Lungani Zama
DURBAN: It was India whopromised to take their fielding up a notch during the T20 international series against the Proteas. But as they head into today’s third and final match in Kolkata, it is the South Africans who have made the biggest impression on the field, with sharp catching and dynamic ground fielding two of the big differences thus far.
“To be honest, in the build up to the series, we’ve been working really hard on our fielding,” David Miller told the media in Kolkata yesterday.
Miller is one of the Proteas’ key men on the park, turning twos into ones and half chances into wickets. Having seen their usual levels dip in recent months, Miller and Co have stepped it up and are happy with where they are.
“We pride ourselves in the field. It’s also about looking at the venue a day before the game which helps us find out from where it’s easy to throw. A lot of times in India, you can throw it to the keeper in one bounce because the grounds are hard.”
Miller was at it on Monday, brilliantly running out match centurion Rohit Sharma from point, to really put the Indians on the back foot in Cuttack. That, coupled with the earlier run out of Virat Kohli from a fine pick-up-and-throw from Chris Morris, ensured that the hosts never got going, and ultimately fell for just 92, their second-lowest T20I score ever.
“I picked up the ball and just tried to throw the stumps down,” Miller joked. “If it happens, it happens. I’ve not been hitting the stumps for a while, I kept on coming close. It’s nice to get a run-out and at that time, it was a big wicket. The little moments like that is what we need as a team.”
While fielding is a supporting role he thrives on, a decent knock out in the middle from Miller would not go amiss, as he looks to rediscover his best touch. A lot has been made in India about the fact that he has gone 15 innings without an international half-century, but the Dolphins star said he wasn’t too fazed by the numbers.
“I’ve hardly had a bat recently, because guys like JP (Duminy) have been in such good form. It would be nice to get a few overs to bat here, but as long as the team is doing well, I’m not too worried,” he said.
There are plenty in the Proteas middle order itching for a hit. Duminy, having seen the tourists home in the first two matches, may well want to continue his purple patch, but wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock may deputise for ODI skipper AB de Villiers at the top of the order, and even skipper Faf du Plessis may get a chance to rest his knee and open a slot for Khaya Zondo to make his debut.
Leg-spinner Eddie Leie may also get a look in, to replace Imran Tahir, with the long tour in mind. Miller explained that, despite the possible shake-up, taking a clean sweep in the series was a priority, especially at Eden Gardens which will also host the final of the World T20 next year.
“We are 2-0 up and are determined to make it 3-0,” he said. “Momentum and confidence is a big thing in international cricket.
“The series win is really big. We came here with a lot of expectation to do well, we have put a lot of pressure on ourselves to perform. India are an amazing T20 side with huge players. It gives us a lot of confidence moving forward coming close to the World Twenty20.”