We’ve finally found the missing pieces to the Proteas puzzle as we prepare for the T20 World Cup in Australia, writes Mogammad Allie.
In every major tournament, we as the Proteas somehow find a way to underachieve. Sometimes our confidence is more obvious but with the T20 World Cup in Australia coming up starting November this year, I believe, we can quietly go in as dark horses and, finally, go all the way.
Choke.
There, I said it. Let’s just get it out the way.
Yes, the Proteas are notorious for it and it’s time we stop running from it. As fans, we see the strain the team gets when they are under pressure situations. We literally see it in the faces of the players, but more importantly in their performances. It doesn’t allow us to perform freely, which in the short format of the game, is imperative.
With Mark Boucher and his deputies at the helm, I believe the Proteas have all the necessary weaponry to march to victory Down Under. The coaching staff is laden with experience. They’ve been there and done that.
Boucher was known throughout his career as the gutsiest cricketer to play for South Africa. His grit and determination is the ingredient that has long been lacking in the Proteas cricketing recipe. His dogged approach can be encompassed by the winning four he hit in perhaps the most famous non-major cricketing match of all time, known today as the “438 game”.
With his capable deputy Enoch Nkwe, who led the Highveld Lions into domination of domestic cricket; his batting coach Jacques Kallis who, other than being the greatest ever cricketer to come from these shores, also has a wealth of coaching experience in the IPL; and his bowling coach Charl Langeveldt, who was one of our best death bowlers and exponent of the yorker in South African cricket; Boucher couldn’t have a more A-list support staff.
The team itself will require some tweaking here and there but there is a definite spine of experienced players which the rest of the team can be built around.
At the top of the order, we have Quinton de Kock. Obviously. The man is world-class and no justification is needed for his position. Who his opening partner will be interesting.
Temba Bavuma, Reeza Hendricks, Janneman Malan and possibly Aiden Markram will all be vying for the honour of opening the Proteas innings. All three are capable of filling the role. But Bavuma doing very well in the recent series against England, for now, he gets the nod at the top of the order.
Coming in at 3 is Faf du Plessis, which may come as a slight surprise but when you remember what a good servant he’s been for Chennai in the IPL you’ll understand why. He also knows what it means to win a T20 series in Australia having done so in 2017. With Quinton de Kock likely to be named as the new T20 skipper, Faf’s assistance will be vital for an easy transition for the Proteas glove-man.
We’ll come back to number 4 in a bit.
Number five is still very much up for grabs. It may come down to David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen. Miller has been in the white ball set up for a long time. When he’s good he’s a smooth-striking southpaw akin to Rocky Balboa.
However, unlike Rocky, he sometimes lacks the fight and this is evident in the fact that he’s yet to reach the heights his talents suggest. What gives him an edge over his rivals is that he’s played in the Big Bash and that’s where the T20 World Cup will be held.
Unlike Miller, Rassie took the long dirt road to international cricket and it shows in his batting. As soon as he arrived on the big stage he immediately looked at home. He may not be a lefty but he personifies all of that which Rocky is about. He’s a reliable soldier who plays the game honestly and hard.
His adaptability ensures that he can bat up top on the front lines or down in the trenches. It is for this reason that he is tailored to drop a few spots down and become the finisher the Proteas have needed for years.
There are a few other possible suitors for the middle order including Heinrich Klaasen, Pite van Biljon and Kyle Verreynne, all of whom happen to be glovemen. Perhaps having one of them take over the keeping duties will allow de Kock to focus more of his energy on leading the team.
Numbers 6 and 7 is a tussle between 4 players. Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Jon-Jon Smuts and Chris Morris. It’s very important to the balance of the team that there are six bowling options which mean at least two all-rounders. Each player has their respective qualities and besides Smuts being a spinner there is very little to separate their talents, it may simply come down to form.
Our bowling contingency for white-ball cricket is in good shape. Spearheading the attack will, of course, be Kagiso Rabada. He is followed quickly by Dale Steyn, who has shown that he still has the knack of picking up wickets and his wealth of experience and variation will be vital.
Lungi Ngidi’s last-over heroics against England in which he managed to defend just 6 runs outlined his credentials as a death bowler, and his experience in the IPL gives him the edge over Anrich Nortje and Beuran Hendricks.
Lastly, but most definitely not least we come to our spinners.
Finally, our spin attack doesn’t look laughable and I can safely say that the dark days of Graeme Smith being our frontline spinner are all and truly over. Tabraiz Shamsi and Bjorn Fortuin are our two spinners of the future in limited-over cricket.
Shamsi is more of a wicket-taker but Fortuin is a handy batsman, a far-better fielder and most importantly can bowl in the power play. Depending on the surface Fortuin can also fulfil the aforementioned all-rounder role.
One of these to must accompany veteran Imran Tahir. Yet to retire from T20 cricket he will be vital to the Proteas’ hopes Down Under. He’s been the go-to bowler in recent years and has a nose for wickets, followed promptly by his famous celebration. Being dismissed by him isn’t the worst thing because as you trudge off the field there is little to no attention in the batsman which is ideal after going out.
And finally, we come back to who will fill No 4 in the Proteas line-up.
It will come as no surprise that this person will be AB de Villiers. He has talked for many years about bringing a world trophy home which the South African fans have been yearning for. For a few years now he’s been a T20 mercenary, including a recent stint in the Big Bash, and will inject plenty of fear factor into the batting line up.
His return is yet to officially be confirmed but as soon as Boucher was elected, the likelihood of seeing the prodigal son back in green and gold once again was more likely than not.
With Graeme Smith in charge, Boucher and Kallis coaching and AB back in the team one can say that the ‘clique’ is back together.
Whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing is a whole other matter entirely.
The Proteas have all the ingredients to ensure we can dish out our best Down Under later this year.
It’s just whether the men in charge choose the right recipe to lead us to the victory we so desperately long for.
With some added extra flavour to the upcoming white-ball encounters with Australia, India and the Windies.
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Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
