Proteas still carrying chokers' tag: Donald

Sydney, Mar 5 (UNI) Former fast bowler Allan Donald feels that South Africa are still carrying the choker's tag and are not among the favourites to win the World Cup as they are prone to ''stupid mistakes'' in crucial moments especially against Australia.

South Africa, who recently dethroned Australia as one-day leaders in the ICC chart, have been clubbed in the same group as the world champions and the two teams face each other on March 24 at St Kitts in the preliminary round.

''I think in big games, Australia are well ahead of South Africa,'' Donald told 'The Australian'.

''I think a big part of that is on numerous occasions we just couldn't finish it off in the big time. The Headingley match (in 1999) comes to mind, when Herschelle Gibbs dropped that catch (off Steve Waugh), and obviously the semi-final debacle.

''That is something South Africa will want to get rid of -- that fear of not succeeding in critical moments against top teams, especially Australia.

''I am worried about it. It's something hopefully South Africa will breach if they are to go a long way in this championship,'' said the 'white lightening.' The former quick says the Proteas have been guilty of ''arrogant mistakes'' and he is worried more are to come in the Caribbean.

''That's been the downfall of South Africa on many an occasion in top matches where they have played the better cricket and all of a sudden they have made stupid mistakes.

''I sometimes see that as arrogant mistakes where we think we have the game all sewn up and then have made the mistake which cost us the trophy,'' he said.

Donald, the first South African to claim 300 Test wickets, insisted the Proteas were not favourites to win the World Cup.

''Australia will go into it as favourites. I don't think South Africa can justify that because they don't have enough momentum or confidence going into the World Cup,'' he said.

UNI