Talk of 'choking' annoys Kirsten

[vvvslaxman]

http://www.iol.co.za/sport/cricket/proteas/talk-of-choking-annoys-kirsten-1.1510044#.UYfve7Xql8E Talk of 'choking' annoys Kirsten Cape Town – Gary Kirsten may have learnt his cricket under the tutelage of Duncan Fletcher, but he is no carbon copy of the coach that took him under his wing since Kirsten’s student days at the University of Cape Town. Instead of the suspicious demeanour of all things media that Fletcher projects behind the shades (also the title of his autobiography), Kirsten almost always sports an inviting smile at press conferences. However, at the announcement of the Proteas’ 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy at Newlands on Thursday, even Kirsten could not help but frown, with the lines around his eyes hardening up, when the inevitable question was posed about how South Africa would handle the extra pressure at yet another major ICC tournament. The Proteas have gone 15 years without success at a multi-team tournament, suffering some catastrophic exits during the intervening years. “That’s the most asked question in South African cricket, and the only way I can answer that is that we have to cross the (winner’s) line,†said Kirsten firmly, before finding that contagious smile again. “It’s something we are aware of and the less you people (the media) talk about it, the less pressure there will be on us to win a trophy. “Everybody asks ‘what’s the plan, how you going to solve the scarring?’ The bottom line is that there is no fancy technique, you must just go out there and get on with it and do it. I believe that the players we have selected have the ability to make a contribution in the most severe of conditions. Everyone of us has not coped with something due to mental fragility, but that is no excuse. We are aware of that responsibility and we will do everything in our power to cross that line,†India’s World Cup winning coach added. Kirsten will, though, embark on this mission without his chief foot soldier Jacques Kallis. Cricket South Africa confirmed earlier reports in The Star that Kallis, 37, will miss the eight-team jamboree in the United Kingdom due to “personal reasons†despite Kirsten being in constant negotiations with the star all-rounder in the leadup to yesterday’s squad announcement. But every dark cloud is accompanied by a rainbow, and the Proteas’ one came in the form of JP Duminy, with the classy left-hander returning to the side after a six-month absence due to a horror Achilles injury suffered on South Africa’s Test tour of Australia last November. “It is big blow (Kallis’ absence) but this team has progressed to a level that we are comfortable with whoever plays,†said Kirsten. “It does affect our combinations because Kallis is two players in one, but if he feels he is not ready for the tournament then we have to respect that,†he added before commenting on Duminy’s return: “We are all excited about where he is (in terms of his rehab). He is a key component of the team and, although we are not putting too much pressure on him to play, he has progressed well.†Duminy on Thursday that he should be ready for South Africa’s two warm-up games. The Proteas face the Netherlands (May 31 in Amsterdam) and Pakistan (June 3 at The Oval in London) before the much-anticipated tournament opener against world champions India at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens on June 6. “I am ecstatic to be back in the green and gold,†Duminy said while modelling South Africa’s new one-day kit. “I have been out for a long time and it has almost made me appreciate again what it means to pull on this shirt. When you on the road as much as we are, it sometimes becomes routine, but it is almost like a new beginning of sorts for me, and I am really hungry to play.†Apart from Kallis and Duminy, the squad closely resembles the team that beat Pakistan 3-2 in the recent home one-day series. There was no place for young Highveld Lions wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, although selection convenor Andrew Hudson said the 20-year-old would be monitored closely in the off-season should the situation arise that he is required as an emergency replacement. The reasoning behind De Kock’s omission is that Kirsten believes the eight specialist batsmen selected could be South Africa’s trumpcard at the Champions Trophy. “We decided to opt for continuity which meant we could go with established players,†Kirsten said. “The experience helps the players to cope with the demands of the game while flair is especially important in a knock-out event. That’s why we’re going with eight batsmen so that we have something different to offer.†PROTEAS SQUAD AB de Villiers (capt, wk), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morné Morkel, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe. – Cape Times

[ravishingravi]

They have already conquered many feats with Kirsten. I think there is more to come.

