A choker in any sports occurs when a team fritters away a winning game with no specific reason. This tag has been allotted to prominent cricket teams like South Africa, New Zealand and England because of their unexpected performances during the matches especially in World Cups (WC) of International Cricket Council (ICC).

South Africa (SA)

The word ‘choker’ was attributed to South Africa in 1999 ICC World Cup semifinal. Later, this word penetrated in the roots of South African team like a Sword of Damocles.

1992 World Cup Semi-Final South Africa v England, Sydney

South Africa first appeared in World Cup of 1992 that was held in Sydney. The team was enthusiastic and was not a holder of choker title at that time. South Africa played semi-final with England but unfortunately lost the match by scoring 232. The pre-Duckworth/Lewis rain rule became the cause of their defeat as South Africa was all set to chase the target of 253. The rain rule deducted the two least productive overs of opposition from the target leaving 21 from only one ball. Moreover, the World Cup was won by Pakistan.

1996 World Cup, Quarter-Final South Africa v West Indies, Karachi

South Africa was considered to be the best team in the tournament but the exclusion of Allan Donald in third quarter-final against West Indies halted South Africa’s victory. Further, Brian Lara's brilliant century took the game away, despite the fact that South Africa was among the favorite teams. The target of 264 runs on 50 overs was to be chased by the SA team; however, it scored 245 all out in that match. Moreover, Sri Lanka won the world cup title in 1996.

1999 World Cup, Semi-Final SA v Australia, Edgbaston

South Africa would ‘choke’ once more after reaching the semi-finals of the tournament. Herschelle Gibba dropped a crucial catch allowing Australians to score. South African chase however, was up to the mark with Klusner leading them until the last over. A mix-up by tail ender Allan Donald led to a surprising defeat. The word ‘choke’ churned out of the press at this instance for South Africa, first time in the history.

2003 World Cup, group match South Africa v Sri Lanka, Durban

Another rain-interrupted game saw Mark Boucher block out what turned out to be the final ball thinking the hosts were ahead on Duckworth/Lewis calculations. Instead, the teams were tied, Boucher the victim of an incorrect message from the Proteas dressing room. The WC of 2003 was finally taken by Australia.

2007 World Cup, group match South Africa v Australia, St. Lucia

South Africa stepped into Semi-Final at St Lucia looking confident. South Africa was all out on 149 runs, leaving the target of 150 runs which was easily chased by Australia kicking out South Africa from the tournament. Australia again claimed the World Cup trophy by winning the tournament.

2011 World Cup, Quarter-Final South Africa v New Zealand, Dhaka

This time the marks of previous unfortunate clash came to haunt the South Africa team as Graeme Smith took over team’s charge but buckled under the pressure to chase 222 runs scored by New Zealand team. South Africa lost eight wickets in succession that resulted in an embarrassing defeat. India won the final match and snatched the title of World Cup champions in 2011

New Zealand

New Zealand stands at second position in choking the matches at eleventh hour. New Zealand team has started appearing in World Cup in 1975 whereas no World Cup has been taken to the country by New Zealand team.

1975 World Cup, Semi-Final New Zealand v West Indies, London

The performance of New Zealand team during 1975 World Cup was considered to be excellent in the start but later with the defeat of New Zealand in semi-final against West Indies, the predictions of winning the World Cup by New Zealand went in vain. Total target of 160 was given to the New Zealand team by West Indies.

1979 World Cup, Semi-Final New Zealand v England, Manchester

Again in 1979 World Cup, New Zealand team however, managed to play semi-final against England but maintained their choking by losing the match by 9 runs only. England batted first and set the target of 221 chasing to which, New Zealand got all out on 212 runs.

1992 World Cup, Semi-Final New Zealand v Pakistan, Auckland

New Zealand has always ensured a place in semi-final on one hand but has failed to progress onto the finals. It maintained the bad luck as Pakistan won the semi-final match of 1992 by 4 wickets leaving New Zealand hopeless.

1999 World Cup, Semi-Final New Zealand v Pakistan, Manchester

The semi-final of 1999 World Cup was played between Pakistan and New Zealand in which Pakistan team earned the victory by 9 wickets. New Zealand started the batting and scored 214 runs making it easy for Pakistani team to chase this target. Saeed Anwar’s century put Pakistan in a commanding position. This match showed choking of New Zealand a crucial juncture.

2007 World Cup, semi-final New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Kingston

Furthermore in 2007 World Cup, New Zealand played its semi-final against the blue shirts Sri Lanka. This match announced a defeat for New Zealand as Sri Lanka team set the target of 289, in reply to which, New Zealand team got all out on 208 runs. The difference of 81 runs became the success of Sri Lanka qualifying for final.

2011 World Cup, semi-final New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Colombo

This time in 2011, again New Zealand encountered with Sri Lanka in semi-final whereas the Sri Lankan brushed past New Zealand by 5 wickets. Total target of 218 was set by New Zealand in 48.5 overs which was easily chased by Sri Lankan team who scored 220 runs in reply.

England

Just like South Africa, England had also squandered away their winning matches showing the deservedness of choker tag as South Africa have been maintaining since years. Talking about ICC World Cup, England team is a part of ICC World Cup since 1975.

1979 World Cup, Final England v WI, London

In the World Cup of 1979, the final match was played between West Indies and England in which the team England faced defeat as IVA Richard of West Indies smacked 138 runs whereas England team lost while chasing the target of 267 and scored only 194 runs. The team of West Indies won the entire series and took World Cup to the home.

1987 World Cup, Final England v Australia, Calcutta

England played final match of World Cup 1987 with Australia to chase the total score of 253 which was set by Australia. The game was going good for England but suddenly a reverse sweep by Mike Gatting against Alan Border became the cause of England’s defeat with the minor margin of seven runs.

1992 World Cup, Final England v Pakistan, Melbourne Cricket Ground

In the final of 1992 World Cup, the Pakistan team made a challenging score of 249 whereas England fell short by 22 runs despite Neil Fairbrother's 62. Moreover, the performance of England during World Cups was also questionable as they have also choked in different matches.