T20 WC 2016 vs Expectations in T20 WC 2020 : "SOUTH AFRICA"

When you look down to any bilateral series, South Africa is the team to beat and is one of the competitive team of the game. But when it comes to ICC tournaments, they always disappoints their fans. And that's why they are labelled as "Chokers". Whether it was the famous ICC World Cup 1999 and 2007 Semi Final,  inaugural ICC T20 World Cup 2007 match where they faced first loss vs India and were kicked out of the tournament, ICC World Cup 2011 Quaterfinal loss, ICC T20 World Cup 2014 and ICC World Cup 2015 Semi Final loss and many more, they always disappointed their fans. Its a newly packed players for the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 but before that lets have a look at their ICC T20 World Cup 2016 journey.

Journey of T20 World Cup 2016

It was another ICC tournament. And South Africa, like always, had one of the best squad which includes the likes of  Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, The best AB de Villiers, Faf Du Plessis, JP Duminy and David Miller. In the bowling department they had Dale Steyn, K Rabada, Imran Tahir, T20 specialist Chris Morris. So, on paper one can easily assumed that this team can lift the trophy. Moreover the form which they were before the tournament was fabulous. They won T20 series vs India in India, then won another T20 series vs England before loosing one to Australia. But, yes they had their chances in ICC T20 World Cup 2016. Lets see how long they survived in the tournament.

1st match vs England at Wankhede

England took victory from the jaws of South Africa at the batting track of Wankhede.
Image Source - Krishna Chopra

England won all important toss at Wankhede and elected to field first. Their decision backfired them badly as South African openers Hashim Amla 58(31) and Q De Kock 52(24) made the full use of batting powerplay and scored 83/0 in the powerplay. With the likes of AB de Villiers, JP Dumniy and David Miller yet to bat, England knew they need to play out to their skin to have some hope to win this match. Both openers along with AB de Villiers 16(8) fall inside 4 overs but it didn't effected their run rate. South Africa were 133/3 in 12 overs. England bowlers applied some brake on the run rate. Du Plessis struggled for his run a ball 17. But late fireworks from JP Duminy 54*(28) and David Miller 28*(12) helped South Africa to post 229/4 in 20 overs.

England needed something special here. A loss could have daunted their journey. But their batters had some other plans. Their openers scored 50 runs in just 2.5 balls, all thanks to Jason Roy who scored 43 runs off 16 balls. Jason Roy, Alex Hales 17(7) and Ben Stokes 15(9) lost their wickets inside 6 overs. But the chase was well set for England as they scored 89 runs in that 6 overs. Dependent Joe Root held up one end. Root looked well set for something special. He rotated the strike well and played some shots in between. On the other end, other batter came, played some shots and in the process lost their wickets. But with the help Root who scored sensational and memorable 83 runs off just 44 balls, England won the match with 2 balls spare. Joe Root adjusted Man of the Match. This defeat dent the moral of South Africa and they knew they have to work out the reason of this defeat and look back forward.

2nd match vs Afghanistan at Wankhede

Chris Morris celebrates after got the better of Afghanistan opener Md Shahzad, who scored 44 runs off just 19 balls.
Image SOurce - Google | Image by - PTI

After the shocking defeat vs England in their opening match, South Africa faced Afghanistan at the same Wankhede ground. South Africa won the toss and elected to bat. They lost Hashim Amla 5(5) in the 3rd over but Q de Kock 45(31) and skipper Du Plessis 41(27) scored freely in the powerplay and helped South Africa to score 66 runs in 6 overs with loss of 1 wicket. Stage is all set to explore but they lost their wicket one after another. South Africa down to 98/3 in 12 overs. When Afghanistan bowlers was about to dominate South African batsman, they were smashed by AB de Villiers. He took on their best bowler Rashin Khan and scored 29 runs in 1 over. This is the joint 2nd highest number of runs scored in a T20 World Cup match. AB de Villiers scored his half century and scored 64 runs off 29 balls before getting out in 18th over. Two left handers, JP Duminy 29*(20) and David Miller 19(8) helped South Africa crossed 200 marks for the second time in as many matches. South Africa finished with 209/5 in 20 overs.

Afghanistan opening batsman Mohammad Shahzad gave Afghanistan a flying start and smashed South African bowlers all around in Wankhede. That was the display of some fearless batting from this attacking batsman. He scored quickfire 44 runs off just 19 balls. Rest of the bastman scored a lot of 20's but none of them converted it into a match winning inning. As a result, South Africa won the match comfortably by 37 runs. Chris Morris adjusted the Man of the Match for his 4-0-27-4. 

