AB void ‘can be filled’
MAKETA: IT’S A MATTER OF ONE OF THE PLAYERS TAKING THAT OPPORTUNITY
Gibson expects big things from Titans’ aggressive De Bruyn.
AB de Villiers will “definitely” be missed in the Proteas set-up but national assistant coach Malibongwe Maketa has downplayed the “psychological effect” the legendary batsman’s recent retirement will have on the side.
The 34-year-old unexpectedly called it quits at international level last month, not only leaving it down to other candidates to score his mountains of runs but also the loss of an experienced voice in the leadership group.
“It’s not going to be easy to replace a man of his calibre,” said Maketa. “He was a player of immense quality.”
However, the former Warriors head coach believes the incentive of players trying to put their hand up for that role will put them in a positive frame of mind.
“What excites us is that we’ve had guys around the squad who have been crying out for an opportunity,” said Maketa.
“This provides them that opportunity. Most young batsmen around the country want to be the next AB de Villiers, not that we’ll ever have an AB again. But at least we know there are quite a few batsmen who can stamp their authority on things and that excites us. It’s a matter now of one of them taking that opportunity.”
National head coach Ottis Gibson has already suggested Titans star Theunis de Bruyn could be given an extended run in the Test side, which would make sense given the 25-year-old’s aggressive approach to his batting.
However, Maketa adds Temba Bavuma to the mix, who is already established in the Test side and might merely be shifted higher up the batting order.
“He’s definitely a candidate and has some runs to back up his case. Unfortunately, a lot of others want that No 4 spot too. So it’s really just going to be about who scores the most runs.”
WHeinz Schenk
hen MS Dhoni hit the six that sealed India’s momentous 2011 World Cup victory on home soil, most observers were heralding the start of an age where bat was going to dominate ball overwhelmingly.
After all, the Indians had won that title playing with seven frontline batsmen.
It seemed as if you could concede big totals as long as you had a power-packed batting order that could score more.
But in the subsequent years, an interesting trend has developed.
Yes, the format is played at a higher, more aggressive pace as T20 continues to exert a lot of influence.
However, if you examine some basic stats from 2013 and 2017’s ICC Champions Trophy as well as 2015’s World Cup, you’d realise this: the best teams had the best bowling attacks.
2013’s shootout saw the finalists, India and England, snap up 40 and 35 wickets respectively – the most in the tournament.
Two years later, Australia and New Zealand met in the World Cup’s showpiece game having taking 73 and 75 wickets.
You guessed it, they were the most potent attacks in the tournament.
And last year, Pakistan gained a surprising but richly deserved major ODI title because they took 37 wickets – 10 more than semifinalists England and 11 more than runners-up India.
Obviously, cricket – especially in a major tournament – is far more intricate and one bad or inspired performance can upset even the most carefully crafted game-plan.
It’s nonetheless still refreshing to know that the ball still plays a meaningful role in ODI cricket.
That’s why it’s pleasing to hear that Dale Steyn, even at the age of 34, still wants to fight for a World Cup spot next year.
Frankly, he’s still one of the best bowlers in the country and would surely form a potent attack with young guns Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.
In fact, South Africa shouldn’t even bother looking too far and wide for “new” all-rounders to groom as national coach Ottis Gibson suggested previously.
He’s been hired to win the country an elusive World Cup.
Future development really should be put on the backburner temporarily.
So, just ensure Steyn and Vernon Philander – who can easily bat No 7 in ODIs – are fit for next year’s showpiece and reap the rewards from an attack that reads: Steyn, Philander, Rabada, Ngidi and Tahir.