The march towards....

winning the Champions Trophy starts today with the first of three ODI games against the hosts, England. The Proteas cannot wish for a better preparation going into a prestigious competition. England are a good side as we are reminded of their close 3-2 loss to the Proteas on SAFFA turf, they will be even better on their own turf. The Proteas on the other hand have won 14 of their last 16 ODI games and are without a doubt a good side as well. To win the tournament they need one of the players to put his hand up, to impose himself....to make a statement. Could that be AB or Amla or Rabada? This is not the time to hang back waiting for someone else to make the move instead this is the hour to show some determination and fight, to treasure your wicket and to hold onto it until the last ball is bowled. That first step starts tonite.
Go the Proteas. 

 Well, not too good a start, but not a tota desaster either. We were going OKish for a good while after losing QdK at the start. Hope we can do better in the next one.

 It's very disappointing, I'm absolutely gutted to see a performance we've seen once too often in the past at these kind of tournaments. There was no resistance, no fight, they collapsed like a deck of cards. Further to their problems is a woeful bowling attack, I did warn that the squad lacked a bowler who could swing the ball but that aside the attack is one paced, Rabada was dreadful and Parnell is not world class. Prodigious wicket taker and partnership breaker Tahir, never looked liked taking a wicket, the POMS read him like a book, they had done the homework on him.
Still cricket has never been about one swallow making it summer so let's see if and how they recover in the next one.

Miller, de Kock and Duminy weren't too flash either.

Yeah, I was really hoping for better from our guys. As D has mentioned, it is just one game so there is still time to turn it around. I just hope that we haven't peaked, once again, at the wrong time. A year ago we were almost unstoppable, but, we have looked progressively weaker and weaker since then. We're still competitive, don't get me wrong, b ut we have lost a little something since the series against Aus. 

 
Call it was it is please, Draad ... a hiding ...

Let's see if they can put up a better showing in the next one.

 Bowling lacked bite and discipline. Chasing 340 puts big pressure on the batting. De Kock was key but this outstanding Young man was out for quickly.

 @ Denny

Always remember that's its much better to get your loss in early, when you can still recover from it.

Its' very rare that you'll go unbeaten throughout.

 Beeno, i'd like you opinion on Mitchell's appointment at the Bulls...please go to that thread

 A year ago we were almost unstoppable....
What's changed? Proteas are still @1 in the ODI rankings unfortunately they also share the dubious honour of being the #1 Chokers.