The big freeze, an old South African failing that finds expression in crunch situations was on full view at a packed Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here on Friday night.
Right from that distant day at Birmingham in 1999 when Lance Klusener and Allan Donald got mixed-up in a run-out and Steve Waugh's men sneaked through to the World Cup final, the Proteas have been fighting to shed their ‘chokers' tag. Their latest crumble will only add historical significance to a notorious nickname.
Chasing New Zealand's modest 221 for eight from 50 overs, South Africa was on course despite losing openers Hashim Amla and skipper Graeme Smith with just 69 on the board. However, that inexplicable collapse of the past returned to haunt it against a disciplined team that fielded with exemplary resolve.
New Zealand bowled out South Africa for 172 in 43.2 overs and pulled off an upset in the ICC World Cup quarterfinal.
A few days back, AB de Villiers tweeted a Nelson Mandela quote “I look back not to the achievements of individuals, but of collective action.” Sadly collective action eluded de Villiers and his teammates as after the bowlers did a reasonably good job, the batsmen lost their heads.
Amla's freakish dismissal, with the snick ricocheting off Brendon McCullum's boots to Vettori at first slip in the very first over bowled by off-spinner Nathan McCullum nor Smith's inability to get past substitute Jamie How, nailed the South Africans.
Without much ado, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers stabilised the chase while Vettori, well aware of a modest target, opted for attacking fields.
Kallis motored on and de Villiers sneaked in his drives but the script began to alter dramatically from the 25th over. Kallis pulled Tim Southee towards mid-wicket and an on-the-run Jacob Oram, leapt and held on though he was off-balance.
It was 108 for three and soon a familiar fear seeped into the South African dressing room when on 121, J.P. Duminy lost his timber to McCullum and de Villiers dived and lost hope while Martin Guptill's throw was on the money.
‘Man of the match' Oram (four for 39) continued to be in the thick of things, castling a clueless Johan Botha, eliciting a snick from Robin Peterson and pouching Dale Steyn at point.
Francois du Plessis (36) delayed the inevitable until Oram struck again and South Africa's free fall was complete.
Earlier, a diffident New Zealand innings thrived on a steady 114-run third-wicket partnership between Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor after Vettori won the toss and opted to bat.
Smith opened the attack with left-arm spinner Peterson, who in his second over lured Brendon McCullum to chip one back. A cautious Guptill fatally tried to break free against Steyn and the score wobbled at 16 for two in six overs, forcing Ryder and Taylor to adopt a wait-and-watch approach. Southpaw Ryder (83, 121b, 8x4) had struggled to blossom in the tournament.
Ryder made amends with a sheet-anchor knock in which he was alive to run-scoring opportunities on the off-side. He square-drove Morne Morkel, cut Peterson and found his spots between point and sweeper-cover. His partner Taylor (43) was all patience.
On a pitch where the odd ball kept low and Smith swapped his bowlers around, Ryder and Taylor built their alliance over 162 deliveries.
Leg-spinner Imran Tahir prised out the duo before New Zealand could shift gears and the rest struggled though Kane Williamson (38 n.o.) helped New Zealand get past 200 and that eventually proved more than enough.
