Sydney – Having absorbed the “almost embarrassing” defeat in Melbourne, the plans to address their shortcomings take centre stage for South Africa here this week, with the balance of the side, and the form of some personnel under scrutiny.
On paper the XI that was thumped by India, looked to be the most balanced South Africa could muster with the squad they have at the World Cup. Sure they’re very keen on playing seven batsmen, but they also don’t seem confident about JP Duminy’s ability to bowl 10 overs. Those funky plans last year that involved AB de Villiers bowling a few overs seemed to have been shelved too, as has Faf du Plessis’ leg-spin.
Farhaan Behardien’s woes with bat and ball, made the selection of Wayne Parnell the right call on Sunday – the problem of course arose with Parnell’s dreadful performance that stood out amidst a generally poor showing from everyone – Imran Tahir being the exception.
Based on that performance Parnell should be dropped, but the injury concerns over Vernon Philander mean there is every chance Parnell could feature again on Friday against the West Indies at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Philander went for scans on his hamstrings yesterday and the results thereof will only be known this morning.
As infuriatingly inconsistent as he is, Parnell – as a result – is also capable of the wildly unpredictable. If Hashim Amla had held that chance offered by Shikhar Dhawan when he had 53 on Sunday, the boost it would have given Parnell, could have been exponential. Upon such fine lines does his confidence run. Of course Behardien remains an option, but the trouble is opposition teams will be lining him up and for all Parnell’s unpredictability, Behardien’s pace against World Cup batsmen will be of the candy to a baby variety.
He may offer greater surety with the bat – although he’s hardly displayed any form since his inclusion back in the side last November – but South Africa’s issues with the bat don’t concern the No.7 position at the moment.
It is further up the order that one must look particularly at the two openers. Amla and Quinton de Kock haven’t found their stride yet at this World Cup – partnerships of 10 and 11 with De Kock being dismissed in the fourth over against Zimbabwe and India – have put South Africa under immediate pressure. De Kock hasn’t been the same player since returning to the national side for the final ODI against the West Indies at the end of January.
It doesn’t appear that the ankle he injured last December is troubling him – his movement at training looks fine, as is the case when he’s been required to chase the ball in the field. Both of his dismissals have seen him caught at mid-off and in Sunday’s case it was noticeable how rooted he was to the crease.
De Kock is certainly no Fred Astaire in the initial stages of his innings, and opposing teams have discovered that. Worryingly, he’s looked very loose in both innings swinging at the ball and seemingly not taking the necessary time to properly assess conditions. How much longer do South Africa persist with him knowing that in the reserves sits Rilee Rossouw, whose recent body of work includes two centuries?
If De Kock fails again on Friday, and certainly if the mode of dismissal involves a loose drive, it’ll be hard to justify having him open against the Irish next Tuesday in Canberra.
Amla’s position is much more secure, but he needs to establish himself at this World Cup. In fact the same could be said for most of the leadership core of the South African team. Duminy’s century against Zimbabwe is the only significant contribution any of them have made at the tournament thusfar. South Africa will go nowhere at this World Cup while De Villiers, Du Plessis, Steyn, Amla and Morkel don’t fire.
Amla was certainly tied down by some clever bowling by the Indians at the MCG – they gave him no width and their lengths were especially good, just back of a full length, with the odd bouncer to keep the great man honest. In a typical display of generosity, Amla told De Villiers after the match that he felt India’s bowling was outstanding. That shouldn’t diminish his determination in wanting to make an impression on the tournament.
De Villiers talked with honesty and clarity on Sunday night – clearly angry in the immediate aftermath of a massive defeat and he will demand a response from his charges at the SCG on Friday.