Playing against England is a “test for a young bowler, they will learn from this,” said Proteas bowling coach, Charl Langeveldt, who is optimistic about the Proteas’ bowlers ahead ODI series, writes Aditya Metha.

Because it is played “over a longer period, you can settle into a rhythm,” said Langeveldt.

With the adjustment from T20 to ODI cricket being about the “volume of bowling and a shift from high-intensity,” the acclimatization will be “mental as well.” 

The Proteas would benefit from having a sixth bowling option, and the management is looking to Andile Phehlukwayo “if he is fit.” Given the quick turnaround from the T20 to ODI series, which Head Coach, Mark Boucher felt should have been longer, Langeveldt said, “We need to be clever. Future tours may have a quicker turnaround.”

Reflecting on the Proteas bowlers’ performances in the recently-concluded T20 series against England, Langeveldt said, “Most bowlers have been playing four-day (cricket).” Ideally, “we would have liked to play the two warm-up games” because “we can train in the nets,” but it is hard to replicate “match intensity.” 

After Lutho Sipamla was at the receiving end of a stunning assault launched by Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan, Langeveldt extended his sympathies because Sipamla had not played competitive cricket coming into the series and “it’s hard when you’re put under pressure.”

Responding to observations that none of the senior Proteas players went to have a word with Sipamla when Buttler and Malan were going after him, Langeveldt clarified, “We try to get the team to rally around him. It’s something we speak about a lot.” 

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix