The Cricket World Cup final takes place on Sunday between India and Australia. Unfortunately for the Proteas, instead of being in the title decider, they have returned to South Africa after suffering an agonising semi-final loss to Australia.
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Perhaps somewhat unexpectedly, very few fans arrived to welcome back the team despite them having reached the final four.
The scenes at OR Tambo International airport of course contrasted in particular to the scenes that welcomed the Rugby World Cup winning Springboks upon their return from France when thousands turned up to celebrate their homecoming.
QUESTION | How much is the prize money for the 2023 Cricket World Cup?
You can see the quiet Proteas return below:
QUESTION | How much is the prize money for the 2023 Cricket World Cup?
ALL TOO FAMILIAR TALE OF WOE
With the South African cricket side having again fell short during the business end of a big tournament, the question has been asked: did they choke – again – when it mattered most?
“I guess you need to define what a choke is,” coach Rob Walter commented. “For me, a choke is losing a game that you’re in a position to win,.
“In this instance, we were behind the eight ball right from the word go, and we actually fought our way back into contention and put up a score that gave us a chance.
“The Australians, in turn, got off to a flyer and we fought and we put ourselves back into the game. Of course, we were 30 runs or 40 runs short, but still having them seven down and taking into account a couple of close calls like catches bouncing just short, a little inside edge that could have been taken, you know, that suggests to me there were no signs remotely close to a choke.
“It’s a serious contest between two good teams, number-two and number-three in the tournament.”
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