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Over the last 30 years, South Africa have always been known to defend lower than expected totals as their batsmen flayed to 80 for five before posting modest totals of around 220 in the 50-over format. Mostly in part to middle-to-lower order batsmen like Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock and the like.
With spearheads like Makahaya Ntini, Allan Donald, Pollock and Dale Steyn, the Proteas were able to put their opponents under severe pressure and sneak victories where defeat seemed inevitable.
How the tables have turned! In a recent article published on Supersport.com (Top 6 key to Proteas World Cup glory), the Proteas have one of the best top 6 batsmen in world cricket and these individuals could provide the springboard for the Proteas to secure their first-ever World Cup triumph.
But it is their bowlers that could be their undoing in India. The Proteas amassed the highest World Cup total, posting 428-5 thanks to centuries from Quinton de Kock (100), Rassie van der Dussen (108) and a fastest World Cup century by Aiden Markram, who notched up his ton in only 49 balls before falling for 106.
Contributions from Heinrich Klaasen (32 from 20) and David Miller (39 not out from 21) helped the cause too. However, the bowlers need to come to the party as well. Yes, they bowled Sri Lanka out for 326, handing the Proteas a 102-run victory, large on the grander scale, but, had one of De Kock, Van der Dussen or Markram not come off, the result could have been in serious doubt.
We understand that the modern game has been altered with the advent and commercial success of the T20 format. Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj all went for over 6-runs to the over, while new boy Gerald Coetzee went for 7.55 runs to the over, despite picking up three wickets. And not to mention the tall left-arm seamer Marco Jansen going for over 9 to the over!
Sir Alex Fergusson, former Manchester United manager, once said, “As long as you score one more goal than the opposition, it doesn’t matter how many goals you concede.”
True in the face of cricketing terms, as long as you can score more runs than your opponent, you will always win the game. But, the only way you will strike fear into your opponents, is if your top 6 obliterate the opposing attack, and then your bowlers create a vacuum and suffocate the opposing batsmen..
People might say, “If we concede 350 runs every game but still win by 100 runs, then what’s your point? We still win!” My point is confidence.
If your bowlers are not able to curtail batsmen, bowl to a plan and strangle them into making mistakes, then there will come a time when your batsmen do fail, and you are out of the World Cup, like has happened before (Can the Proteas stop choking).
Jansen and Coetzee are both 23 and still “learning” their international trade – so to speak – and Rabada has had to shoulder a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. But, Ngidi needs to step up to the plate. His average over the last two years is around 36 – not good enough for a front-line bowler, while his strike-rate is around one wicket every six overs.
Maharaj’s stats against Sri Lanka does not bely his efforts. Over the last two years, the spinner has an economy rate of 4.8 but his improvement this year has been nothing short of remarkable.
Last year, he claimed just nine wickets at an average of 46, taking a wicket every 10 overs, while this year, his average is just 22 and striking every four and a half overs.
The alternative to Maharaj is Tabraiz Shamsi, who is averaging 25 this year and striking roughly the same as Maharaj. The problem is on the seamer front.
Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala were withdrawn from the squad due to injury and Andile Phehlukwayo does not inspire confidence at present. The allrounder is averaging around 37 over the last two years with an economy rate of around 6.5 runs to the over. With only nine wickets in the last two years – every five and a half overs – does not leave Temba Bavuma with much inspiration – not the Bavuma’s efforts with the bat of late has left fans with much inspiration.
The only other seamer in the squad is Lizaad Williams and the 30-year old has only played one ODI back in 2021 – against Ireland – in which he conceded 62 runs in 8 overs for just one wicket. Although we do know what he is capable of on the domestic front.
So the pressure is squarely on the batsmen – they are going to have to score a bucket-full of runs in every single game if the Proteas have any hope of lifting the World Cup – and their next assignment on Thursday, is against Australia.
The Proteas must harbour hopes of picking up a win, considering their recent come-from-behind series victory against Pat Cummins’ side. Although we all know how Australia have faired against the Proteas in World Cups – barring our opening match against them 1992 – but then again, we don’t have Donald and Kepler Wessels in this tournament!
