South African cricket is craving for a world-class all-rounder to step up and take the cricket world by storm, writes Khalid Mohidin.
Ben Stokes’ heroic performance reiterates the importance of having a World Class TRUE all-rounder in a starting XI.
Stokes pulled off one of the most sensational performances in Test cricket history in the third match of a thrilling Ashes series on Sunday.
WATCH: BEN STOKES STARS IN ASHES THRILLER
With Australia leading the Ashes 1-0 after two games, the third Test was crucial to England’s survival in the five-match series.
England was on 141-2 with a target of 359. This came after Australia scored 179, bowled England out for 67 and then scored 246 in their second innings.
What makes Stokes’ performance incredible is the way he coped with the pressure that he must have felt while being at the crease.
Despite wickets tumbling around him – 159-4, 245-5, 253-6, 261-7, 286-8. 286-9 – Stokes still managed to take his side over the line while his tail-end partner survived at the other end finishing the game on a 17-ball 1.
Not only did Stokes score 135 off 219 balls, he farmed the strike to score 74 runs off 45 balls that included seven 6s and four 4s.
“I just twanged my glute, was all right, just heavy-legged,” said Stokes after picking up his Man of the Match award.
“Adrenaline keeps you going, never until it’s over, that’s what I kept on thinking. The challenges you face at the highest level, there’s nothing better than being there at the end.
“Today has been incredible, still hasn’t quite sunk in yet. If it was going to take all day to get the runs, I was prepared to do that. When Leachy came in, I knew we had to go.
“They might be the most crucial balls he faces in his career, and for him to stand there and do that was amazing. [Celebration at the end] It was the best kiss I’ve ever had!”
These quotes express the fight, drive, winning mentality and incredible influence and belief Stokes instils in the rest of his teammates.
It’s easy for South African fans and selectors to say that all we need is to find an all-rounder like Stokes but is he just a rare luxury? or can he be moulded?
South Africa has produced a number of all-rounders at the domestic level, but they have been categorised into either bowling or batting all-rounder boxes.
Stokes picked up four wickets in the third Test and a match-winning century so he is clearly good enough to be picked on either discipline alone.
His performances, however, are characterised by two major influences – self-belief and an unbreakable never-say-die attitude – this mentality is what needs to be scouted for by the brains trust at Cricket South Africa, not just talent alone.
The question I’m going to throw out into the public is – which South African cricketer (at any level) is going to put their hand up and prove that they have what it takes to become the next World Class multi-format all-rounder?
Simply put – the one who is prepared to dedicate their lives to put in the hard work and sacrifice to allow their talent to blossom, not to just expect their talent to carry them through.
Photo: Mike Egerton/PA
