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Scyld Berry: Whose fault was it at Edgbaston?

Ian Chappell: With four balls to go, and a guy like Lance Klusener at the wicket, he's going to hit one of those balls for four. So I'd have thought they would have a discussion and say, 'Look, for three balls I'm going to blast off and if I haven't got one through then we'll have another discussion'. But it's so much easier afterwards than when your brain's going at a million miles an hour.

Barry Richards: It would have been easier for Klusener if South Africa had needed three runs to win not one, then he would've kept playing the same way.

Mike Atherton: I'm sure he was trying to - he took a big step away and swung.

Barry Richards: I think the ball before had frightened Allan Donald. If that hadn't happened South Africa would have won.

Ian Chappell: Even so, Klusener was run out by a mile if Mark Waugh's throw had hit.

Mike Atherton: But if South Africa's top order had batted better it would never have come down to that. All tournament they've been relying on Klusener, and here he's scored 31 off 14 balls to take them to the brink when nobody else would have got close.

Ian Chappell: Yes, I don't think it was Donald's fault or Klusener's fault, it was the top order's fault, especially as they got to 48 without loss. It's easy to say Donald should have been watching Klusener and not the ball, but when the ball's hit back at you, your instinct is to watch the ball and get back to your ground.

Mike Atherton: Somebody had to play a big innings.

Ian Chappell: If you're looking for an example of that you just have to do, go to the other semi-final the day before when Saeed Anwar was telling Wasti after every over, 'Be here, be here'.

Barry Richards: Herschelle Gibbs was bowled out by a ball that was too good for him, but Gary Kirsten had the experience to see it through.

Mike Atherton: He's the glue for them. Last summer their batting failed to gel because he didn't stick around.

Barry Richards: Before the game they had probably decided that they hadn't got enough off Warney at Headingley and this time he had to go for 45 not 30.

Angus Fraser: Klusener should have come in ahead of Shaun Pollock.

Barry Richards: South Africa didn't want Klusener to face Warney and thought Shaun was more likely to whack him for one good over.

Scyld Berry: Is there any justification for calling South Africa 'chokers'?

Ian Chappell: It's a word that should never have been used.

Barry Richards: It's a very emotive word and I think it's unfair. They get into more finals than anybody because they're so successful, and if you get into more finals, you lose more finals.

Ian Chappell: They didn't lose that game at Edgbaston.

Mike Atherton: It's not whether they choke or not, it's that the Australians think they do and therefore have an advantage psychologically.

Angus Fraser: It's always easier in the field - 11 against two.

Scyld Berry: Where do South Africa go now?

Barry Richards: It's going to be the loneliest trip home of all time and there'll be emotive talk for a while, but they'll be back.

Mike Atherton: The defeat against Zimbabwe cost them dear.

Angus Fraser: It cost me dear as well!

Ian Chappell: I think they've got to look at a new captain, probably Shaun Pollock.

Barry Richards: The South African psyche is a bit different, more conservative than the Australian. Hansie's the one who has brought them through the hard times.

Ian Chappell: He was probably the ideal man to lead them through the transition, but he's cost them a few victories now, like at Old Trafford against England last year. When that happens you've got to look elsewhere.