South Africa’s demolition of the West Indies and Ireland in consecutive matches has fans back home thinking that the path to World Cup glory is back on track after the debacle of the hammering the Proteas received at the hands of the Indians in Melbourne.
Kyle Abbott, 6 wickets in 2 games and economy of less than 4!
South Africa made some changes as JP Duminy and Vernon Philander (both injured) were replaced by Rilee Rossouw and Kyle Abbott while Wayne Parnell was dropped for Farhaan Behardien. And what a difference these changes made as South Africa romped to a 257-run win over the West Indies.
There was big talk before the match as Chris Gayle had just smashed 215 against Zimbabwe in their previous match but it was AB de Villiers who yet again defied normality and pounded the fastest 150 in ODI history. But it was not the batting department that had tongues wagging in the defeat against India – it was the bowling!
The Proteas, spearheaded by Abbott, rattled through the Caribbean line-up like a hot knife through butter as the West Indies were dismantled for 151. Abbott dismissed Gayle and Marlon Samuels in successive overs up-front before Imran Tahir exploded! Tahir grabbed 5 wickets in 10 overs as the Windies collapsed from 52-3 to 108-8 before Morne Mokel and Dale Steyn completed the demolition job.
Then the South Africans had a tricky venture against the Irish, who had won 2 from 2 and were playing some good cricket. But Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis posted 247 runs for the 2nd wicket which formed the base of their 411-run total. Rossouw and David Miller then smashed 111 runs in 8.3 overs to push the Proteas over the 400-run mark for the second consecutive match.
Abbott was again at his best, picking up 4-21 as SA cruised to a 201-run victory with Morkel (3-34) and Steyn (2-39) in support.
Misbah-ul-Haq, turned Pakistan around – leading from the front.
Next up for the perennial-chokers is Pakistan, who have turned their tournament around with two consecutive victories after a bad start. Pakistan were outplayed by India in their opening match by 76 runs and were then dismal in their 150-run defeat to the West Indies. But Misbah-ul-Haq has turned his charges around and guided them to victories over the smaller nations of Zimbabwe and the UAE.
The question being asked at the moment is: “Have the Proteas found the right mix moving forward?”
I think so – with perhaps just once change needed. And that is Behardien should drop out of the starting XI when Duminy returns from injury.
It would be very unfair – and not logical – on Abbott if he were dropped when Philander recovers from injury. Big Vern is not the same bowler in ODI’s as he is in Test matches while Abbott gives De Villiers and Russell Domingo a better death-bowling option.
Parnell should only return to the side if all the bowling options be injured – including Amla and Allan Donald! Parnell’s lack of desire and maturity have cost SA many games in the past. Yes he has also won a few but his lack of consistency does not warrant a place in the echelon of International cricket.
Rilee Rossouw – the new innings finisher!
Rossouw’s elevation to the starting XI at the expense of the injured Duminy has breathed some fresh air into the latter stages of the innings. The left-handed Rossouw has played twice, scoring 61 off 39 balls against the West Indies and then 61 not out off 30 balls against Ireland, something which Behardien has been incapable of doing.
Barring any major catastrophes to the current playing 11 or 12, I think South Africa have found the right combinations from the current squad of 15 to really have a go at winning the showpiece for the first time in their history and removing that heavy mantle that hangs round their necks like a rappers’ gold chain!
Brendon's Sporting Times 