Good to Great Team

The world's history is full of instances when the human spirit has surmounted the seemingly impossible obstacle, against all odds. Those instances when a rational mind was persecuted, leaving it with no option, but to salute the human spirit. Many people, including myself, witnessed one of such 'great triumphs' yesterday. I am referring to the unbelievable victory of the South African cricket team against Australia.
South Africa were set an impossible target of 434 to chase to win. Chase the South Africans did. And what a fantastic chase that was!
If statistics in cricket is to be believed, there was no way that anyone could imagine that South Africa would successfully surpass the total. Even the superior-most of the cricket mind would deny it upfront. That was exactly the commentators did, in the beginning.
But South Africans had different mindset. Led by Greame Smith, one of the best captains in the world (at least I believe that he is the best at present), S. African batsmen looked very confident. There was an undeterred determination in their face, especially on that of Smith and Gibbs. Smith played a captain's knock, and Gibbs laid the foundation for victory. Giving nothing away, South Africa won, and on the way, created many records. Records that one could only imagine, until yesterday.
That they had a great team, is undeniably true. But lets go a few years back. It was 1999, and they literally 'gave away' the game to Australia in semis. That team, too was a world-class team. Then they lost out in first round of 2003 world cup. That too, was a competitive team. So in that perspective, what makes yesterday's victory so special?
The reason is, the South African team has just witnessed the transition from a good to on-the-track-to-become-great team. I am not saying good to great team, because it is far from that. Yet, the victory is a result of three years of turmoil, a result that needs many factors to be brought together.
Now, it's just one win. If they can continue this consistently, then there is no stopping to where they can go.
One factor, I am afraid, can come in their way to becoming the invincible team. The same fact, that brought them till here, may be the reason for their could-be-debacle. Greame Smith, in my opinion, has a long way to go to become a successful leader. He has shown the much-needed aggression, but not the kind of qualities that make leaders of a good-to-great team. Namely, patience, a bit of humility, and a bit of generosity.
For now, they seem to be on track. My hearty congratulations to them.
Finally, I think they, especially Gibbs found the second wind on their way to victory. We could see that determination on their faces right from the beginning of their innings.
Well done South Africa!!