"AB de Villiers as captain is not working" : Kepler Wessels

[TahirFan]

AB as captain not working – Wessels


Kepler Wessels says AB de Villiers ‘can’t be captain’ of the Proteas ODI team.

The No 1-ranked Proteas were knocked out of the Champions Trophy on Sunday after suffering a heavy eight-wicket defeat to India. This followed a surprise loss to No 8-ranked Pakistan.

Wessels, in his post-match analysis on SuperSport, said De Villiers should not retain the ODI captaincy.

‘The current situation with AB de Villiers playing certain matches, not playing other matches; the fact of the matter is it’s not working,’ said Wessels.

‘If he’s going to go down that road where he doesn’t want to play some games, he wants to play other games, he’s coming in and out of the squad the whole time, then he can’t be captain. It’s simple as that.’


Wessels criticised the tactics used by the Proteas skipper at the tournament, and on Sunday in particular.

‘It’s been very confusing,’ he said. ‘Imran Tahir is South Africa’s best bowler; South Africa got a modest total, Imran Tahir doesn’t come on to bowl.

‘Then he suddenly comes on belatedly, bowls two overs, goes out of the attack again, comes back in and takes a wicket; inexplicable.

‘The whole captaincy has to be looked at; AB de Villiers’ whole situation has to be looked at.’

The former SA captain also questioned the Proteas’ preparation for major tournaments.

‘We place a lot of emphasis on the series which happen between these events. The rest of the world don’t really do that. They experiment with teams, they rest players.

‘We win, we do well, then we come to these events and those countries seriously want to win them and they put their best team on the park.

‘I think what happens is that we think we better than we really are. We come to these events, we get shown up and then we are surprised. I think that’s something we also have to be honest about.

‘We can’t go through theses events unsuccessfully like we have and still come around and say “we’ve got what it takes; we are the best; we are better than everyone else”.

‘If it was that way, we would be winning something.’

Source: http://www.sacricketmag.com/ab-de-villiers-captain-not-working-wessels/

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Entirely valid and deserved criticism.

 

[Rafay Shafiq]

He is right.

 

[bones]

Can't really argue with many of the points he's made, but my major concern with AB De Villiers is, why is he playing ODI and T20s at all? They are meaningless and crap forms of the game, AB De Villiers needs to cement his place in the all time greats debate by racking up more test runs.

 

[Buffet]

Ab should be far away from captaincy... Not fit to do that job.

 

[Savak]

The guy looks disinterested in Cricket. I wonder if he hadn't been offered the captaincy, he would have retired from some formats by now.

 

[Syed1]

That was Misbah level captaincy. Tahir came onto bowl in the 16th over when both bats were set and he was given a completely spread field with zero catching fielders.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Hardly lambasting.

I'd be interested if he spoke about how ABD puts mental shackles on his team, how his captaincy leaves much to be desired and how his prima donna attitude is messing up with rest of his team's commitment.

 

[cricketfanfirst]

AB as captain not working – Wessels


Kepler Wessels says AB de Villiers ‘can’t be captain’ of the Proteas ODI team.

The No 1-ranked Proteas were knocked out of the Champions Trophy on Sunday after suffering a heavy eight-wicket defeat to India. This followed a surprise loss to No 8-ranked Pakistan.

Wessels, in his post-match analysis on SuperSport, said De Villiers should not retain the ODI captaincy.

‘The current situation with AB de Villiers playing certain matches, not playing other matches; the fact of the matter is it’s not working,’ said Wessels.

‘If he’s going to go down that road where he doesn’t want to play some games, he wants to play other games, he’s coming in and out of the squad the whole time, then he can’t be captain. It’s simple as that.’


Wessels criticised the tactics used by the Proteas skipper at the tournament, and on Sunday in particular.

‘It’s been very confusing,’ he said. ‘Imran Tahir is South Africa’s best bowler; South Africa got a modest total, Imran Tahir doesn’t come on to bowl.

‘Then he suddenly comes on belatedly, bowls two overs, goes out of the attack again, comes back in and takes a wicket; inexplicable.

‘The whole captaincy has to be looked at; AB de Villiers’ whole situation has to be looked at.’

