Symcox shifts 'chokers' tag on Australia before crucial tie

Sydney, Mar 22 (UNI) Heading into the much-anticipated match between South Africa and Australia, former South Africa off-spinner Pat Symcox has joined in the World Cup mind games by claiming it is Australia who carry the ''choker''tag and not the regning World Champions.

South Africa and Australia play each other on Saturday in the last league match in Group A. The winner of the tie will carry forward two cruicial points over the other team going into the Super Eights.

''The 'chokers' tag applies to many teams against Australia, but one wonders if that tag is not attached to Ricky Ponting's team,'' Symcox said.

''If you looked at how Australia performed against England two years ago in losing the Ashes, then at home in an important time in the Commonwealth Bank series, and then again in New Zealand, maybe that tag has been shifted a bit from South Africa. (Australia) have lost some important games at home to England. It will be interesting to see what happens against South Africa,'' Symcox was quoted as saying to 'The Australian'.

The Proteas' temperament in pressure matches has been questioned relentlessly in the past, especially after South Africa's famous tie agianst Australia in the 1999 semi-finals which paved the way for Steve Waugh-led Australia to progress in to the semi-finals.

However, Symcox thinks this time the Kangaroos might wilt under pressure in the mouth-watering contest.

While the likes of former Test greats Allan Border and Allan Donald have branded the Proteas chokers, Symcox has turned the focus on to the Australians.

Shaun Tait and Nathan Bracken are expected to be the men Ponting puts his trust in at the end of the innings but Symcox has this to say about their bowling attack----''I look at the Australian bowling and I think it could just be a bit brittle from an experience point of view,'' Symcox said.

''If it goes down to the wire, and you've got Nathan Bracken to bowl your important overs, I am not sure whether they have got that kind of experience.

''There is going to be a lot of pressure on their bowlers,'' he added.

Both teams won their matches convincingly agianst the other teams in Pool A ---- Scotland and The Nertherlands.

UNI