The dressing-room mood was as dark and sombre as a funeral scene. Hansie Cronje’s South Africa had just snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. The semi-final between Australia and South Africa in the 1999 World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston was actually a tie. But the Aussies qualified for the final after finishing higher on the Super Six table. Chasing 214 for victory, the Proteas were 175/5 at one stage. As is their wont, they choked. That was the closest South Africa came to reaching the final of a world championship.
Cronje (God bless his soul) looked devastated. Some of his teammates were inconsolable. Someone had to lend a comforting arm to them. Dr Ali Bacher, then CEO of the United Cricket Board of South Africa, did that. “Look up, it's not the end of the world,” Dr Bacher’s team talk was brief. “There's always a tomorrow. The sun will rise again.”
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The World Cup/Championship sun is yet to rise on South African cricket. In a season of underdogs, will they have a new dawn?
It started with Newcastle United ending their 70-year domestic trophy drought, beating Liverpool in the League Cup final. Then, Crystal Palace claimed their first major trophy in 120 years — a stunning win against Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Tottenham Hotspur weren't spursy against Manchester United in the Europa League final, securing their first major silverware in 17 years. Closer to home, Royal Challengers Bengaluru ended their 18 years of wait and eventually won the IPL. Australia are going into the World Test Championship (WTC) final, from June 11 at Lord's, as overwhelming favourites. Can South Africa pull off an upset?
The Proteas playing the WTC final without winning a series against India, England or Australia in the current cycle remains a matter of derision at certain quarters. But Temba Bavuma’s side is not at fault that they are there. It's down to the Championship’s structure, which needs a revamp. But that's for the future. For the present, South Africa have a shot at history.
Test cricket is low down in the pecking order in South Africa. They usually play two-Test series. The Proteas winning the WTC might resuscitate the red-ball format in the country. Mark Boucher, the former South Africa head coach, said as much. “A lot of people have criticised South Africa, which is not really fair,” Boucher recently told ESPNcricinfo. “You play what's in front of you and with all due respect, the sides we have played against, we probably should have beaten and we have done that. Everyone is very excited about it now as the opportunity arises… If we win it, I think that could be the turnaround for Test cricket in our country.”
South Africa winning the WTC final would be a great underdog story.
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