The former SA captain also questioned the Proteas’ preparation for major tournaments.

‘We place a lot of emphasis on the series which happen between these events. The rest of the world don’t really do that. They experiment with teams, they rest players.

‘We win, we do well, then we come to these events and those countries seriously want to win them and they put their best team on the park.

‘I think what happens is that we think we better than we really are. We come to these events, we get shown up and then we are surprised. I think that’s something we also have to be honest about.

‘We can’t go through theses events unsuccessfully like we have and still come around and say “we’ve got what it takes; we are the best; we are better than everyone else”.

‘If it was that way, we would be winning something.’

Some very fine observations and as someone who is closely tied to SA cricket, he must know what he is talking about...

 

[Last Monetarist]

He's spot on and it needs someone of his stature to shout about the whole issue. I was really surprised how notable South Africans were reluctant to give stick to De Villiers for his whole selective tour availability stance. South Africans have traditionally been fairly trenchant with their views and don't care to mince their words. It's heartening that Wessels is calling De Villiers out on this shameful policy. The honourable thing would be for De Villiers to resign the ODI captaincy and retire fully from test cricket.

 

[jadaja]

So Faf running out AB is also AB's fault. Tahir was never going to dominate Indian batsmen nor SA was winning defending 192.

Faf is the main culprit here and also in 2011 QFs and today the way ran out two players shows how anxious he become when playing crunch games.

Faf batting at no3 is a joke he does not belong there.What are Dumny,Parnell doing in this tea, is it also AB's fault. Amla keeps disappearing in ICC tournaments is it also AB's fault.

 

[Buffet]

‘We place a lot of emphasis on the series which happen between these events. The rest of the world don’t really do that. They experiment with teams, they rest players.

Kepler is spot on here. You can do well in ODI series, but if you don't do well in ICC tournaments then over all record is a bit misleading.

 

[Mamoon]

I feel that he is done with international cricket. He is forcing himself to stick around till the 2019 World Cup, but the motivation to perform seems to have deserted him. The 2015 World Cup took a lot out of him. He was at his peak as a batsman and performed at a tremendous level, but SA still failed to go all the way.

 

[ExpressPacer]

I feel that he is done with international cricket. He is forcing himself to stick around till the 2019 World Cup, but the motivation to perform seems to have deserted him. The 2015 World Cup took a lot out of him. He was at his peak as a batsman and performed at a tremendous level, but SA still failed to go all the way.

I concur. Rilee Rossouw was shaping us nicely to replace him and was already an apt replacement for Amla. Shame he went the Kolpak way.

 

[jadaja]

Guy like AB deserves all the benefit of doubt.He is a victim of being extremely good in everything.

When there is no wicket keeper, he is forced to wicket keeper, when there is no finisher he is forced to bat lower down the order.

Today he did not choke , it was both openers and FAF who ruined everything.

 

[sunny85]

I feel that he is done with international cricket. He is forcing himself to stick around till the 2019 World Cup, but the motivation to perform seems to have deserted him. The 2015 World Cup took a lot out of him. He was at his peak as a batsman and performed at a tremendous level, but SA still failed to go all the way.

Duminy ABD and FAF are lynchpin of SA batting. They were out of form clearly and it resulted in their middle order collapse . Same with Aussies and Kiwis.

Contrast - Yuvraj + Dhoni . Stokes + Morgan.

 

[Pete Rose]

Guy like AB deserves all the benefit of doubt.He is a victim of being extremely good in everything.

When there is no wicket keeper, he is forced to wicket keeper, when there is no finisher he is forced to bat lower down the order.

Today he did not choke , it was both openers and FAF who ruined everything.

The world's smallest violin is playing somewhere...

 

[vandokkum]

I feel that he is done with international cricket. He is forcing himself to stick around till the 2019 World Cup, but the motivation to perform seems to have deserted him. The 2015 World Cup took a lot out of him. He was at his peak as a batsman and performed at a tremendous level, but SA still failed to go all the way.

If any South African deserved a world cup, then it was Kallis. But he put the needs of the team before his own and retired. If AB is to leave the game with any sense of integrity left, he needs to quit the captaincy as soon as possible and decide on his international future.

