If the shoe fits, wear it.

So South Africa has been knocked out of yet another high profile ICC Tournament. And it seems that the ‘chocker tag’ is going to stick for a long time.

There was a lot of expectation on South Africa going into the tournament as the worlds top ranked team in both the test and one day arena. And the world was thinking: surely they cant loose on home soil.

A few events in this tournament led to our demise and we were the main architects in a way.

Firstly, all of the other top teams in the world came to South Africa with regular playing time behind them. Out of the teams participating in the Champions Trophy only South Africa and the West Indies had not played cricket in three months.

Secondly, what was Graeme Smith thinking when he won the toss against Sri Lanka and sent them into bat on a wicket that looked a belter. Perhaps the though of making the Asians bowl at South Africa is dewy conditions appealed to the man, but it was ultimately the wrong decision. We were also very lacklustre in both the bowling and fielding departments.

We then came out and beat the Kiwis convincingly, but lost to England yet again under lights in Centurion. Although there was not much that smith could do as England won the toss and elected to bat first. Again, our bowling was appalling at times.

As usual every other excuse in the world was made except the fact that we played crap cricket in two of our three group games, and in a tournament such as the Champions Trophy that is unacceptable.

The time for making excuses is over. Sure Mickey ‘Mouse’ Arthur is a good coach and has done fantastic things with the team, but a few things about his performance, particularly in this tournament, need to be questioned.

Firstly, our lack of game time should have been looked at. If the ICC Cricket schedule allowed for a tournament one would have been arranged, even if is against weaker teams such as Zimbabwe and Kenya. Its match practice. If the Indians or Pakistani’s have a break in their schedules they arrange a mini tri-nations event and play each other.

Secondly, our lack of seasoned veterans in the bowling department needs to be resolved and fast. In both the Sri Lanka and England matches, we could have done with a pace bowler that could call on experience and bowl a consistent line and length. He would come in at the expense of Roelof Van De Merwe, who was initially included in the squad as a batsman, but now finds himself languishing at the bottom of the order. Couldn’t a case be made for the inclusion of Makhaya Ntini, who is in the squad carrying drinks on the field.

Looking at the tournament, there were some high scores with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and England both passing the 300 mark. So the wickets are batsman friendly, which should suit South Africa with its long batting line up. Perhaps an extra bowler who can try and restrict the runs would be a better option for South Africa then the extra batsman who has not performed.

What’s even more scary is the form of England who are visiting South Africa at the end of the year for a full tour.

They look to be a team that is gaining confidence with every match played. Although the Australian team touring England was viewed as a weakened team, they were favourites to retain the ashes as they came off a wining series in South Africa. However, England won the Ashes, but lost the 7 match ODI series convincingly, 6-1 in fact. They seem to have turned that ODI form around by winning their two Champions Trophy games. This seems a bit ominous ahead of what is a crucial opportunity for South Africa to silence their critics and gain some retribution for their Champions Trophy exit.

The only major downside to the England tour at the end of the year will be the arrival of the Barmy Army hell bent on singing poncy songs, getting drunk and giving the world all the reson to thank the lord that they are not English.