Cricket South Africa: CSA to review T20 World Cup debacle as certain players to fight for future
Cricket South Africa (CSA) will go for a major overhaul as they look to review their recent debacle in the T20 World Cup. The South African team exited the competition in the Super 12 stage where they lost to the Netherlands on the final day while a draw against Zimbabwe saw them drop points which ultimately cost them a place in the semifinals as they finished third.
Living up to their 'perennial chokers' tag, South Africa lost to the Netherlands in their concluding Super 12 match to crash out of the T20 World Cup.
"It is important that we review what has happened. We are in the process of putting a panel together to ensure the review is very clinical," Nkwe was quoted as saying after the team's arrival from Australia. But the focus is hitting the reset button and not dwelling on the past. It's important that we close a chapter and look at what lies ahead,” the official said.
South Africa are yet to guarantee a spot in the ODI World Cup next year and will look to book their place with some important series to come in the coming days.
"The CSA official further said the main focus going forward would be to provide the best possible support to win an elusive World Cup in the ODI format next year in India. There will be a clear strategy going forward. How do we prepare better for the upcoming World Cups.
"There's a lot of work behind the scenes and what we are all working towards is getting our national teams to reach No.1 and win World Cups. Always a pre-tournament favourite, the Proteas have never managed to make the final in either ODI or T20 format of the World Cup.
In ODI format, they have lost at semifinal stages in 1992, 1999, 2007 and 2015. They were also knocked out twice in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup in 2009 and 2014. Nkwe however stood by his side and said: "We will always take full accountability.
"Whether the team loses or wins, we are always going to be supporting the team and asking ourselves questions about what more we can do.
"One thing I have been proud of this team over the last couple of years is that they've been able to go on the park and compete and try and win games.
"They've been able to close off all the noise and whatever is happening off the field. Somehow we found a way to get to a point where we remain competitive. I believe the team has come through that very well," he added
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, who is yet to make up his mind on quitting the leadership role, said it would take time for players to get over from the disappointment.
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