 

[vandokkum]

Duminy ABD and FAF are lynchpin of SA batting. They were out of form clearly and it resulted in their middle order collapse . Same with Aussies and Kiwis.

Contrast - Yuvraj + Dhoni . Stokes + Morgan.

Please give me some of that stuff you got ..... lmao. De kock is the most important batsman in odis, after that it's De villiers. Duminy is the most worthless cricketer along with Behardien.

 

[Mamoon]

If any South African deserved a world cup, then it was Kallis. But he put the needs of the team before his own and retired. If AB is to leave the game with any sense of integrity left, he needs to quit the captaincy as soon as possible and decide on his international future.

The best way forward for de Villiers now is to give up captaincy and officially retire from Test cricket. Everyone knows that his Test career is over, but as Kepler mentioned, the uncertainty over his inclusion/exclusion is not helping SA cricket.

 

[jadaja]

The world's smallest violin is playing somewhere...

meaning?????????????

 

[Pete Rose]

A little discussed observation: all South African players stick around longer than required - very Pakistani way of doing things

 

[Pete Rose]

meaning?????????????

Meaning all that matters is the performance. And he pretty much disintegrates at the big moment. The run out today is his fault as well. As the senior most batsman in the team, he had the choice to refuse the single.

 

[ToeCrusher2]

Interesting to see so much hate towards AB, Ab is the most liked and popular foreign cricketer in India, don't follow south african cricket very closely, so don't know about his captaincy issues, but it was weird seeing saffer posters dissing ab.

 

[Pete Rose]

The best way forward for de Villiers now is to give up captaincy and officially retire from Test cricket. Everyone knows that his Test career is over, but as Kepler mentioned, the uncertainty over his inclusion/exclusion is not helping SA cricket.

I don't think he or steyn should be playing international cricket. Team ethos matter a lot in cricket. Espceicllay when you are trying to create a new team. Can't have senior players sitting on the physio bench for half the year and spending the rest of their time pontificating about the virtues of being selective in managing their workload. No matter how professional the team, it breeds resentment. It's as bad as playing cricketers through affirmative action.

 

[Pete Rose]

Interesting to see so much hate towards AB, Ab is the most liked and popular foreign cricketer in India, don't follow south african cricket very closely, so don't know about his captaincy issues, but it was weird seeing saffer posters dissing ab.

AB in India is not how Saffers judge his pedigree

 

[vandokkum]

Interesting to see so much hate towards AB, Ab is the most liked and popular foreign cricketer in India, don't follow south african cricket very closely, so don't know about his captaincy issues, but it was weird seeing saffer posters dissing ab.

He is famous in India because of IPL and because of his flashy batting. Indians surely don't give a damn about SA. His captaincy is abysmal and all the confusion he has created in the team over the past couple of season.

 

[ToeCrusher2]

AB in India is not how Saffers judge his pedigree

Never said that

 

[jadaja]

Meaning all that matters is the performance. And he pretty much disintegrates at the big moment. The run out today is his fault as well. As the senior most batsman in the team, he had the choice to refuse the single.

If you have played any cricket you would understand, it was a close call , if he had full legs he would have made it.Faf has history of running people out and it showed again when he ran miller out.

 

[ToeCrusher2]

If you have played any cricket you would understand, it was a close call , if he had full legs he would have made it.Faf has history of running people out and it showed again when he ran miller out.

That miller runnout was so bad, totally duplesis's fault, *** was he doing, it was miller's call, he responded and then suddenly decided to turn back #pathetic

 

[Pete Rose]

Never said that

Bit you did. You were perplexed and I was clarifying for you

 

[Pete Rose]

If you have played any cricket you would understand, it was a close call , if he had full legs he would have made it.Faf has history of running people out and it showed again when he ran miller out.

Sure. It befalls him in big moments

 

[ToeCrusher2]

Bit you did. You were perplexed and I was clarifying for you

Nope, I was just making an observation that a player so popular in India is so hated in his own country, you were the one who was confused and probably didn't comprehend properly

 

[Savak]

Why are so many South African players going the Kolpak route? Do the South African players not get paid enough in South Africa? Are there less attractive options for South African cricketers in retirement?

