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Much has been spoken about the Proteas top-6 batsmen, and what they provide in giving the South Africans a chance at World Cup glory. This is the first World Cup that South Africa have come into without any expectation on their shoulders – and the batsmen have flourished.
In their last five innings, the Proteas have notched up 1808 runs at an average of 361, in which they have won all five games, including surpassing 400 on two occasions. But it has been felt that the wink link in the Proteas arsenal was the bowling attack.
Despite Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen seemed to be struggling in the absence of Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala, but the bowlers adapted quickly to the conditions in Lucknow as the Proteas thumped Australia by 134 runs to make it two wins from two in the 2023 World Cup.
Having being asked to bat first, South Africa notched up 311 for seven with Quinton de Kock notching up another century, following on from his 100 against Sri Lanka in their opening game. De Kock’s 109 from 106 balls was complemented by Temba Bavuma (35) in an opening stand of 108 which laid the foundation they so thrive on.
Aiden Markram scored briskly again, scoring 56 from 44 balls after his record century against Sri Lanka while some late fireworks from Jansen (26), who struck three boundaries and a six from 22 balls, allowed the Proteas to surpass the 300-run mark.
This was always seen as a difficult game for the Proteas but they produced a stellar performance with both bat and ball to go top of the log after two rounds.
Jansen (2-54) and Ngidi (1-18) were excellent up front, and along with Rabada (3-33), reduced Australia to 50 for three after 10 overs. Keshav Maharaj (2-30) then got in on the act as Australia slumped to 70 for six before Marnus Labuschagne (46) and Mitchell Starc (27) put the brakes on the wicket-tumbling with a seventh-wicket stand of 69.
Jansen and Maharaj then cleaned up the pair and despite a late onslaught from captain Pat Cummins (22), Tabraiz Shamsi then claimed his first-ever World Cup wickets, having Cummins caught by David Miller on the long-off fence and then Josh Hazlewood caught in the covers to end the match.
If the bowlers can continue on this path, and provide the perfect support for their batsmen, then the South African outfit, led by that ever-present short-format guru, Rob Walter, will no doubt be eyeing out their first World Cup final – and dare I say it – victory.
But their is a long road to travel still, with the Proteas facing off against the Netherlands, England Bangladesh in their next three games. The Proteas will be looking for victories in all three of those matches before they come up against surprise package, Pakistan, hosts India and New Zealand, who thumped current world champions, England by nine wickets in their opening game.
Having no expectation for the Proteas in this event, makes the watching that much easier, don’t you think?
