"Salamat Jalan" Malaysia
It seems South African teams specialise in cruel exits from World Cups. If it’s not bizarre run-outs or miscalculations of required run-rates, it’s the rain and other factors beyond their control. And the 2008 ICC Under 19 CWC in Malaysia was no different.
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After producing one of the most phenomenal fielding performances of the tournament in yesterday’s final against India, bowling them all out for 159, the South Africans somehow contrived to lose three wickets for just 17 runs, meaning that Duckworth and Lewis were never going to be kind to them once the rain came. But all credit must go to the victorious Indian team. Even when things were looking bleak, having been dismissed in the 46th over with not very many runs to their name, they came out firing and determined to defend what seemed to be way too low a total. And that they did, with true passion and perseverance and another excellent effort from their bowlers.
So, yes, being South African myself and having experienced all the highs and lows of the senior side’s progress (and lack thereof) in World Cup events, it was massively disappointing that the final should be so affected by the rain. But at the same time, India have emerged as worthy winners of the world title.
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They have withstood the massive pressure that comes along with pulling on that light blue shirt and done the cricket-crazy nation proud. Credit must also go to the unfancied South Africans, however, for upsetting the odds in even reaching the final and showing that, despite a shaky build-up to the tournament, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
As I get ready to pack my bags and leave Malaysia, I find myself looking back and wondering which of these names that have become so familiar over the last three weeks will be the ones starring in their senior teams in years to come. Plenty of players who have stood out at under 19 level have never amounted to anything in the senior ranks, but every now and then you get the Yuvraj Singhs, Sanath Jayasuriyas and Graeme Smiths that have made the step up from this tournament to the global stage and that’s what it all so exciting.
New Zealand’s Tim Southee was named as man of the tournament and, having already represented his nation at senior level, will surely be one to keep an eye on in the future. So too India’s Virat and Taruwar Kohli and Pradeep Sangwan, South Africa’s Wayne Parnell and Jonathan Vandiar, as well as Pakistan’s Adil Raza and Ali Asad and Australia’s Michael Hill to name just a few.
Only time will tell …
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