South Africa arrived at the World Cup in February with high expectations for every cricket fan.
But over the past four weeks many, including the South African team members, would have realised one day cricket is merged with T20 cricket. Reputation means little and only results count.
Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander are names that can send a shiver through an opponent, but only when they have a red ball in hand, their clothing is white and pitch has clippings of live grass on it.
The World Cup conditions are nothing like that, the fear usually inspired by these three is irrelevant and the opposition teams will play them on the merit of their deliveries and not by their names.
Steyn is in decline. Even in Test cricket over the past 12 months he barely strikes with the brand new ball. It is with the reverse swinging old ball that he has become lethal.
It is the same story at this World Cup, the champion fast bowler has only struck with the new ball once is his six opening spells.
Steyn, close friend and captain, AB De Villiers, is also not helping his cause either. De Villiers has used him as a restrictive bowler rather than attacking one that takes wickets up front or perhaps De Villiers is aware of Steyn lack of form with the new ball.
But given the fact the likes of Southee, Boult, Irfan, Shami, are leading wicket takers in the World Cup are bowling majority of their quota of overs in the first 25, it is very defensive strategy.
After the Indian loss, De Villiers conceded “I based myself on a gut feel, maybe I got it wrong today” when asked about not bowling Steyn more up front. In the games that followed, the South African skipper turned to himself in the 11th over, and then JP Duminy in the ninth over against Pakistan.
Steyn’s figures might be economical, but as this tournament has proved so far, early wickets are pivotal in stopping any of the batting juggernauts in the competition.
Steyn’s much-fancied partner in crime, Morne Morkel, might have more wickets in the column, but of his 13 scalps, nine have been taken after the 30th over, and two between the 25th and 30th overs.
India made South Africa pay dearly in their pool match, and Pakistan would have as well if it wasn’t for the careless run of Sarfraz Ahmed.
For a person that is so innovative with his strokeplay, De Villiers’ captaincy lacks the pro-activeness needed to lead a side to victory at the World Cup.
Captaincy aside, De Villiers has shown the world why he ranks as the top batsmen in world cricket with his scintillating batting. But like his bowlers, De Villers should understand ranking means little – average and runs are only numbers. Getting the team across the line is what matters.
Chasing totals is not the Proteas’ cup of tea. 13 losses from 20 matches in the past two years, despite AB De Villiers averaging a staggering 71.36 in run chases. It is difficult to point the finger solely on De Villiers, but putting things in perspective, if De Villiers is scoring runs in those chases but he is also failing to get South Africa to a victory target.
In the last five run chases, De Villiers has yet to be undefeated at the crease. It has resulted in South Africa losing four of those run chases. On the contrary, Virat Kohli might not have the flashing brilliance but has been unbeaten at the end of a run chase in three out of the last five innings. De Villiers is a genius but in reality, he needs to yet to deliver as finisher in run chases.
De Villers also needs his peers to rise to the occasion while chasing. Amla’s average dips to 45 from 56 when chasing. Quinton De Kock drops from 37 to 19 and David Miller 37 to 18.
It is perhaps the reason De Villiers has to try do it on his own far too often. But in hindsight, he needs to observe MS Dhoni, and learn the art of batting with the lower order and know exactly when to take the risk.
As De Villiers would have heard and seen it all in South Africa’s World Cup past – Lance Klusener is remembered for his inability to take South Africa home rather his powerhouse stroke play.
De Villiers has plenty on his plate as he tries to overcome the ‘chokers’ tag.
Firstly, he needs to attack with his captaincy like Clarke, chase a target like Kohli or Dhoni and take a leaf of out of the captaincy of McCullum to extract the best out of Steyn, Morkel, Amla and Du Plessis.
It is a fair task, but it is task De Villiers needs to execute if his side are to live up to their reputations. Or he can just hope South Africa win the toss and bat first in every game from here on.
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