The quest for a 2nd U-19 title.
A look at the tri-series and overall preparation for the U19 World Cup.
Just less than 15 days before the start of the ICC U-19 world cup and the South Africa U-19 is hard at work in preparation for the tournament. Apart for the tour to Bangladesh, this Tri-series is the only series that this group has participated in. Well at least as a team because they all took part in the Khaya Majola Week in December. One wonders if this Tri-series alone preparation will be enough for the world cup. One thing about cricket, the gap between teams at Junior level is not as big as it is in senior cricket and that is what makes the U-19 world cup exciting.
SA U-19, India U-19 and Afghanistan U-19 are currently taking part in a tri-series, hosted by South Africa. The Indians have lived up to their reputation of being dominant at this level while the South Africans are yet to showcase their full potential. The Indians lead the table with a 100% record while the Saffas are rock bottom, with 0 wins from all their games. The tri-series has further emphasised the fact our struggles against spin may very well be more than a pandemic but a generational curse. It seems, every group of U-19 players seem to be struggling heavily against spin. This may very well explain our continued struggles against spin at senior level. This is where is starts and this is where we need to remedy first. As a coach myself, I believe our issues with spin are a topic on its own. A topic we ought to sit down and discuss extensively. It is alarming that even the next generation of batters, crumbles at the thought of facing the art of spin.
I have not been watching all the tri-series matches but, I have given myself time to watch dismissals of the South African team, thanks to PitchVIsion. I took time again yesterday to go through the same process. As I was watching, I could not help but realise that the boys’ struggles seemed more mental than a case of technique and skill. I have followed the players individually for a while now. As I was watching the dismissals, I picked that most if not all their wickets were due to poor execution, poor shot selection and others not fully committing to their selected shots. No disrespect to the Indian spinners, they are talented and skilful but, they barely need much skill to get wickets yesterday. My current biggest concern, however, is the fact that they boys could be in a place where even they are convinced, they cannot play spin. If they find themselves in that state of mind, it could get even worse for them. One hopes that the coach is having these conversations with them and reminding them of the importance of backing themselves and their skill. None of them is there for anything other than the fact that they are good enough.
The team has a number of questions to answer going into the tournament and how they answer those questions could determine how the team performs at the tournament.
So far, the middle order has been MIA and without the middle order firing, the team will struggle to score big or competitive totals.
The openers have been the biggest positive for the team so far. The combination of Stolk and Pretorius has been very good. However, they have not converted. If any of the openers can at least get a 100, it could put the team in even great position. Some pitches are not easy for two new batters coming in, so it helps whenever one of the openers bats through.
Playing against spin will have to improve. Strike rotation should be the first thing they want to look at. Trying to keep the scoreboard ticking through 1s and 2s as opposed to allowing the spinners to bowl at you and then trying to muscle the ball into another planet.
Batting with a game plan. The team at the moment bats like there is no game plan. It is like the boys are going out there to see what is going on and take it from there. Each batter needs to have a game plan and the batting unit as a whole needs to have a game plan.
Captaincy, Teeger has proven to be a capable caption however, his captaincy yesterday was a bit on the frustrating side. This is something that will need to change in order for the team to win. Better decisions need to be made on the field. He also needs to back every player in the side as captain. Give them confidence that he believes in them. Giving Ntando Soni only 3 overs in the game against India was worrying considering Soni’s recent form with the ball and the fact that he was the only other bowler after Kwena, who looked like he was troubling the batters.
The other big questions are one that the coach will answer. What will the XI look like?
My XI would probably look like this.
S Stolk
L Pretorius(wk.)
D Teeger(c)
R Seletswane
R Pillay
J James
D Marais
N Mokoena
S Potsane
K Maphaka
M Khumalo/N Soni
the quality of seamers in the squad makes it a bit tricky to choose just 3 so I will leave it to coach Mali.
Pretoria capitals talent scout and commentator, Werner Erasmus echoed some of my sentiments when I asked what he thought about thde SA U-19. He sai, “Steve Stolk and Lhuan-dre Pretorius have been head and shoulders above the rest of the batting line-up throughout. The middle order has been unable to form partnerships of any substance.”
The bowling hasn't looked threatening apart from the first match against Afghanistan where Martin Khumalo's 4-wicket haul kept them to a chase able score, that the SA U19s stuffed up despite a solid opening partnership of 51
The current series against India U-19 and Afghanistan U-19 is a great opportunity for the coaching staff and the team to polish up, find answers to the many questions that need answering in preparation for the world cup. This is the series where T’s get crossed and I’s dotted.