 

[jadaja]

Sure. It befalls him in big moments

What big moments he has failed, he has not failed any more than any super star.

It was because of him they nearly made it to finals in world cup 2015, If Faf along with Amla did not screw up they would have made it .

Like I said earlier he is too good for his own good, if he was lesser batsman he would have either played at no3 or open.But he takes any role which his team lacks.

 

[TahirFan]

Why are so many South African players going the Kolpak route? Do the South African players not get paid enough in South Africa? Are there less attractive options for South African cricketers in retirement?

Exchange rate = 1 British Pound = 17 South African rands

South Africans going the Kolpak route are far better off financially than our cricketers playing for our national side.

Since Black rule many white cricketers are no longer patrioctic towards S.A as they were during white apartheid rule

 

[Pete Rose]

Exchange rate = 1 British Pound = 17 South African rands

South Africans going the Kolpak route are far better off financially than our cricketers playing for our national side.

Since Black rule many white cricketers are no longer patrioctic towards S.A as they were during white apartheid rule

If it opens more spots for black players, that's a good thing. They might not all be world beaters but they will get there soon enough.

 

[Zabbaz]

If any South African deserved a world cup, then it was Kallis. But he put the needs of the team before his own and retired. If AB is to leave the game with any sense of integrity left, he needs to quit the captaincy as soon as possible and decide on his international future.

I have to disagree. I always felt that Kallis was an overrated ODI player. Batted too slowly, despite the fact that slow scoring was not criticized to the extent it is today. He would often take too long to get going and catch up later in his innings by hitting a few. In fact during the super series vs the Great Aussie side, some experts and many fans openly proclaimed that he was a selfish batsman (in ODI's) and that his slow scoring had impacted RSA negatively several times, but that this had unfortunately not been highlighted because people wanted to protect his image as a legend.

I agree with you that AB should quite captaincy.

 

[TahirFan]

If it opens more spots for black players, that's a good thing. They might not all be world beaters but they will get there soon enough.

Spot on. Ntini's performance created a interest in cricket amongst black people.

 

[TahirFan]

I have to disagree. I always felt that Kallis was an overrated ODI player. Batted too slowly, despite the fact that slow scoring was not criticized to the extent it is today. He would often take too long to get going and catch up later in his innings by hitting a few. In fact during the super series vs the Great Aussie side, some experts and many fans openly proclaimed that he was a selfish batsman (in ODI's) and that his slow scoring had impacted RSA negatively several times, but that this had unfortunately not been highlighted because people wanted to protect his image as a legend.

I agree with you that AB should quite captaincy.

Kallis has been a slow accumulator of runs all his career - not a dominator

His purpose in the Proteas ODI side was to hold the innings together and big hitters like Klusener , Gibbs and Boucher bat around him

He was definitely the most boring ODI batsman

 

[Hasan123]

AB should be sacked or step down as captain. He's not that great tactically and he is very emotional as we have seen from his press conferences at times. Furthermore how can a team be lead by a player who wants to rest instead of playing tests? I don't mind if ABD want to retire from tests but he should come out and say it instead of acting as though he will return.

Faf seems more of a natural leader, plus he seems to be able to deal with the pressure better and isn't as emotional as AB. He has also shown his tactical awareness in his brief stint at LO captain and during his test captaincy so far.

Captaincy doesn't seem to he ABs thing and more failures could make him lose motivation. Better to let ABD concentrate on playing and trying to play at the 2019 world cup.

 

[CricMylifr]

Maybe I am in minority but I believe ur best players in the team shouldn't captain the team..

The likes of kohli, Williamson, root, ab, baber Azam, smith should be kept away from captaincy...


these players carry their respected team on their back.. they r match winners.. they should just focus on their batting.. not worry about captaincy...


Captaincy didn't work for sachin, lara, sanga, and even inzi was struggling..

Last night AB was more panicking than anyone else..

Faf is the right choice... AB should carry the batting load..

 

[Aman]

Interesting to see so much hate towards AB, Ab is the most liked and popular foreign cricketer in India, don't follow south african cricket very closely, so don't know about his captaincy issues, but it was weird seeing saffer posters dissing ab.

