The return of Wayne Parnell to the Proteas’ One-Day International (ODI) set-up in the West Indies has proved an inspired one, and South Africa’s selectors will be hoping the mercurial leftie kicks on over the next fortnight on the islands.
When he plays to his full potential, anything is possible in Wayne’s world.
South Africa’s spin department was lauded for exploiting the low and slow tracks in Guyana, but the 47-run win over Australia in midweek was as much to do with the new-ball pairing of Parnell and the evergreen Kagiso Rabada striking upfront.
Rabada helped himself to three wickets, but Parnell’s two were the really big scalps, as he removed the talismanic David Warner, as well as skipper Steve Smith.
Both were trapped leg-before, thanks to Parnell pushing the ball further forward.
As the Tri-Nation Series has now moved onto St Kitts, it is anticipated that the pacemen on display in the Caribbean will come to the party.
For the Proteas, the next week may be very revealing, as it should show just who they will go forward with as a pace combination.
Kyle Abbott played the opening game against West Indies, but then fell away for the following match.
In his absence, South Africa shifted to a spin-heavy attack, with Rabada and Parnell the preferred quicks.
The control that Parnell has shown may see him keep his place ahead of Abbott and veteran Morne Morkel, and the fact that he is regarded as a better batsman is handy.
South Africa went into Tuesday’s match against Australia with Aaron Phangiso as the number eight batsmen.
Determined
The gamble worked in that game, but it surely cannot be a regular feature. Phangiso dug in with a determined contribution, but survival will not be enough on pitches that will encourage strokes and lots of runs.
Harder, faster surfaces is what South Africa expect to be the norm for most of the year ahead, as they look to build towards their latest crack at an ICC title.
With that Champions Trophy in mind, the make-up of their lower-order needs to provide extra impetus, in case things go wrong in the middle.
In Parnell and Chris Morris, the Proteas have two bowlers who have shown an ability to play match-turning innings.
Morris has done it more often and more recently, but Parnell’s natural ability cannot hide forever on the international stage.
They both also appear to be mood players; if they are taking wickets and bowling quickly, the runs also seem to flow far easier off their willows.
A deep batting line-up is vital in any format, and the Proteas hierarchy may well be warming to the idea of recreating something like the good ol’ days of Messrs Pollock, Klusener and Boje punching above their weight down the order.
If they can also keep encouraging the breezy Rabada to work on his stroke-making – without compromising his bowling, mind – things start to appear a lot safer, especially when it comes to chasing down big targets.
Morris and Parnell certainly have the temperament, but their bowling consistency must come first.
In the bigger scheme of things, this Tri-Nation Series involving a West Indies side that won’t feature at next year’s Champions trophy may be seen by some as a fairly forgettable excursion, but if South Africa come back with a newly-constructed lower middle-order, the brains-trust will beg to strongly differ.
In time, they may say that the Caribbean was precisely where the stellar Wayne got his groove back.
– The Sunday Independent