(Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Hosts South Africa suffered the ignominy of crashing out of the ICC Champions Trophy in the Group stages.
South Africa had gone into the tournament as one of the favourites, given the fact that they were ranked No. 1 in the world in One Day cricket.
This is not the first time that South Africa have failed to live up to their billing as tournament favourites.
Earlier this year, Graeme Smith's men were widely tipped to win the World Twenty20 in England, but they fell short in the Semi Finals against eventual Champions Pakistan.
In 2003, when South Africa hosted the ICC World Cup, they miscalculated their required Duckworth Lewis score in a rain-affected match against Sri Lanka and they were subsequently eliminated.
Ironically, South Africa have shown some superb form in bilateral series over the last 18 months. They drew a Test Series in India 1-1, defeated England in England 2-1 and they did the Test and ODI double in Australia.
Graeme Smith has led his country for six years, and it is hard to see who else could lead South Africa at this moment in time.
If South Africa can raise their game, then it would take a brave person to Bet against them winning the ICC World Cup in 2011.
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