World Cup team guide: South Africa. No AB De Villiers, no problem?
The retirement of AB de Villiers has robbed South Africa of their game-breaker in chief, but could modest expectations actually prove a pressure release for cricket’s perennial underachievers?
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The retirement of game-breaker AB de Villiers pulls South Africa back to the World Cup pack but could prove a crucial pressure release for cricket’s perennial underachiever.
Former South African coach Gary Kirsten concedes it’s ‘definitely a dark mist that hangs over South African cricket in knockout events’. However, lowered expectation reduces the emphasis on a chokers stigma that has engulfed South Africa since its 1999 World Cup demise against Australia in England.
The Proteas require star trio Quinton de Kock, Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada to fire, backed by a solid core that has won 11 of its past 13 series.
However, injury concerns of varying severity over Steyne (shoulder), Rabada (back) and Lungi Ngidi (side strain) threaten to undermine South Africa’s potent fast bowling power — even if coach Otis Gibson recently insisted his two chief pace spearheads are tracking to make “full recoveries”.
Anrich Nortje was scratched from the original squad after a “freakish” training ground accident saw him break a thumb, replaced by veteran Chris Morris. There is little room for others to pull up lame before or during the competition.
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Wily Faf du Plessis is an unshakeable skipper, feeding off emotion and the grand stage at the crease while extracting maximum output from his attack.
South Africa has got serious — suspending its controversial quota system in pursuit of a breakthrough World Cup triumph in England. De Villiers has alleged that former Cricket South Africa boss Haroon Lorgat demanded the selection of Vernon Philander (0/52) ahead of Kyle Abbott for the nation’s 2015 World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand.
Here’s your team South Africa! #ProteaFire #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/sAcso5pu1f
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) April 18, 2019
Gibson has been told he must win South Africa’s inaugural World Cup title to secure a contract extension but is a lead candidate to succeed Trevor Bayliss as England coach.
STRENGTHS
South Africa’s attack has all bases covered in English conditions with top shelf pace and spin. The Proteas hunt as a pack with little relief for opposition batsmen despite the retirement of Morne Morkel. Tearaway Rabada and leg-spinner Imran Tahir are top five ICC ranked ODI bowlers while legend Steyn is a potent weapon, if fit and firing. Ngidi, whose side strain is not thought to be so serious as to question his involvement, has regularly hit 150km/h in snaring 36 wickets at 21 in 18 games. A brilliant attack means selectors can opt for a batting all-rounder at No.7. Indile Phehlukwayo is the Proteas best performed all-rounder since 2015 averaging 31.3 with the bat and 29.8 with the ball.
WEAKNESSES
South Africa’s batting is still adapting to life without superstar de Villiers.
Quinton de Kock remains an exhilarating one-day keeper batsman but opening partner Hashim Amla appears in decline.
Amla and de Kock have been South Africa’s productive opening pair since the last World Cup with 2442 runs and four century stands at 51.96 across 49 matches.
However, Amla, 36, has been in poor domestic form and taken a month away from the game to care for his ailing father
There has been concern at Amla’s touch over the past year averaging 25 in India, then 35 against Sri Lanka before hitting back with 214 runs at 53 hosting Pakistan.
Amla was axed by domestic T20 side Durban Heat last December but his record of 27 one-day tons is seductive.
Aiden Markram was included on the basis of strong domestic form but averages 29 in 19 one-day matches. David Miller has five one-day tons but enters the World Cup with middling touch against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
KEY PLAYERS
Quinton de Kock
De Kock and AB de Villiers are the only Proteas batsmen since the 2015 World Cup to average 50 with a strike-rate exceeding 100. De Kock carries critical responsibility as keeper/opener with Amla struggling and de Villiers retired.
Kagiso Rabada
Volatile Rabada is the ICC fifth ranked ODI bowler but has the speed, variation and will to overshadow Jaspirit Bumrah and Pat Cummins as the decisive paceman of the 2019 showpiece. Tearaway Rabada — who dominated the 2019 IPL for Delhi Capitals before being withdrawn early as a precaution — can take the new ball and bowl at the close with equal effect.
Dale Steyn
He’s 35 but recovered from injury to recapture immaculate 145km/h outswing. Steyn needs four wickets to break the 200-barrier at the World Cup and provides priceless on field guidance for young firebrands Rabada and Ngidi.
Imran Tahir
Leg-spinner Tahir had a Test bowling average of 50 after conceding 0/180 against Australia in Adelaide seven years ago but has an impressive one-day record. Every title contender has a quality frontline wrist-spinner which Tahir’s 162 wickets at 24 represents across 98 one-day games.
Faf du Plessis
Captain Du Plessis is tough as nails and South Africa’s batting rock following de Villiers’ exit. Du Plessis has a formidable career average of 46.5 but boasts 2777 runs at 60.4 since the last World Cup in a quest to go from “good to great”.
PREDICTION
Bowlers win matches and if South Africa’s batting holds form and those bowling injury doubts are overcome you sense a semi-final berth awaits at worst. This could be the World Cup where South Africa shocks itself and rivals. A final showdown with Australia is definitely a possibility.
FULL SQUAD
Faf du Plessis (captain), Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, David Miller, JP Duminy, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Lungi Ngidi, Chris Morris, Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi
FIXTURES
Thursday, May 30: England (The Oval, 7.30pm)
Sunday, June 2: Bangladesh (The Oval, 7.30pm)
Wednesday, June 5: India (Southampton, 7.30pm)
Monday, June 10: West Indies (Southampton, 7.30pm)
Saturday, June 15: Afghanistan (Cardiff, 10.30pm)
Wednesday, June 19: New Zealand (Edgbaston, 7.30pm)
Sunday, June 23: Pakistan (Lord’s, 7.30pm)
Friday, June 28: Sri Lanka (Chester-le-Street, 7.30pm)
Saturday, July 6: Australia (Old Trafford, 10.30pm)
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