Cape Town - Three can go into two. That was the verdict from Proteas captain Faf du Plessis about the ongoing conundrum around the Proteas’ top-order for the ICC World T20 in India.
Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock have seemingly been fighting for one spot alongside AB de Villiers as the opening batsmen in T20 cricket, with Du Plessis saying after the Wanderers clash against Australia that changing the plan to keep De Villiers at the top of the batting line-up “would obviously be a sign of panic”.
But Amla’s 97 not out off 62 balls (8x4, 4x6) in a losing cause at Newlands in the final T20I on Wednesday night may have altered the views of Du Plessis, coach Russell Domingo and the selectors.
The former Test skipper played some outstanding shots around the ground, and finished with a flourish by hitting two sixes in the final over of the innings. But the visitors chased the target of 179 for victory relatively comfortably in the end, with four wickets and four balls to spare to clinch the series 2-1.
Amla was given the Man of the Match award for his unbeaten 97, which is the highest individual total in a T20I at Newlands, and also the best score by a South African against Australia.
With De Villiers sitting out the series decider – “AB rested today, just to make sure his shoulder is better”, Du Plessis said – Amla took full advantage of the opportunity to play after spending time on the sidelines for the first two T20Is, while De Kock played some sparkling shots in his 25 off 13 balls.
The lack of runs from Rilee Rossouw remains a worry, as he reached just 16 off 21 balls. So the solution could see Rossouw losing his place, and De Villiers dropping down No 3 or 4, depending on whether Du Plessis is willing to give up his No 3 position.
Asked after the Newlands decider whether the Proteas are closer to knowing their best XI, and whether Amla and De Kock can play in the same team at the World T20, Du Plessis said: “Further away! No, it was always the plan to get everyone to play two games each in this series, and we managed to get most of that.
“AB rested today, just to make sure his shoulder is better, but for me, it’s just about form. It’s not about the players or positions – it’s about who is in the best form. And then you pick your positions.
“If the form allows it (both De Kock and Amla in the same team), yes. Obviously Hashim is in form, so you have to look at that. Quinny is playing well, and like I said before, if you find in your middle-order that there’s less form, then I suppose you’ve got to make a plan to fill that gap in the middle-order.
“So we’ve got two more games (warm-up matches), and form is everything for me. In a short World Cup like it is, you need to put someone in who is just going to be on top of his game. So, yes, there is space. In the next two games, we will see – I suppose – who is in the best form.”
Du Plessis felt that the Proteas were about 10-15 runs short with their score in 20 overs, and wanted a better acceleration from the middle overs before going all out at the death.
But the skipper acknowledged his failure to capitalise on an excellent powerplay by Amla and De Kock for the Proteas, as they shot up to 68/1 off six overs. Du Plessis, though, gave it away on four as he tried to force the pace and was outmanoeuvred by Shane Watson, whose slower ball deceived the batsman with the lack of pace, which resulted in a chip to short mid-on.
However, nearly 180, at night, was a good score to defend at Newlands. In fact, it is the highest run-chase at the ground in T20Is. But they were unable to do it, following on from the Wanderers showdown, where Australia chased down 205 for victory.
“I thought we were 10-15 runs short. When you do get a flying start, as a team, you are in a position to press a little bit harder. I pressed a lot quicker than I usually do, and after seven overs, it’s more of a ‘smart-play period’ where you set up the game for the death,” Du Plessis said.
“So I tried to take the game on, and we possibly lost 10 runs in that middle period. But that’s the learning we need to take. If we are in that position again, we can press a lot quicker.
“We batted well at the death again, but that’s probably the difference between winning and losing – that 10 runs in the middle.
“I was surprised by the way the wicket played. I thought typical Newlands wicket, might get a bit slow at night, which it didn’t. And that nullified a few of our plans.”
The Proteas will leave for India on Thursday for the ICC World T20, with a warm-up game coming up against the hosts on Saturday in Mumbai. It is followed by a final tune-up against a local side in the same city next week Tuesday before the tournament kicks off against England on March 18 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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