PROTEAS HISTORY - THE LEGACY
The Proteas is the term used by the National cricket team of South Africa. The proteas are administrated by Cricket South Africa.
The Proteas first acquired their test status in 1889 but was revoked in 1970 because of the Government's apartheid policy. This led to the team only playing against white nations and only field white players. The ICC reinstated their test status in 1991 after apartheid was demolished by the South African government. The Proteas played their first game, also their first ever one day international, against India in Calcutta on 10 November 1991. The Proteas first test since readmission was in April 1992 against the West Indies.
The Proteas has a label of chokers in major ICC championships. In the 1992 World Cup they were eliminated in the semi-finals although it was because of poor writing of the cricket rules. The Proteas needed 22 runs of 13 balls and then the rain came down and after the delay they needed 22 runs of just 1 ball. After this the ICC finally introduced the Duckworth Lewis system.
In 1996 the Proteas was eliminated in the quarter finals after qualifying first in their group and being one of the favourites to win the tournament. South Africa hosted the 2003 Cricket World Cup, but failed to progress beyond the group stage due to a misunderstanding of how many runs they needed to score in a rain-affected run chase. As a result of this, Shaun Pollock resigned as captain and was replaced by young batsman Graeme Smith, although Pollock continued to play for the team. Under Smith's leadership, South Africa has achieved some success, although they have been hampered by the retirements of many star players, including fast bowler Allan Donald and one-day specialist Jonty Rhodes. As a result, they had a poor 2004, only winning against the West Indies.
n the 2007 World Cup they had a rollercoaster ride that included dominant wins over England, the West Indies, Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland, and a narrow win over Sri Lanka, but devastating losses to Australia, New Zealand and Bangladesh that cost them the number one ranking. Then they bowed out in the semifinals with their lowest ever score in a World Cup as Australia bowled them out for 149 and won by 7 wickets.
In the 2011 World Cup, South Africa topped Group B with the distinction of bowling out every side they played within the 50 over limit. In the quarter final they were beaten by New Zealand after suffering a dramatic collapse and losing eight wickets for 68 runs. They also hold the record of the highest successful run chase and made the highest total (the latter record has been surpassed) in One-Day Internationals (438-9 in 49.5 overs), in an iconic match against Australia on 12 March 2006. This game is considered by many to be the greatest One-Day International ever played.If you are a Protea fan then click here for a amazing sporty site
