5 Forgettable moments for South Africa in the World Cup

If you are a South African fan, better visit your cardiologist before the World Cup begins.South Africa, despite playing in the least number of World Cups (among the Top 8 teams) has produced the most number of memorable (forgettable for the team) moments for cricket fans.Here’s a look at the Top 5 forgettable moments for South Africa in World Cups:

#5 Malingas four in four in 2007

In a Super Eights match in Guyana, South Africa restricted Sri Lanka to 209 thanks to Charl Langeveldt’s 5 for 39. In the run chase, South Africa were cruising at 206 for 5 needing only 4 runs in more than 5 overs with 5 wickets in hand. A South African win seemed only a formality.

Lasith Malinga had different ideas. With the penultimate ball of the 45th over, he bowled out a well-set Shaun Pollock. Pollock played inside the line to a slower ball yorker and lost his leg stump. The next ball was a yorker on middle stump and the new batsman Andrew Hall could only lob a straightforward catch to Upul Tharanga at cover.

Vaas bowled a brilliant 46th over to new man Robin Peterson keeping Jaques Kallis (in his 80s) away from the strike. Malinga returned for the 47th over running in to bowl his hattrick ball. He had Kallis (attempting a square drive) caught behind to get his hattrick. He then sent the middle stump of tail-ender Makhaya Ntini for a walk with a wonderful yorker, becoming the first man in the history of international cricket to take four wickets in four consecutive deliveries.

Unfortunately for Malinga, his next ball missed the off stump of No. 11 Charl Langeveldt narrowly and South Africa went on to win the match as the last partnership survived a tense few overs before getting home with an edge to the third man fence.