Not so Super Sunday

Things were pretty relaxed in the SuperSport studio on Sunday as a composed South Africa forged ahead in their determined quest to knock England's World Cup campaign for six.

During the 32nd over of South Africa's chase I was chatting to Shaun Pollock about the group tables and where, after snaffling another two points, Smith's charges were likely to end up come quarterfinal time. Either top or second in Group B was the likely outcome, depending on next Saturday's encounter with India, and by then the match-ups with Group A would become clearer.

Either way South Africa were to be sitting pretty and would not be confronted by any rampaging team as the first two teams in the groups play the teams ranked third and fourth respectively.

A quick glance at our giant plasma screen in the studio confirmed that all was on track and at 124 for three, victory was about an hour away. Forty seven runs to get with seven wickets in hand was not an issue and we were jotting down notes for our post-match recap.

Our attention was momentarily stolen by a belated Anderson celebration on the screen as AB was nipped out and Polly and I continued to chat. Minutes later another loud shout confirmed that the English were not faffing about and Du Plessis was banished to the change room. Shaun was unconcerned. Then the jovial atmosphere in the studio changed dramatically as JP was comprehensively castled by a beaut from Anderson.

At about the same time a smiling Owais Shah bounced into the room and loudly proclaimed that they were back in it.

The plasma commanded our attention immediately. All conversation about South Africa's qualifications dramatically ceased as Peterson almost immediately nicked one. Four wickets in the blink of an eye for the addition of a miserly three runs silenced the former skipper.

Shah was beaming now and predicting victory. He was soon proven correct.

The last seven wickets capitulated for the addition of only 41 runs and the predicted two points for South Africa vanished. The sudden reversal of fortunes was quite extraordinary and a combination of canny captaincy, a shocking pitch and quality bowling ensured a pulsating game of cricket was won by England.

Shah was by now bouncing off the walls and doing a perfectly acceptable imitation of a Cheshire cat.

Polly was crestfallen but realistic. I could see from his face that painful memories were flooding back. He suddenly blurted out to no-one in particular that although this result was massively deflating, it was not a bad thing. He said this reality check and a serious mid-tournament wake-up call could be turned into a positive if it was managed correctly. He was correct of course, and speaking from experience. Better to stumble now and regroup, than collapse dramatically for the first time when one hand is groping at the silverware.

The bottom line is that this dramatic loss is not a train smash. The team can now galvanise and run through some checks and balances to correct current wrongs. The upcoming challenge that looms on Saturday with India will provide another barometer.

The winner of this event will peak at the right time. That time is not now.