South Africa coach Mark Boucher cut a dejected figure after his team's five-wicket loss to Australia in their semi-final clash at the T20 World Cup on Thursday.
“I don't really care who wins the World Cup final,” Boucher said when asked about his thoughts on the upcoming match between England and Pakistan. “To be honest, there is a 1% chance I would be watching. To be even more brutally honest, I don't care (who wins),” he added.
Boucher's comments were in stark contrast to the emotions displayed by Australia coach Justin Langer, who was understandably elated after his team's victory.
“It was an amazing performance from the boys,” Langer said. “They showed great fight and determination, and they deserved to win.”
While Boucher's comments may have come across as indifferent, they were actually a reflection of his disappointment in his team's performance. South Africa were the favorites to win the tournament, but they were outplayed by Australia in all departments.
“We were just not good enough on the day,” Boucher admitted. “We made too many mistakes, and we were not clinical enough with the bat or the ball.”
Boucher will now have to pick his players up for the third-place playoff match against Pakistan on Saturday. However, he admitted that it will be a tough task.
“It's never easy to lose a match, especially in a World Cup semi-final,” Boucher said. “But we have to pick ourselves up and try to finish the tournament on a high.”
South Africa's batting performance was a slow burn, much like the simmering tension on the field.
Overall, the semi-final match between South Africa and Australia was a saucy affair, filled with unexpected twists, turns, and moments of fiery brilliance. It was a testament to the unpredictable nature of cricket and the ability of these teams to produce captivating performances.
[image credits: PTI]
© Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