Because he doesn't choke for India.

You'd be singing another tune if he played for India

 

[Sherlock]

What are they going to do now then? Ab has had a go, Amla has been captain but didn't want it, and then Faf has also been burdened with it.

Maybe it's time to look at someone from the domestic game and pick that player. Just like they did with Smith.

 

[MMHS]

AB isn't interested to wear SAF Cap any more. For a player of his caliber, it's disgusting to notice his approach towards Test cricket, which indicates his feelings towards SAF cap.

His batting intelligence doesn't give any clue why he should be such a poor captain. It only suggests his lack of interest & commitment to the job. His lack of involvement decimates into his team members as well, otherwise their top 6 is bet in ODI world. He should step down immediately & play as a common man till 2019 WC, for one last shot at an ICC event. Otherwise, he should retire for SAF team immediately.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Its harsh to pin it all on AB. Its not like he's the reason SA dont do well in ICC tournaments.

It is under him, SA won 5-0 vs Aus, SA beat India in India, SA reached no.1 rank in ODI's.


Of course, emotions are high right now as SA yet again exit the tournament early despite being one of the top contenders but well thats not something new.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

AB isn't interested to wear SAF Cap any more. For a player of his caliber, it's disgusting to notice his approach towards Test cricket, which indicates his feelings towards SAF cap.

His batting intelligence doesn't give any clue why he should be such a poor captain. It only suggests his lack of interest & commitment to the job. His lack of involvement decimates into his team members as well, otherwise their top 6 is bet in ODI world. He should step down immediately & play as a common man till 2019 WC, for one last shot at an ICC event. Otherwise, he should retire for SAF team immediately.

You make it sound like if someone chooses limited overs over test, they are doing something wrong. It is his choice, how he wants to extend his cricketing career.

Lets see how this poor captain has fared. Beat NZ in NZ, Ind in Ind, SL in SL, Pak in Pak. SA reached no.1 under his captaincy.

The disinterested AB averages a mere 63 with close to 5000 runs as captain, of which 1400 runs have come at a low average of 53 in the last 2 years alone.

He should retire immediately. SA would be better off without such a selfish player.

 

[Wowqar]

Dressing room problems? Talent wise SA should have reached the semis at the least.

 

[Mamoon]

AB isn't interested to wear SAF Cap any more. For a player of his caliber, it's disgusting to notice his approach towards Test cricket, which indicates his feelings towards SAF cap.

His batting intelligence doesn't give any clue why he should be such a poor captain. It only suggests his lack of interest & commitment to the job. His lack of involvement decimates into his team members as well, otherwise their top 6 is bet in ODI world. He should step down immediately & play as a common man till 2019 WC, for one last shot at an ICC event. Otherwise, he should retire for SAF team immediately.

I somewhat disagree on the batting intelligence part. He can play all kinds of innings against all types of bowlers, such is his talent, but miscalculations are a common feature of his batting. That explains the numerous run chases he has bottled after playing a marvelous innings and putting SA in the driver's seat. His game is built on natural ability and instinct, but those quality don't serve him well as captain. He doesn't have analytical brain and is not able to contain or attack the batsmen. Tactically, he is one of the most random captains I have ever seen.

 

[Hawkeye]

Trolls understandably having a field day.

Modern day ODI great is being hated in this thread for running into bad form, that too after a decade.

Don't let these haters define the greatness of AB. He'll go on to perform as good as WC 2015 in the World Cup 2019.

Perhaps, even better.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

What are they going to do now then? Ab has had a go, Amla has been captain but didn't want it, and then Faf has also been burdened with it.

Maybe it's time to look at someone from the domestic game and pick that player. Just like they did with Smith.

Under Smith, SA choked in 2007 ODI WC, epic choke in 2007 T20 WC, choked again chasing a meagre total against a hapless NZ side in 2011 WC, Didn't do much in 2006, 2009 CT either.

Smith is probably one of the greatest captain in SA's history but under him as well SA massively under achieved in ICC tournaments.

 

[MMHS]

You make it sound like if someone chooses limited overs over test, they are doing something wrong. It is his choice, how he wants to extend his cricketing career.

