COACH BACKS GUTSY GRINDERS
THE THREE Tests between New Zealand and South Africa may be missing the explosive prowess of Martin Guptill and AB de Villiers, but there’s sufficient batting talent on both sides to illuminate a series that offers intriguing battles on many fronts. While the respective bowling units have been talked up in the abbreviated build-up to the series, the likes of Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor represent some prodigious artistry to excite batting aficionados. But before those players can perform they need a foundation built, which places a particular emphasis on the opening combinations. In Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar, the Proteas have a vastly more experienced pair in terms of First Class games played – a combined 328 matches – compared to Tom Latham and Jeet Raval’s 153 games. First Class runs scored also highlights the chasm; the South African clock in at over 22 000 between them, while the Kiwis have scored just under half that.
In terms of Test experience though, Latham and Patel have only been paired together since the start of this season, in four Tests. Their returns have been modest; they average just 28.50 as a combination.
Despite their longer standing in the game, Cook and Elgar too are a new combination, having opened together in just eight Tests and an early reading of their method puts them in the category of solid rather than flamboyant.
Cook’s not pretty, but he gets the job done and the likes of Amla, Du Plessis, Duminy and De Kock have been grateful for those times when he and Elgar have used up numerous overs against the new ball.
“They are,” said SA’s coach, Russell Domingo, “some gutsy grinders. They epitomise what our team wants to be.”
Domingo reckoned Cook and Elgar would enjoy batting in New Zealand conditions; which for the Tests in Dunedin and the last game in Hamilton, are set to be played on slow and low bouncing tracks, with Hamilton expected to take spin. “(Cook) accumulates runs and these slow seamers suit him down to a T,” remarked the South African coach.
The same is true for Elgar, which for critics of the pair is where the problem lies. Perhaps because of latter day Test openers’ propensity to dominate from the start, many have lost sight of the patient approach. Elgar and Cook’s critics claim they’re not assertive, but that duo and their supporters would say being assertive can include defending and leaving with enough authority so as to wear down fast bowlers mentally.
What Cook and Elgar need is greater consistency, both individually and as a combination, although in Elgar’s case, given his returns against Sri Lanka on green pitches, that consistency is starting to occur.
As a combo they’ve shared just two century stands in the 13 innings they started together – which came in the same game. Their average of 37.92 as an opening pair is not earth shattering, though considering the new ball bowlers they’ve faced; James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Mitchell Starc and Suranga Lakmal, it’s arguably a lot better than the numbers suggest.
The new ball will be vital for South Africa and New Zealand in the three Tests, and both have world class seam bowlers who offer a great threat.
The opening batsmen may not decide the series, but they will go a long way towards tilting the advantage their team’s way. STUART HESS