Mood is dark among fickle fans . . . but why?
just to win but to win the whole event. It was ridiculous. It was as though our boys just had to impress their moulded studs onto that Italian-grown turf in Equatorial Guinea for the opposition to lie down and die.
That was the prevailing mood and we loved it.
In fact, after a quiet start on Monday, we played very well up to the missed penalty – very well indeed.
Under previous regimes, we often looked as though we were playing a game not suited to South African players. How many times did we see balls crossed high into the middle, where our lone striker looked like a footballing David
Iagainst some west African Goliath? It was as though we didn’t realise that the days of Phil and Shaun are long gone. Often we seemed to pass for passing’s sake and didn’t mind if the ball went square or back as long as possession was retained. Often we selected aging slow-coaches based on their club, not their skills set.
This week, in that early and middle period, we played fast and forward and with a pace that was extraordinary. When we got wide, we explored the short pass as well as the speculative cross and, indeed, the goal was as good a team goal as we have scored since readmission. Barcelona or Arsenal would have been proud of that. F ONE didn’t know any better, you’d think the series scoreline was 3-0 to the West Indies and not South Africa.
Certainly, local autograph hunters who arrived at St George’s Park here yesterday morning expecting to see the Windies going through their paces were bemused.
Their morning practice was cancelled, and that, really, was that. No explanation, no media engagements, and no evidence to suggest the last two matches in this series mean any more than the previous three.
For the Proteas, meanwhile, it was back to business as they readied themselves for tomorrow’s fourth OneDay International here.
However, if they had taken another day golfing, and beaching and chilling, no one would have batted an eyelid.
But, with this series secured, they have one eye on
The Algerians looked Arab sprung and when the penalty came, also after good work, all the predictions looked accurate. Then we hit the iceberg.
We failed to hit the target from 12 metres. That is a hanging offence and it is concerning to hear Benni McCarthy say that Tokelo Rantie is not a spot-taker’s backside, or words to that effect. Maybe he was unlucky. The point is that, had he been an inch lower in his trajectory, we would have won going away. Instead, heads dropped, concentration lapsed and we were well beaten in the end.
Now the mood is as dark and angry as Cape waters when a storm has hit. The coach is an idiot what lies ahead.
“I think I’m at the stage now where I’m beyond excited about the World Cup,” senior player JP Duminy explained.
“We are not a team to say a lot of things before an event, but we know we have the ability as a squad to go all the way. I can’t wait to get there.”
Duminy is regarded as one of the main manne in the Proteas squad, both for his ability on the field as well as his easy-going demeanour off it.
But when he looks forward to next month and the possibility of what may happen, he’s back to being like a kid at Christmas – beaming with expectant pride.
“This is an exciting time for all of us. we have a lot of responsibility, and understand that big performances are needed from us.
“We have a good mix, with some real experience, and also some guys who are going to their first World Cup.”
Looking at his role within the team, with bat and ball, he welcomed his responsibilities. He’s had to adapt a few and Safa has once again let us down. Tradition doesn’t change quickly in South Africa and the knives were out of their sheaths and glinting almost immediately.
This piece was written before the Senegal game. In a way, that is good because the result is irrelevant. Let me explain: Of course we all would like a win, but of more importance is style. We need to stick to the plan and continue the way we are playing. Yes, I hope we defend with a bit more certainty. Yes, I hope we finish with more aplomb and, God forbid, if we get a penalty, we give it to a player who will hit the target.
Yes, I hope we won last night but, regardless, we are onto some- times, going from No 3 in Sri Lanka 18 months ago to being back in the middle-order, the engine room that coach Russell Domingo has identified as crucial to success.
“Look, I am always happy to do what is best for the team, so I am happy to be in that middle order, coming in after David (Miller) and AB (de Villiers).”
Duminy, with his accurate off-spin, also looks likely to take a frontline role with the ball, sometimes operating as a first change option, particularly on the slower pitches in New Zealand.
“If you look at the makeup of our attack, with three seamers, plus ‘Fudge’ as the fourth seamer, then I will have to take the ball early on. It’s a good challenge for me, but I look forward to getting into the game early,” he explained.
Duminy, like many of the South African batsmen at practice yesterday, had an extended hit, and took advantage of the middle practice, which saw bowlers Kyle Abbott, Wayne Parnell and Vernon Philander charge in, and the batsmen looked to hit them out the park.
The handful of ticket hopefuls and after noon strollers who popped in hoping to catch a net session were given a treat as skipper AB de Villiers did his best to hit a few balls into the adjoining Greenwood Primary School, over the bowler’s head, and beyond the roof of the media centre.
Having entertained the mini-gallery, De Villiers then took part in the side’s “Reach For A Dream” initiative, handing out some gifts to one lucky youngster.
The smile on the boy’s f ace was as wide as the chasm between the Proteas and the Windies in this series.
But, as the Proteas and their fans have realised, this series, against a team that has taken in the sights of South Africa but hardly made a sound, can hardly be used as an accurate yardstick.
In a few weeks’ time, South Africa will be reaching for dreams of their own.
Then they will know where they stand. thing good under Shakes. Anyone who has played the game can see that. The ball is doing the work and our fast and clever runners are doing just that – running cleverly and quickly. We give-and-go and get into attacking spaces with ease.
Now when a man is put clear, it doesn’t look like an accident, as has been the case with recent sides. The players look like they are enjoying themselves rather than showing fear and faintheartedness.
Opposition sides, including Algeria, look worried against us. When did that last happen? This must be encouraged and developed above everything else.
The nay-sayers argue that Afcon