Centurion – AB de Villiers is not one to mince his words and despite a relatively comfortable win for his side over New Zealand in the first Momentum ODI in Centurion last night, he bemoaned the apathy on display in the field.
South Africa won by 20 runs, but their first over in defence of a target of 305 summed up a disjointed performance from the hosts. Dale Steyn created three chances, but two – relatively simple catches – were missed before the third offered by Luke Ronchi was accepted by Hashim Amla at slip. “That summed up how lackadaisical we were in the field. The kind of intensity and the ‘Protea Fire’ we always talk about was lacking tonight, and that’s disappointing,” said De Villiers.
It was a performance that besides energy was also devoid of rhythm. Sure Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Imran Tahir bowled well, but the match had all the makings of an affair that has no baring for either side. No one will mind too much if they lose this series.
The newer players in the South African unit failed to shine at the first opportunity. Kagiso Rabada was patchy, while David Wiese had a nightmare in the field on debut dropping three catches and bowling poorly.
New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson felt his side had done well to stay in the game after South Africa had grabbed the initiative with Amla’s century after being sent in to bat. “It was a very good effort; first to keep them to 304, and then when we chased we were right in there. Unfortunately, we just weren’t able to get in front at any stage.”
De Villiers felt Amla’s 185-run second wicket partnership with Rilee Rossouw was instrumental in giving his side an advantage. “It was a match-winning partnership.”
Amla tied with Herschelle Gibbs for the most hundreds by a South African in ODIs, making his 21st century yesterday. It was a typically controlled effort, though it didn’t lack in aggression, as his innings contained three sixes to accompany the 13 fours he struck.
Amla’s innings was not only precious in terms of runs scored, but the speed at which he scored them as it helped off-set an unusually sedate performance from Rossouw, whose 89 came off 112 balls. The left-hander’s first 50 was scored off 81 balls as he struggled against New Zealand’s leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, but was also careful against the seam bowlers. It wasn’t a deliberate ploy, according to De Villiers. “He was told to play his natural game,” said the captain, “but he also played the situation as he saw it.”
It was an innings more typical of the man Rossouw replaced in the No 3 position, Faf du Plessis, who Cricket SA confirmed yesterday would need three weeks of rest to overcome an injured tendon in his left knee.
Whether Rossouw was struggling or not, the fact that he battled through was extremely important for his side and ultimately critical in deciding the game’s outcome. Both teams walked away from Centurion last night knowing there is lots of room for improvement. As a spectacle the match – outside of Amla’s innings – was a poor one.
Though both have played series recently – New Zealand in Zimbabwe and South Africa in Bangladesh – the players appeared to lack sharpness.
De Villiers was hopeful that South Africa would find some better rhythm in Potchefstroom on Sunday for the second. “Our skills with the ball were good, but our energy was lacking in the field as a unit. That will come with time. There are new faces who need to get used to how I captain and how we operate as a team.” - The Star