Mike Stopforth

So my beloved South African cricket team has blundered it’s way through to the semifinal stage of the 2007 World Cup. A Wold Cup which, in retrospect, has been marred by terrible tragedies (the alleged murder of Bob Woolmer), crazy upsets and shocking support from the Caribbean locals (although this has to be blamed on West Indian Cricket authorities).

It’s also had some pretty special moments. The performances of both the Bangladeshi and amateur Irish sides has surprised many a purist, and pundit. The return to form of Matthew Hayden (who looks simply sublime any time he gets to the middle), the bowling of Malinga and Vaas in tandem. The consistency of our very own Jacques Kallis, who I would not have put my money on to be our go-to man, but it seems he copes best on slow, low pitches (not to mention under extreme pressure).

Back to the semi’s. South Africa does not deserve to win this World Cup. We have not been the best team throughout the tournament, with both New Zealand and Australia showing outstanding winning form (until of course New Zealand played Australia and got hammered by the biggest losing margin in their ODI history – ouch), and Sri Lanka on a par, I believe, with our form. Australia are without doubt the best all-round side in the world at the moment and should go through to win it.

Should.

But you see, we’ve never really been the best team in the world and yet, there’s something about our boys (not all of them, granted), that is severely intent on snatching this Cup this time, no matter what the odds against them are. We’ve just had too much bad luck, too much controversy, too much frustration to not stand a frikkin’ good chance at stealing a win.

Still, it all comes down to one moment – one catch, one run, one great ball, one decision. I’m a farily practical guy, but deep down in my heart I really do believe that sometimes when a butterfly flaps it’s tiny wings on this side of the globe, an tornado starts on the other.

Let’s do our boys justice. Let’s stop complaining about every little quirk we don’t like. Let’s stop whining. Let’s realise just how far we’ve come, and just how much we’ve overcome. Let’s celebrate the diversity and talent our country produces. Let’s enjoy the game. Let’s be real fans for a change and not fickle Saffa’s.

I have a hunch if we believe enough, a butterfly may just decide to flap it’s wings as AB De Villiers takes a swing at a Glenn McGrath long hop…

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