The Proteas’ pursuit for a World Cup trophy.
The Proteas’ build up to the 2023 ICC World Cup.
The Proteas’ pursuit of a World Cup resumes in 10 days. From the 5 th of October till the 19 th ofNovember, the South African Men’s cricket team will resume its pursuit of a World Cup. This is apursuit that has never ended well for the Proteas. A pursuit many South African fans seem to slowly be losing faith in. If it isn’t ending in a Duckworth Lewis method miscalculation, a mix up on the fieldbetween two batters or someone dropping the world cup, it is ending in multiple missed chances, selection blunders and rain. No matter what the reason has been, the story of South Africa and cricket world cups is yet to end well. The 2019 World Cup was probably the worst World Cup in the history of the Proteas. Well, at least, as far as I can remember.
In a changed world cup system where every team had to play each other once, the Proteas finished 7th out of 10 teams. For most parts of the tournament, the Proteas never looked capable of winning a single game even though they managed to win at least 3 games. 4 years later, one can only hope that the team will do much better at this world cup.
This year’s world cup is going to be different for some. There will only be one African country and the world cup will be without the entertainers of the cricket world, the West Indies, due to them failing to qualify after playing in the qualifiers. Zimbabwe also missed out on qualification.
The Protea’s build up or road to the world cup over the years has been pretty good. In the past, the team has always dominated most sides they have played against in the World Cup cycle and have always looked likethe side to beat. This time things have been very different. The Proteas looked like they would not qualify directly for the world cup at some point, sitting a few points outside the top 8. A change in coaching personnel seems to have brought a change in fortunes as well. Well, that was up until the Australians arrived in South Africa. The Proteas then suddenly went back to looking like a side incapable of winning a cricket match. That too on home soil. After being whitewashed in the T20I series, the Proteas were 2-0 in the One-day series (a series just before the World Cup). A lot was said, a lot of questions were asked. Temba Bavuma’s men were under the pump. Many South Africans were worried, rightfully so, I may add. I, for one, for some reason was not as bothered too much. I remember even saying this in an interview with Karabo Mokgalagadi on YouFM. I understood where the worry came from: South African cricket fans and followers were not used to the Proteas struggling like this before a world cup. However, I had put my supporter cap away for a minute and had my coaching cap on. I could see the vision from a coaching perspective. I could see what coach Rob Walter was trying to do. “Why is Anrich not playing?”, “Why is Lungi playing?”, “Why is Rassie dropped? “ . There were a lot of questions from many people. I could see that the plan was to try and give everyone a chance to spend some time in the middle. Of course, winning was still something the coaching staff wanted but, I too, would rather lose a series building up to world cup than win that series not knowing where my team is in terms of forms and balance I am sure Rob Walter and his team got more from this ODI series against Australia than any other Proteas side that dominated a series before a world cup ever got. One must also mention how sensational the bounce back from 2-0 to winning 3-2 was. It took me back to when we were 2-0 down against England at home after losing the test series. AB de Villiers had scored 3 ducks in a row in the test series and talks about him retiring had intensified. He came back in style and led us to a 3-2 series victory.
SIDENOTE – Seeing a team bounce back like we did is always great to see. However, it is something I have always complained about. We seem to be comfortable with being known as fighters, guys who bounce back in style but, cricket has moved on from that. Very often than not, the side that is aggressive and looking to dominate is the one that succeeds.
If the series against Australia is anything to go by, the Proteas will head into the World Cup knowing exactly where they are falling short and what they need to do fill whatever gap there is. With the squad already being finalised, they will need to use what they have to fill the gaps, if there are any. The loss of Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala to the squad will definitely leave a massive gap in the side as far as fast bowling variation is concerned. However, with the number of fast bowlers pickedin the squad, it should not be too difficult. The raw pace of Anrich, skill and accurate death bowling of Sisanda Magala would have come in handy. Lizaad Williams and Andile Phehlukwayo have been confirmed as replacements. One must give it to Rob and co, bringing in Andile as a “back up” and still giving him some game time was a smart move considering the fact that he heads into the world cup as a replacement but having played some international cricket.
Questions to answer ….?
The selection team and or coach have a few questions to answer heading into to the world cup.
1. Do we go with two spinners? This is something I feel strongly about. I believe white ball cricket is generally won by spinners or the slower bowlers with skill. You are either as quick as Anrich or have skill or simply a spinner.
2. Reeza vs Aiden? I have my doubts about whether or not Reeza should be in the squad based on his overall record. However, I do know what he can do when on song. Aiden currently edges him on form even though one may argue in Reeza’s case that he’s barely been given a rope in this format.
3. Do we start with Rassie? Based on his overall ODI record, this should not even be a question. However, his current record is worrying. The fact that a game either stops or slows whenever he comes into bat is another worrying factor. In 11 innings in 2023, Rassie has crossed 50 only twice. He averages 31.73 this year vs his overall average of 56.79.
It will be very crucial for the Proteas to get their combinations right at the world cup if they are to stand a chance. Many people have ruled them out which could be what they need.Very often the Proteas have gone into world cups as one of the favourites and that hasyielded no positive results. Maybe going into the World Cup as underdogs could work in their favour.
The Proteas’ world cup campaign begins officially on the 7th of October, against Sri Lanka.
The Squad
Fixtures
