“Ireland outplayed us on the day,” conceded Proteas bowling coach, Charl Langeveldt, after Ireland won the second ODI against South Africa by 43 runs. 

Langeveldt said the bowlers got the game plans wrong and they were “trying too many things at the backend.” However, Langeveldt said, “We need to be able to chase 300 sometimes.” 

In addition to the political unrest in South Africa, Langeveldt attributed the team’s listless performance to bio-bubble fatigue. 

Langeveldt believes the management may need to be “giving fringe players a lot of opportunities” on tour because it is hard for bowlers to adapt from hard Test lengths to T20s to ODIs within such a short space of time. “We should be able to adapt, but it’s something as a management that we can improve. Fresh bowler, fresh mind.” 

One of the priorities of the bowling unit has been to take wickets up front so that the bowlers are targeting middle-order batsmen when the ball is softer. That will limit run-scoring at the backend, as opposed to having a set batsman ready to maximize the last few overs. 

While the bowling unit failed to fire on the day, Langeveldt said, “Cricket is played by 11 players.” The batting unit should be able to chase down big totals. 

The Proteas are likely to make a few changes ahead of the series decider. Langeveldt did not give away a lot of details, but he indicated that Lizaad Williams and Beuran Hendricks may get opportunities.