Lets see how this poor captain has fared. Beat NZ in NZ, Ind in Ind, SL in SL, Pak in Pak. SA reached no.1 under his captaincy.

The disinterested AB averages a mere 63 with close to 5000 runs as captain, of which 1400 runs have come at a low average of 53 in the last 2 years alone.

He should retire immediately. SA would be better off without such a selfish player.

I don't put Test cricket as superior, but it's indicative. In cricket, Test cricket is associated with the country identity. It's like Davis Cup or Ryder Cup, players represent it with & for pride, not for money. For Davis Cup, skipping 2 weeks of ATP Tour means almost a million dollar loss for the likes of Nadal or Federar or Murrey. In a year, teams play 10-12 Tests at most in 3/4 Series - still this guy managed to miss half of SAF's Tests in last few years.

He is just not interested to represent SAF - needs to play in ODI/T20 to keep his market value up, the central contract money & the endorsements that comes along SAF cricket. He is too good to get a County contract as overseas player without being a Kolpak, otherwise this guy would have left SAF long back.

 

[MMHS]

I somewhat disagree on the batting intelligence part. He can play all kinds of innings against all types of bowlers, such is his talent, but miscalculations are a common feature of his batting. That explains the numerous run chases he has bottled after playing a marvelous innings and putting SA in the driver's seat. His game is built on natural ability and instinct, but those quality don't serve him well as captain. He doesn't have analytical brain and is not able to contain or attack the batsmen. Tactically, he is one of the most random captains I have ever seen.

By batting intelligence, I am not talking about his situational analysis, he is one of the dumbest in that. But, it's the way he counters a bowling, innovates new shots, improvises his strokes, it's indicates his functional brain in terms of strategy & planning. I feel, he isn't proud or interested to lead his team, otherwise for a player like him shouldn't look such clueless as Captain. Looking at him, first thing that comes to my mind is "disengaged" - it's similar in football, when a star player is not in good terms with his manager.

I give another classic example - Carl Hooper. In a Indian/Latin majority Guyana, he was black minority. I never felt Hooper was proud enough to represent WI Cap, or he was part of the team. Those days, there was no IPL, but there was County & league cricket. This guy would play every match for Lancashire or Kent, play private leagues around globe (even played few seasons in Dhaka League) & somehow skip WI matches - after 1992, his next WC appearance was 2003!!! And, it reflects in his cricket as well - being one of the fittest cricketer around, he was run out 8/9 times in Test; he dropped some of the easiest catches, but I do rate him among top few slip catchers. Only when he was made Captain for few series, I found him interested in his game.

 

[Sherlock]

Under Smith, SA choked in 2007 ODI WC, epic choke in 2007 T20 WC, choked again chasing a meagre total against a hapless NZ side in 2011 WC, Didn't do much in 2006, 2009 CT either.

Smith is probably one of the greatest captain in SA's history but under him as well SA massively under achieved in ICC tournaments.

I'm not talking about choking in tournaments. I'm talking about keeping the team together and progressing altogether. Under Smith's leadership they were a great side.

The choking part was evident way before he took over too, so hardly a case in point.

 

[SL_Fan]

He's a very poor cap'n to begin with. Add the extra pressure that comes with ICC tourneys and he becomes absolutely clueless. SA would be foolish to still stick with him even when it's glaringly obvious that it's not working.

 

[SL_Fan]

Faf should be the obvious replacement. A much better cap'n and he has shown it in the games that he has led. Only issue with him is that he needs to stop running ppl out in ICC tourneys hahaha.

 

[Hasan123]

Its harsh to pin it all on AB. Its not like he's the reason SA dont do well in ICC tournaments.

It is under him, SA won 5-0 vs Aus, SA beat India in India, SA reached no.1 rank in ODI's.


Of course, emotions are high right now as SA yet again exit the tournament early despite being one of the top contenders but well thats not something new.

SA won 5-0 under Faf not under AB. Also most of those series wins under Ab weren't because of his capacity as well LOL.

