Canberra: Gary Kirsten believes the Proteas need not stress about identifying their best eleven for the World Cup right now.
The World Cup winning coach with India in 2011 feels there is still room for “exploration” in the coming months, but that the identity of who bats in the No 6 and 7 spots are crucial questions that need answering by the end of South Africa’s tour of Australasia.
The tourists arrived in Canberra late Monday night, and will have one training session at the Manuka Oval ahead of the third One-Day International against Australia tomorrow.
Although many felt this tour of New Zealand and Australia would be a sort of rubber-stamp for some players along with a confidence booster ahead of the World Cup, Kirsten explained there was nothing wrong with being patient about the make-up of the side ahead of the tournament.
South Africa’s first match is only on February 15, and between now and then there’s still a Test series, five ODIs and three T20s against the West Indies that must be negotiated – as well as the remainder of this series against Australia, which is currently locked at 1-1.
“The one thing about World Cups is that people say you have to be secure in your team and squad – that you should know who your eleven are. I don’t believe that,” said Kirsten. “I think things unfold very slowly in a World Cup and you find things out in the World Cup – we certainly did when I was with India.”
If South Africa were to reach the World Cup final in Melbourne they would have spent more than six weeks in Australasia. A lot can happen in that amount of time – from players getting injured, to others losing form, while some may even find form.
“We were far from blitzing,” Kirsten explained of India’s 2011 campaign, “we had three really good games, one of them, the quarter-final, we probably could have lost, but pulled through.”
“When you’re looking for that perfect combination, I don’t think you’re going to find it, it’s kind of who is firing, who is hot at the time.”
Right now, besides AB de Villiers, South Africa isn’t sure who is hot. However, where they do need clarity is over the No 6 and 7 spots.
Right now David Miller has that berth at No 6 in the order and there’ll be a lot of relief that he’s been able to record a half-century and a “not out” in the opening two matches against Australia.
What happens in the No 7 spot is a concern. South Africa have twice on this tour picked seven specialist batsmen in the starting eleven – in the second ODI in Mt. Maunganui against New Zealand AB de Villiers shared the fifth bowler ration with JP Duminy.
With Duminy absent for this series with Australia, his replacement Farhaan Behardien has suddenly thrown himself into the mix as a viable option for the World Cup squad on account of his bowling – which is very much is secondary trade.
There is another option to consider explained Kirsten. “Lengthen the batting order by having an all-rounder who comes in at No 3,” he said, something that worked with limited success at the Champions Trophy in England last year when Robin Peterson batted up the order.
Wayne Parnell was sent in at No 4 during the triangular series final against Australia in Zimbabwe earlier this year, offering an indication that the option is being considered for the World Cup.
As for his role, the former Proteas coach said he’d be working with the team throughout the South African season, focussing mainly on the one-day squad.
“My work is largely individualistic. I work one on one with the players and see where they are at,” he remarked.
“I’m there to touch base with the players and the leadership, to come as an outsider and facilitate some conversations,” the former opener added. - The Star