there must be changes you cannot keep retaining the coach and the captain when they keep on failing in certain competitions, if they are succesful in test cricket than thats a different matter. The players are changed for test cricket, 50 overs cricket and T2O cricket, so why must the coach and captain be retained if they are not suited for that game in their respective capacities. . Bitmu");
document.write("fat boy smif and friends
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document.write("Our cricket boyz are looking a bit on the porkie side???
Me thinks they need to lay off the English pies and mash. . amanda");
document.write("T20
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document.write("I could'nt watch! So disappointing! But the fact is that SA did NOT choke, they lost to a better side on the day. Everyone in the side deserves to be there, although Albie needs a fire lit under him - always looks bored! Stay strong, proteas, you are the best.
. Bev");
document.write("So many ignorant sports fans in SA...
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document.write("I thought we South Africans were more educated in sport than this, but this barrage of abuse hurled at the Proteas suggests otherwise.
This is 20 over cricket. ANYTHING can happen! It only takes one or two players to come off to decide a match. Did England choke when they lost to the Netherlands? Did Oz choke when they bowed out of the tournament early? No! It's the nature of the high-voltage bubblegum cricket we call T20. Imagine if they reduced rugby to 10mins a half - we'd have a LOT more upsets, and a lot more \"chokers\".
Test cricket is where mettle counts most, and we have shown ourselves to have it in buckets this season. In T20 the better side is more likely to win, but there is always the very real chance of an upset - this is what makes it such a commercial success. Anyone who really understands cricket will tell you that, while it's fun to watch, it's no real measure of a cricket side.. Grant");
document.write("Slaan die Bal
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document.write("In theory one can afford to lose a wicket every 2nd over.
The tactics were wrong.Hit from the outset and send big hitters in early.
Duminy and Kallis can always prop the innings up if that fails.
The team looked stifled so yes maybe element of choking.But they gave us great pleasure Down Under.
Enjoy the rest boys.Also nice to see new faces doing well.
I give our team the benefit of the doubt.Well done. OJ");
document.write("Grand Pree
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document.write("He sighed heavily. After being the top driver for the whole season, he couldn't believe he had finished second.
As he pulled into the pits, he gained some comfort from the fact that he still had half a tank of fuel left.
Thank goodness, he thought - imagine if he had driven with his foot flat most of the time - he might
have run out before making the finish line. He imagined how embarrassing it would have been to have not
finished first in that most horrific scenario. The fans would surely have been appalled at him trying to win
in such an unbecoming manner.
He thought again, thank goodness there was fuel left, even if he couldn't keep it for the next race.. villageidiot");
document.write("Graeme Smith
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document.write("Maybe if biff lost some weight and got into decent shape he could field properly and save some runs??. Ian");
document.write("Slaan die bal
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document.write("My sentiments exactly, that is what Smith SHOULD have done it would have worked.. June");
document.write("POOR MORKEL
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document.write("Just like in the days of Klusner. Expect him to win the game coming in with 17 balls left. What percentage does he face. I believe this guy like Afrdi of Pakistan can swing the game, but we have a Coach and Captain that is not adventurous for 20/20. Give Morkel an oppertunity to face 40/50 balls then you will see a different Protea team.. BOERE SEUN");
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