3rd match vs West Indies at Nagpur

Miscommunication between South Africa opening batsman Hashin Amla (in picture) and Q de Kock costs the early wicket of Hashim Amla. South Africa never recovered from there.
Image Source - Google | Image by - Danielle Joynson

West Indies won the toss and they opted to field. South Africa off to a horror start, poor judgment and miscommunication between Q de Kock and Hashim Amla cost them the wicket of Hashim Amla. Problems for South Africa increased when reliable F du Plessis( 9) and  Rossouw (0) followed Amla and left South Africa at 20/3 in 3 overs. AB de Villiers joied de Kock but Bravo brought his Champion dance after he bowls dangerous De Villiers (10) out by the slower one. David Miller(1) fall in the next over to C Gayle. Q de Kock (47) along with lower order batsman, D Wiese (28) and C Morris (16) stretched South Africa total to 122/8. Rabada gave South Africa early hope by getting C Gayle by unplayable delivery. Fletcher (11) followed Gayle. M Samuels joined J Charles and played sensible cricket. When it looked like they are taking the match away from South Africa, David Wiese struck back to get rid of Charles (32). DJ Bravo followed him in the next over. West Indies were 87/4 at the end of 14 over. They needed 36 runs of 36 balls to book a place in the semis. Twist came in the 17th over when Imran Tahir got rid of Andre Russell and skipper Darren Sammy of consecutive balls to give South Africa a lifeline to stay in the tournament.Marlon Samuel got out in the 19th over. K Rabada to defend 9 runs off last over but Carlos Brathwaite slammed a six off the 2nd ball and almost sealed the game there only. West Indies won the match comfortably with 2 balls to spare and booked their place in the semi final. On the other hand, South Africa was eventually out of the tournament. Their batting looked too strong in first two matches but they collapsed in a must win game. Same old story for South Africa in the ICC tournaments.

4th Match vs Sri Lanka at Kotla,Delhi

AB de Villiers (left) and Hashim Amla with the Sri Lankan players after the match. Both team were out of the tournament before the start of play.
Image Source - Google | Image by - zeenews

Both, South Africa and Sri Lanka played this match just for their pride and to go back home with happy faces. South Africa won the toss and elected to field first. Sri Lankan openers Veteran TM Dilshan and skipper Dinesh Chandimal gave them a good start as they scored 45 runs in 4.4 overs. Aaron Phangiso first got Dinesh Chandimal 21(20) and Lahiru Thirimanne off consecutive balls and brought South Africa back into the match. Sri Lanka didn't recover from this blow. Dilshan 36(40) and T Siriwardana 15(10) put a decent partnership of 30 runs. Miscommunication costs Siriwardana's wicket. Sri Lanka falls like a nine pins after that. Only 4 batsman managed to reach double digit and they bundled out for 120. South Africa to chase a modest target but they lost Q de Kock (9) in the 2nd over. Skipper Faf du Plessis joined Hashim Amla and steadied South Africa inning. Suranga Lakmal removed du Plessis 31(36) in the 13th over when the score was 75. Hashim Amla socred a half century. AB de Villiers played his natural game and he looked to finish the game as early as process. South Africa managed to chased the target in the 18th over and South Africa won by 8 wickets and ended their ICC T20 World Cup 2016 campaign on a winning note.  Hashim Amla scored unbeaten 56 runs and AB de Villiers scored 20*(12). Aaron Phangiso awarded Man of the Match for his (2/26).

Expectations in T20 World Cup 2020

Image Source - Google | Image by - cricket.com.au

Since the retirement of their best batsman AB de Villiers, nothing going South Africa way. Hashim Amla is retired after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 where South Africa performed poorly winning just 3 matches out of 9. They are still searching for their best combination. Not only players were changed, they now have their new Captain Quinton de Kock, new Coach Mark Boucher and new Director Graeme Smith. Oh, another important question which is the most debatable issue, its the come back of the great batsman AB de Villiers. Coach Mark Boucher gave hints of his come back but nothing is from de Villiers. Time will tell about this. Lets keep de Villiers aside and look at their current bunch of players. At the top, they have their skipper Quinton de Kock along with Temba Bavuma or Reeza Hendricks. Middle order will have Faf du Plessis, R Van Der Dussen, H Klaasen, JP Duminy and David Miller. They have bunch of all rounders in the form of Andile Phehlukwayo, D Pretorius and Chris Morris. They too have good bowlers leaded by Veteran Dale Setyn, K Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, spinner Tabraiz Shamsi. On the paper, these player can causes upset any day. And if they somehow get Ab de Villiers back then you might see the old spark in this South Africa team. Time will tell. ICC T20 World Cup 2020 is not far behind.

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