 

[Adil_94]

idk why Faf isnt the captain. AB is clearly a rubbish captain. He has already chickened out of Tests and ia hanging on till the ODI WC in 2019 to have one last chance at tournament glory.

 

[itsme]

Faf should have stayed captain,it will help ab too.

 

[itsme]

idk why Faf isnt the captain. AB is clearly a rubbish captain. He has already chickened out of Tests and ia hanging on till the ODI WC in 2019 to have one last chance at tournament glory.

He has played more than 100 test matches,why would he chickened out?

 

[Bhaijaan]

If any South African deserved a world cup, then it was Kallis. But he put the needs of the team before his own and retired. If AB is to leave the game with any sense of integrity left, he needs to quit the captaincy as soon as possible and decide on his international future.

Give me a break. Kallis is the embodiment of the South African ineptness at taking ownership in big matches. Chickened out of most contests in his career playing safe for a safe 50. Those stats just look good on the screen.

If any South African deserved glory it was Lance Klusener the zulu who played with his heart on his sleeves. Then Pollock, Ntini and Boucher probably.

 

[ToeCrusher2]

Give me a break. Kallis is the embodiment of the South African ineptness at taking ownership in big matches. Chickened out of most contests in his career playing safe for a safe 50. Those stats just look good on the screen.

If any South African deserved glory it was Lance Klusener the zulu who played with his heart on his sleeves. Then Pollock, Ntini and Boucher probably.

Exactly, kallis was a big choker in odis, still remember the 2000 champions trophy semis against India where gibbs almost annihilated India during the chase before getting cramps, they needed 70-80 runs to win in the last 20 overs but kallis (who was batting alongside gibbs) couldn't even finish such an easy chase after being completely set.

 

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

Kallis was one of the biggest chokers they've ever had.

2002 CT: Choked horribly after Gibbs retired hurt despite being set for a long time.

2007 wc : Hayden and Ponting called his "slowpoke Kallis" before their semifinal. He got rattled and tried to slog a McGrath yorker for six. Hilariously bad.

2011 wc: Easy target, well set... All he needed to do was bat out and they would win. Instead, he choked under pressure again and tried to slog a six, only to be caught by Oram.

It's strange because the only icc tournaments that they have won had a great performance from Kallis in semifinal and final. After that it has been a series of pathetic chokes from him.

 

[Hasan123]

SA won 5-0 under Faf not under AB. Also most of those series wins under Ab weren't because of his capacity as well LOL.

* Captaincy

 

[ToeCrusher2]

That 1999 choke was the single biggest turning point in south africa cricketing history, no one called saffers the chokers before 1999, since they didn't have the mental baggage of this label, they easily won the 1998 champions trophy, this shows that their choking is purely mental, that donald runnout left such a big impact on the south african cricket that the after effects can still be felt today. I am sure the day they win a major ICC trophy, they'll get rid of this tag and win a few more in quick succession

 

[Mlscicfan]

Hope these comments from former SA captain will silence SA blind supporters who still think SA is best team in the world !

 

[Adil_94]

[MENTION=136355]itsme[/MENTION] he played most of his Tests in a comfort zone where he had Smith Amla and Kallis who made the majority of the big and important runs and he wasnt expected to be the man in that team. As soon as the legends started retiring and SA needed him as a senior to step up AB ran away from Tests because he couldnt be bothered. Rather than outright retiring he is playing this limbo game to see which test series he feels like playing.

He doesnt want to play a 4 Test series in England it shows that his heart for Test cricket is gone and that he is a fairweather cricketer.

 

[itsme]

[MENTION=136355]itsme[/MENTION] he played most of his Tests in a comfort zone where he had Smith Amla and Kallis who made the majority of the big and important runs and he wasnt expected to be the man in that team. As soon as the legends started retiring and SA needed him as a senior to step up AB ran away from Tests because he couldnt be bothered. Rather than outright retiring he is playing this limbo game to see which test series he feels like playing.

He doesnt want to play a 4 Test series in England it shows that his heart for Test cricket is gone and that he is a fairweather cricketer.

He performed very well even after smith and kallis' departure,he is 33 it's quite normal that he prefers to be financially secure,aus/eng india's players don't have to bother thanks to theirs big salaries.