So what was gained out of South Africa’s One-day International series win against New Zealand?
For one, it appears that, thankfully, none of South Africa’s big name players got injured. Faf du Plessis was given time off after damaging his knee before the T20s but none of Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers or Dale Steyn got hurt. That is important, given how dodgy some of the outfields were at grounds not accustomed to hosting cricket in August.
South Africa has a busy schedule over the coming months and the absence of Steyn, Amla or De Villiers would have had catastrophic consequences for the more important events on the horizon.
From a one-day perspective the benefits to the national side are harder to define. De Villiers tried by outlining the importance of a shift up the ODI rankings from fourth to third for the Proteas.
Kagiso Rabada was given another run after Bangladesh and shows he belongs, while Farhaan Behardien may just have given himself a longer stint in the national squad.
The jury remains out on David Wiese, while there may be concerns that Rilee Rossouw didn’t make sufficient use of the opportunity granted to him on account of Du Plessis’ enforced absence. David Miller, in the final ODI, showed he was capable of playing in a more responsible manner and given that he will be adopting a senior role over the next two years, that was an important step for him to take.
South Africa’s batting, with the exception of the second match in Potchefstroom, was okay. Thanks to their two senior pros – Amla and De Villiers – they posted substantial totals in the two matches the hosts won.
Those innings showed how experience was vital in assessing situations and conditions and manipulating your play to suit them. It was something South Africa failed to do in Potch, when Behardien’s knock provided respectability to what was otherwise a woeful effort.
The bowling too was just okay, without raising to any great heights. There was good intensity in the final match when Steyn was close to his best, while in Aaron Phangiso and especially Imran Tahir, South Africa possess two of the outstanding limited overs slow bowlers on the circuit at the moment.
The fielding was diabolical. De Villiers jokingly blamed playing in August for a series of mishaps that eventually totalled 16 missed catches across the T20s and ODIs.
“I was very surprised by all the catches that went down,” said De Villiers. “The fielding wasn’t great.
“I don’t mind, misfields or dropped catches, as long as we show the passion and intensity that the badge we wear on our chests deserves.”
Passion and intensity is one thing, but there is now clearly a lack of confidence permeating through the players too about the catching.
Errors such as those made against New Zealand cannot be afforded in India – South Africa’s next assignment – where pitches will be flatter and thus chances from opposing batsmen fewer.
De Villiers is eyeing up the next long term target for the Proteas in the 50-over format – the Champions Trophy in 2017 – and naturally is seeking greater consistency from the team ahead of that tournament.
“You would like to be in the top two in the world rankings ahead of the Champions Trophy. That shows that you are in form and confident. We know that if you are not in the top three or four teams heading into that competition you are playing really poorly and you will be seeing lots of changes (in personnel).
“That’s not something we want. We want an experienced and settled group to move forward come 2017,” said the South African one-day captain.
South Africa will head to India for a lengthy tour in the last week of September. The team will play three T20s, five ODIs and four Tests in a trip that spans 72 days.
Before the series against New Zealand, The Star identified three players for whom the series would be important. Today we look at how they progressed:
KYLE ABBOTT
Unfortunate to be stuck as back-up to some fine bowlers in the shape of Dale Steyn and Morné Morkel and then watching as Kagiso Rabada goes past him too. Still seems the most willing operator for South Africa in the ‘death’ overs and it was good to hear his optimism regarding his work in the nets bearing fruit sooner rather than later. Hardly lets the side down, a solid professional with whom the selectors are hopefully communicating clearly and honestly about where he stands.
DAVID WIESE
The abiding memory of his contribution will be the dropped catches – four of them at last count. Possibly as a result of trying too hard, Wiese made too many mistakes, illustrated by all the catches he missed. Is far from answering the question about the No7 all-rounder’s position and it will be interesting to see how patient the new selection panel will be with him. Does he get another chance in India?
FARHAAN BEHARDIEN
Starting to make an impression, which was crucial for him because the selectors would have been tempted to look elsewhere – someone younger for the long-term – had he failed. Behardien, always a smart player at domestic level, was finally able to transfer that cricket intellect to the highest level and his innings in Potch could be the makings of him. A very useful contributor with the ball, Behardien, as AB de Villiers mentioned in Durban, has plenty to offer the team and will be a solid squad member in the new season. - The Star