As we approach the Cricket World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand from 14 February 2015, we wonder if South African cricket fans will have reason to celebrate with their beloved Proteas after the final on 29 March?
The Proteas squad:
AB de Villiers (captain), Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw and Dale Steyn.
Unfortunately for the Proteas team, unless they carry the Cricket World Cup back with them on the airplane, they will again be labeled as “chokers”, a label which this particular scribe detests. Losing is one thing, choking is another entirely.
If we take a look at the South African batting line-up, few can argue that there is enough quality to compete with the best in the world. AB de Villiers averages 51.5 with the bat, at a strike rate of 95.9 and improving. The man originally thought to be unsuitable for ODI’s, Hashim Amla, averages 53.18 at a strike rate of 88.42. Young wicketkeeper/batsman Quinton de Kock has formed a very effective opening partnership with Amla. The precociously talented youngster already averages 43.6 with the bat, at a strike rate of 88.4. De Kock’s participation in the Cricket World Cup is under threat due to the ankle ligament injury he suffered warming up before day 3 of the recent Test at Centurion Park against the West Indies. It appears as if he will be ready and fit the tournament and the Proteas selectors have included him in their World Cup Squad. The Proteas are lucky that they have a ready replacement in AB de Villiers to take the wicket keeping gloves, but is there enough batting depth to cover for the loss of De Kock? I personally don’t see a suitable batting replacement in the rest of the squad, so the Proteas are probably holding their thumbs and toes that his recuperation proceeds as planned.
Supporting Amla, De Villiers and De Kock will be the likes of Faf du Plessis, who has an average of 34.4 at a strike rate of 84, which is not reflective of his talent. Others supporting the top order are David Miller and JP Duminy. Both are respected cricketers who have done well over the last 18 months, which have made them permanent fixtures in the squad. Both have performed the finisher role for the Proteas in ODI’s before.
If we assume that De Kock is ready for the Cricket World Cup, coach Russel Domingo will have a lot to consider regarding the batting order. De Villiers very often enters the contest too late and he may have to consider a remedy to that. However, the same could be said of most of the Proteas batsmen, which is a great position to be in and South Africa would back themselves to chase down any target.
Moving on to the bowling attack and it feels a bit strange to make the statement that this could be the facet of play that the Proteas would need to focus on most during the tournament, as bowling has generally been the South African’s strong point since re-admission. Dale Steyn will be there and will be a significant threat. Morne Morkel will enjoy the fast and bouncy Australian pitches, but not necessarily the slower pitches in New Zealand. Vernon Philander is still finding his way in ODI’s, but it is difficult to argue against an economy rate of 4.41 and a strike rate of 23.66. An injury to any one of this fast bowling trio would be a serious concern though.
It is when we move on from the top three that the picture becomes less clear. There are twenty overs to be bowled, but the question is… by who? The retirement of the great Jacques Kallis has obviously left a void that will not be filled easily. JP Duminy will provide a couple of overs of tidy off spin, but it must be remembered that he is still developing as a bowler and is susceptible to being targeted. He is also on the comeback trail after a knee injury. Imran Tahir has proven to be a very effective One Day International bowler, but the concern around him is that he has not presented that wicket taking threat in the middle overs in Australia as he does elsewhere. The Indian and Australian teams have also never really had a big problem with him and they are looking be the two biggest threats to the Proteas title aspirations. Aaron Phangiso will provide tidy backup in the spin department with his left arm spin, but has only just returned from injury himself and has little experience. Kyle Abbot has been included in the World Cup squad as well. He is very inexperienced in ODI terms (9 games) but appears to have some ability bowling at the end of the innings. The fact that Charl Langeveld (a legendary “death” bowler in South Africa) has been brought in as a bowling consultant could mean that Abbott can become a secret weapon during the Cricket World Cup.
Taking a look at the overall balance of this side though, it would be difficult to bet against them going all the way and lifting the Cricket World Cup. The top order is filled with attacking stroke players capable of chasing down most targets and there is enough threat in their bowling attack to ensure that strong batting sides don’t easily get away from them.
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