ICC World Cup 2019 | People will keep calling South Africa chokers until they win an ICC event, says Keppler Wessels
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Former South Africa captain Kepler Wessels has said that the only way South Africa can get rid of the 'chokers' tag is by winning a major ICC event like the World Cup. South Africa have made it to the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament on four occasions, but fizzled out under the pump.
South Africa are widely reckoned as āchokersā for their inability to deliver under crunch situations despite having a fordable side. They have made it to the semi-finals on four occasions ā 1992, 1999, 2007 and 2015 but choked at a crucial juncture to be knocked out of the World Cup.Ā
Kepler Wessels stated that South Africa need to win a major ICC event to get the monkey off the back and destroy the chokers tag. South Africa are not tagged as favourites going into the World Cup, which Wessels feel could work for them this time.Ā Ā
"People will keep calling them chokers until they win an ICC event and rightly so. They were the best team in 1999, still they could not win it. This time, they are not the favourites and that could be a good thing. Not many are expecting them to win so they can slip under the radar and make the semifinals and hopefully things fall in place from there on," Wessels said, reported PTI.Ā
AB de Villiers called it a day from international cricket last year and his absence will certainly hurt South Africa in such a mega event. On the other hand, India, Australia, and England have all the bases covered and can go all the way in the World Cup. Wessels also picked India, Australia and England as the strong contenders for the title.Ā
"AB is a massive factor in any team. Now South Africa will have to rely on Hashim Amla and others to do the job. India are a great one-day team and they will be tough to beat alongside England and Australia. England will be a threat but they will be under pressure as hosts.
