10 Greatest sporting chokes of all time (Part- 2)

2. South African cricket team, ICC Cricket World Cup 1999- Donald ‘ducked out’!

A team known for being massive underachievers on the biggest competitive stages in cricket, South Africa can boast their own countdown of choking moments in their cricketing history.

Their most tragic story goes back to the 1999 World Cup semi-final against Australia – a contest where the Proteas lost well before the result was declared. First, the it was Australian side that went on to score a respectable 213 on a difficult batting wicket.

If that wasn’t enough, fast bowler Allan Donald had other ideas to twist the match even more. South Africa was on course to a win with a run to score in 3 balls, a wicket in hand and Lance Klusener on strike. Klusener pushes the ball to mid-off and runs for a single, when Donald on the non-striker’s end, with his bat dropped on the ground, froze at the crease. He did run in the end, but it was all too late as he ran himself out. Game Over! They bottled it!

The match ended as a tie but Australia qualified to the finals on terms of superior run-rate.

This horror show was summed up really well by Bill Lawrie, who was commentating on that final ball.

“There it is, this will be out surely – oh it’s out, it’s gonna be run out…oh, that is South Africa out- Donald did not run, I cannot believe it. Australia go into the World Cup Final – ridiculous running with two balls to go. Donald did not go, Klusener came – what a disappointing end for South Africa,” said a shocked Lawrie, as the dramatic climax of the game unfolded right in front of him.

Even after fielding several quality squads over the years, South Africa still havel not won a Cricket World Cup. They could have had one in their cabinet, if not for Donald’s frailties.