[saneindian]

Along with England, SA have to be the favorties again. Like always, look very strong and a properly balanced unit even without Kallis.

[Sachin=GOD]

people talk of choking because that what happens to SA in big tournaments. Always. This time (like many other times previously) they are looking a very good, well balanced side which can go on to win the tournament. Lets see if they can actually go on and do it.

[I6MTW]

This time with David Miller in the squad, I think they'll finally not choke.

[vvvslaxman]

http://www.iol.co.za/sport/cricket/proteas/we-need-to-get-monkey-off-our-back-ab-1.1512632#.UYqiNbXql8E We need to get monkey off our back – AB Johannesburg – Proteas captain AB de Villiers believes South Africa can remove their “chokers” tag and secure their first global trophy in 15 years at the Champions Trophy tournament in England and Wales next month. South Africa won the inaugural Champions Trophy – then known as the Knockout Trophy – in 1998, and while they have since reached the semi-finals in three editions of the competition, as well as the last four in three World Cup tournaments, they have failed to secure a title. “There is always extra pressure when it comes to our performances at ICC (International Cricket Council) tournaments,” De Villiers said on Wednesday. “Our performances have not been a true reflection of the talent and skill that we possess, and this year we will be out to change that. “We will always have this monkey on our back until we win the competition, so hopefully this time around we will be able to overcome the pressure.” The Proteas are in Group B alongside world champions India, World Twenty20 title holders West Indies, and Pakistan. “I personally think every opponent in our group is a threat,” De Villiers said. “Our recent 3-2 win over Pakistan only highlighted the threat they can pose in the limited-overs format, and India and West Indies can both be destructive if they arrive on the day. “We are going to have to start strong in our opening match against India at the Cardiff Wales Stadium and hopefully use the momentum for the extra advantage through the group stages.” While he singled out some key players they would need to watch from other teams, including Chris Gayle of the West Indies and India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni, De Villiers was confident his side could challenge for top honours. “I think if we can collectively take the confidence and momentum we gained during our series win over Pakistan, any player in our squad can win the game for us on the day,” the skipper said. “We have a balanced makeup of experience and youth in our squad. I think that will be to our advantage in the competition.” – Sapa

[Junyfan]

In my opinion that is more related to social ,cultural,environmental & mental background,luck factor can also play its part,Lets see law of averages play its part or not.Kallis will be missed,it can be his career defining moment irrespectively.

[vvvslaxman]

In my opinion that is more related to social ' date='cultural,environmental & mental background,luck factor can also play its part,Lets see law of averages play its part or not.Kallis will be missed,it can be his career defining moment irrespectively.[/quote'] Smith is going to be absent too

[Junyfan]

Smith is going to be absent too

oh,ankle injury

[Crookbond]

people talk of choking because that what happens to SA in big tournaments. Always. This time (like many other times previously) they are looking a very good, well balanced side which can go on to win the tournament. Lets see if they can actually go on and do it.

Not always.

[Sachin=GOD]

Not always.

you always have to nit-pick, don't you :winky:

[India-KXIP fan]

That's the good thing about big tournaments, don't have to worry about one of the worlds best side. India might lose Number 1 spot though cause there is no big tournament match winner Yuvraj in the XI.

[Crookbond]

you always have to nit-pick' date=' don't you :winky:[/quote'] Just picking on the generalization. :winky:

[vvvslaxman]

I think it has to wait for some more time

[maniac]

Kirsten himself was part of some famous chokes lol....ALso with India as I said his contribution was overrated and same with South Africa

[Crookbond]

I think SA have a good chance today.

[vvvslaxman]

Well.. Pakistan chokes against South Africa continue..

[Prakat]

It's not a choke if you make a match of it. :idunno:

[FischerTal]

:girl_haha:

[Sachin=GOD]

Not always.

looks like its happening again....