The challenge for South Africa

DATELINE: MAY 16: 8.20am. LOS ANGELES.
SUBJECT: ICC WORLD TWENTY20 FROM BARBADOS.
VENUE: MY LOUNGE, SANTA MONICA.

The media response and the odd tirade has been interesting to say the least after South Africa's meek submission from the tournament. Personally I have never seen a South African team play like they did. They were timid, totally non adventurous and not committed. Often at this level you need to risk to succeed. They were dictated to. That never works. Where was the fight?

8.25am. Interesting - England win the toss and elect to bowl. That's against my strategy to win in T20. They want to attack and fancy making early inroads to shock Australia. Might be some pace in the deck. 160 will be a game.

First and foremost South Africa need to look no further than England to see how it should be done.

8.33am. Watson gone. Caught, dropped, caught, dropped, caught eventually.

England have completely restructured their T20 thinking. They now pick horses for courses squads. They have a team of T20 specialists that have the skill to adapt to foreign conditions.

8.40am. What was Michael Clarke thinking?! Warner run out. Even Usain Bolt would have been short.

The England captain, coach and selectors did not consider reputations or records. They wanted an immediate turnaround in their T20 fortunes. They wanted a team of action men. From 12 months ago there are only six survivors.

8.44am. Billy Doctrove picks up his first wicket. Haddin brilliantly caught off the thigh pad.

There is a real buzz from England in the field and they are feeding superbly off momentum. England are showing great intensity, another aspect that South Africa lacked. South Africa rarely pressurised the opposition or more to the point they did not take the initiative and play themselves into a position to force the issue. England in comparison are doing just that against Australia today in the final. Australia are out of their comfort zone early.

9.10am. An extraordinary catch from Colly gets his opposite number.

When a team is playing with high intensity and energy these types of catches stick. You tend to make and expect your own snatches of luck.

9.22am. Cameron is white hot in the 13th over. 21 runs from it.

Clearly many South African players were severely hampered by weeks of centre wicket inactivity as they warmed the benches during the IPL.

9.35am. White slogs from an unstable base and departs. Australia are sniped just as a recovery threatens. There now needs to be some hustling from brothers Michael and David.

9.43am. Ian Chappell is really getting the knives in to Stuart Broad regarding his whingeing attitude which always lurks just below the surface. Chappelli is correct. His petulance subtracts from his ability.

One aspect that South Africa must work on is their attitude. Some individuals often exuded the impression that they were not embracing the challenge of representing their nation. England look like they are bursting out of their skins and will do anything for their teammates. Except Stuart, broadly speaking.

9.58am. A couple of hussies combine superbly to give Australia hope with an entertaining twosome as the innings reaches its climax. They add 47 off 22 balls.

Watching the game this morning, and I know things are going their way, but I like the way Collingwood is supportive, relaxed and calm. A captain's game demeanour is crucial. Another stark difference from SA.

10.02am. Australia end up at 147 for 6 after being 8 for 3 at one stage. Good recovery. KP will be key - and pressurised. He generally enjoys that. He will counter attack.

Game on if Australia pick up wickets early.

10.22am. A couple of South Africans stride out to open the innings.

10.29am. England suffer their first wicket as they lose a sacrificial Lumb.

10.31am. Another South African walks out to bat at three.

So here's my summary of what the South African brains trust now need to do. It is time for retrospection and mature heads are needed. A determined, hungry culture needs to be introduced that once and for all banishes any thoughts of inflexibility or siege mentality.

10.36am. A ludicrous sightscreen interruption infuriates me, and millions others. This can't happen on this stage.

10.47am. Play finally resumes. A bloke from Pietermaritzburg and a kid from Johannesburg stamp some authority with a sprinkling of superb boundaries.

From this moment forward South Africa must nurture and select players who will represent their country with enormous pride and who will always endeavour to express themselves in this format. Young, energetic cricketers who have no fear of failure and possess belief do wonders for a cricketing unit attempting to regain respect.

11.06am. Watson into the attack and it's all looking elementary for England.

Smith as captain still has a major role to play.

11.24am. Pietersen is in remarkable nick.

11.38am. Kieswetter astonishingly plays no shot and allows his furniture to be rearranged by Johnson. The damage is done though as KP & CK added 111 off only 68 balls.

The game face of South African cricket must change.

11.51am. England win by seven wickets in spectacular fashion and it is a victory that is thoroughly deserved. Australia were outthought, outplayed and outta here!

It is their first World Title. Crack open the champagne and savour the moment. Barbados, stock up the rum shops! It’s time for a party!

The self belief and desire that England have displayed throughout this entire tournament is admirable. South Africa need to strive to replicate that in the future.

Therein lies the challenge.