South Africa faltering with over-confidence - Part 1 - Opinion
After routing of England in the Investec Test Series of 2012, South Africa became the number one Test team in the world, and their brilliance in white clothing was supposed to rub off on England in the ODI format as well. Sadly for most Protea fans who had
witnessed players like http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Vernon-Philander-c2753 decimating batting line ups, the ODI performance was shaky and unconvincing. England managed to thrash South Africa by six wickets, to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the NatWest series. It was a sad state of affairs
for the Proteas, as the team managed to ignite passion and flare in the Test arena with ruthlessness. The performance in the fourth ODI and the preceding encounters however, hinted at complacency from a South African side, which has a history of capitulating
under pressure, when they take their opposition too lightly.
That was exactly what happened in the 4th ODI of the series on the hallow turf at Lords. England managed to prove that their unconvincing victory at the Oval was no fluke, by playing professional cricket, which made their opponents look ragged,
unconvincing and out of sorts. Much was expected from this South African side after their heroics at the Rose Bowl and in the Test Series, but they have failed to live up to the expectations that have come their way. Their only victory in this ODI series also
hinted at a one dimensional approach from the Proteas in the death overs of England’s innings, which helped the host’s post 207. England should have been wrapped up for below 200 after they were reeling at 9 for 170 at one stage.
It is thus inexcusable that South Africa is showing signs of complacency. Vague flashbacks of a one dimensional approach towards the ODI game and choking under pressure have begun to surface once again. For a team that has plenty of points to prove by shedding
away their ‘chokers’ tag, letting their opposition gnaw back into contention in the ODI format, was not the order of the day. The Proteas have had an upper hand on the English for the most part of their tour, and the manner in which they lost wickets at regular
intervals cannot be attributed to good bowling by the English alone. The array of extravagant strokes being executed meant that South Africa was taking their opposition lightly. England, which is ranked the number one side in the world, needed no second invitation
to crush the opposition out of the game.
A notable trend in the fourth ODI was the scorecard itself. The wickets which tumbled were littered with stumpings from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kent-c802, has just played
a handful of games for England, and has a tally of 11 wickets at an average of 27.90 to his name. There was nothing too threatening for South Africa, despite Tredwell bowling an immaculate line and length. It was perhaps, the bowler’s reputation which meant
that terrible shots were being executed by the South African batsmen. The Proteas felt that tackling a mediocre spinner would reap significant dividends in light of the difficulty associated with putting the other bowlers to the fence. It was an approach that
was detrimental, as yet another expansive stroke lead to a stumping chance. Much to the delight of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757’s
unwarranted adventurism.
Continued in Part 2...
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