Proteas Talking Points – ODI and T20 v Pakistan

The Proteas have lost yet another home ODI series and this time against Pakistan and while there are caveats, including five players being unavailable for the last four matches due to their IPL commitments and injuries to Rassie Van Der Dussen for two T20s and captain Temba Bavuma for the entire T2o series, the losing streak is still a huge concern with World Cups being in the focus.

The ODI Series

Shamsi Under Pressure From Maharaj

Tabraiz Shamsi, judging by the ODI series, is under pressure to nail down his spot for the 2023 World Cup. He lacked any kind of rhythm or consistency in the two games he played. He seemed to be a man who was striving for that wonder ball rather than trying to be consistent in the longer format of white-ball cricket. While he has come out of the shadow of Imran Tahir, he will know that Keshav Maharaj is knocking on his shoulder for the number one spinner job in the country, having taken 3/45 in the one game of the series he did play.

Aiden Makram Form a Concern

Aiden is a quality cricketer, and he has found form in the Test format but for some reason has not transferred that into ODI cricket. When you have already picked Janneman Malan, Temba Bavuma and Quinton De Kock, then Aiden’s inclusion only complicates matters. He finished the series averaging just over 25, having already played 27 ODIs. It is a selection that I feel is based on what Boucher thinks of him rather than what he has produced in the format so far. Talent is there but talent only goes so far at this level.

Poor Death Bowling

The death bowling was poor throughout the series and the SA bowlers did not look as if they had a plan in place and when they did try to come up with one, they missed the mark by some distance. Conceding ninety-eight runs in the final ten overs of the penultimate ODI and ninety in the final ten overs of the deciding ODI was not good enough. They were without Rabada, Ngidi and Nortje for the final ODI but still, they had bowlers who have a fair amount of experience in the format. The lack of quality bowling at the death is a major concern going forward.

Rassie Is Quality

Rassie Van Der Dussen never quite gets the plaudits he deserves from the fans, but his place in the side now should be secure. His excellent hundred in the first ODI was his first for the Proteas in 48 innings, having played in all three formats. It was a real statement, as the Proteas were 55/4 at one stage. Rassie went about his innings in a calm manner, much as he has done his whole international career so far. He also made a blockbuster 60 off 37 in the 2nd ODI at a strike rate of 162.16, which was only bettered by David Miller as he helped SA win their only ODI of the series. He was in many ways the glue in the national side when others struggled and timed his performances to perfection.

T20 Series

George Linde is Gold Dust

George Linde’s performances for the Proteas show someone who has serious big match temperament. In a Proteas shirt he always manages to make something happen. Look no further than the 2nd T20 where he was asked to open the bowling to the in-form Mohammed Rizwan, who had dominated most of the SA bowling attack not just in SA but also in Pakistan. Linde bowled a nicely flighted ball with drift only for Rizwan to give him a return catch the very first ball of the innings. His 3/23 in 4 overs and 20 off 10 with the bat is a good indication of his abilities as a cricketer. SA need an all-rounder – well in George they have found one.

Sisanda Could Be the Ideal Death Bowler

Sisanda Magala has been spoken about a lot off the field and that talk was not much changed after his first over in the 2nd T20, consisting of twelve balls, went for 18. However, from then onwards he found his rhythm and went for 14 in his last three overs. What was most impressive from the back end of the 2nd T20 was his death bowling. SA needed a death bowler and Sisanda could be that guy, bowling his yorkers with regularity and slower balls that are equally impressive when he gets them right. The problem he has is inconsistency, bowling three no balls, two in consecutive deliveries in the penultimate over of the 4th T20 as he was defending sixteen off twelve balls to try to help SA tie the series.

Missing IPL Players

Losing seven players (five to the IPL), Bavuma injured and for the entirety of the T20 series plus Rassie for the first 2 ODIs was never going to be ideal and so it proved. While there were decent performances with the ball by Sisanda Magala and Lizaad Williams, the majority who replaced the seven who missed out struggled. While replacing Nortje, Rabada, Ngidi, Miller and De Kock was always going to make things difficult, it is perhaps a little disappointing the backup players did not put their hand up in a meaningful way, especially with a T20 World Cup just months away. However, at least now Boucher and co have a good idea of a variety of players’ abilities.

Phehlukwayo Lack of Bowling Tells a Story

Andile Phehlukwayo only bowling two overs in a possible twelve in the opening three games of the series is a hard one to explain away. I did suggest after the away series v Pak that Pretorius and Phehlukwayo in the same XI did not work but I was not expecting the latter not to bowl when the latter did not even get a game. All and sundry know that Phehlukwayo is a bowling all-rounder. I do wonder whether stand in captain Heinrich Klassen and/or coach Mark Boucher see him in the best XI? Klassen after the Proteas lost the third T20 by nine wickets said, “his confidence is a little low… “and “I had no need for him tonight.” That last line is quite a statement to make when you lose by nine wickets with two overs to go. The question remains, what to do with a talent like Phehlukwayo?

Playing Style

While plans are lacking in the other formats it is starting to look as if SA has a way it wants to play the T20 format and is sticking to it. The idea seems to be to go strong in the opening powerplay, build the innings in the middle overs with wickets in hand and unleash again in the final eight overs or so. Even though SA were missing quality players this looks like a solid blueprint for the World Cup. The difference between the two sides is small, so it seems a plan is in place for future success despite the odd team selection in the 4th T20.

Conclusion

The SA ODI and T20 sides seem to be at opposite ends of success right now. Still many questions need to be answered in the former with an unbalanced XI that is far too light in batting and execution of death bowling a major concern. Luckily, World Cup wise at least they still have two years to play with.

The T20 side meanwhile might have found a consistent way of playing and has, for the moment, backed it, despite being without several first-team players for this series. A couple of the new faces such as Sisanda Magala and Lizaad Williams stood up at times, which was good to see and Aiden Makram as an opener has now become a definite option for the World Cup towards the end of the year. While the South Africans may well not be amongst the favourites for the T20 World Cup, unlike the situation a few months back, they do look more and more like a dark horse especially when the IPL players return. Progress is being made with how the team wants to play and confidence is slowly coming back.