“We let a lot of people down”, the captain of the South African cricket team, Faf du Plessis, said despairingly at a press conference after a consolation victory against Sri Lanka.
The 2019 ICC World Cup has not been an easy ride for the Proteas, even as they ended their campaign on a winning note against the Aussies on the evening of Saturday July 06.
Even before the event, the Proteas had to deal with different challenges. Their World Cup preparation took a dip when AB de Villiers – one of the greatest cricketers of his time and an asset of the South African team – announced an early retirement from international cricket last year.
The decision was not easy to digest for a team that was already suffering from Kolpak deals, but now there is no turning back. The Proteas have had one of the most embarrassing exits from the tournament.
However, the team can focus on at least three takeaways from this ten-nation tournament when planning for the next World Cup in 2023.
First, the team management needs to devise a policy by which they can replace the senior players gradually. Instant changes would only welcome deterioration within the team, especially if they are to choose a new captain since he would need some support at the beginning of his leadership.
The rebuilding process takes time and the ‘work in process’ stage never looks attractive until the time of completion. Hence, team management must come up with intelligent planning and stick to it even when the chosen resources are not responding well.
Second, the team management must come up with a well-thought-out rotation policy.
(AAP Image/David Mariuz)
For the last two years there have been serious injuries within the team, from Dale Steyn to Lungi Ngidi to Kagiso Rabada. These bowlers have been strike force for the Proteas and if they get injured at crucial junctures then it will only be a recipe for a disaster.
It is also important to note that the emergence of T20 leagues has contributed to the recent surge in injuries – especially to fast bowlers – as it takes a toll on bodies of athletes who are already going through the busy international season. A continuous and planned rotation of players along with the introduction of young players would certainly bring fresh air into the dressing room.
Third, the quota system needs serious consideration. Though it was not in place in this World Cup, it may haunt them in the future unless it is completely abolished. The system is not running well among the players and is one of the reasons behind the recent surge in Kolpak deals.
This brings us to my last point, which is that Cricket South Africa has to analyze the other causes behind this Kolpak deal resurgence. The most recent player lost to this deal is Duanne Olivier, who had an impressive Test series against Pakistan when the latter toured South Africa. He has incredible stats of 48 wickets in his ten Test match career.
The list also includes players like Kyle Abbott, Richard Levi, David Wiese and Rilee Rossouw. This needs to be sorted out on an emergency basis as this trend won’t allow the team management to plan for the future at a time when they are unsure about the availability of vital resources.
Captaining a cricket team is greater than in any other team sport. In football, the manager is seen marching the players. Cricket is the game where the captain becomes a true leader. Aiden Markram, who is labelled as a ‘future skipper’, is yet to establish himself in ODIs.
Though his recent ODI form does not seem to favour him to take over the captaincy role, he seems to be the serious contender and possibly the best current choice since he has captained at the under-19 level. He is aggressive, young and possesses a clever head on his shoulders.
There are plenty of issues to work on in the current situation and number of shoes to fill in as players like Hashim Amla, du Plessis, JP Duminy, Steyn and Imran Tahir won’t be part of the team when 2023 rolls around.
But there is still plenty to look out for from the Proteas in the future.
Ayush
Guest
My issue with the quota system is that it is in many ways detrimental for the black players. Rabada is overbowled not only because he is such a weapon but also because he helps them to keep up with the target. Compare how Steyn was managed to how Rabada is, its horrible. Also for black african batsmen it is a huge mental block. It is like being sledged by the Aussies for their whole careers.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Brainstrust only a few play for the Proteas before heading overseas. Think about Kevin Pietersen, Nick Compton, and the numerous others who played for England, especially in the earlier part of this decade nearly half the English team was South African, and how many more who have gone over to play in the English domestic system without making it into the England 11. I have a couple personal friends who fall into the latter category. Not to mention other countries like Australia and New Zealand (think Grant Elliott). The quota system is not an excuse, it’s real. Back in the day the Rand was stronger than the US dollar, and while there was a huge racial divide, for those who were in business the economy was strong. Rich South Africans could travel overseas and marvel at how cheap other countries were, including most 1st world countries. How things have changed....
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
South Africa need to be paying national team players more money if they want to have a team, or is Kolpak going to go with Brexit? How they managed to pay all those rebel teams huge amounts in the old days is a mystery. The quota system seems to be the excuse they make, players need to make the national team to get the overseas deal so even if they overlooked initially for the national team, they hang around till they make it, and once they make it they are off like a rocket when a deal comes in. South Africa dont have a T20 league because they dont have the money that adds to the problem, and most of their existing money comes from India anyway. If the national team goes down the gurgler like Windies then the Indian money decreases with it.
Jazib
Roar Rookie
I completely agree with you. See these quota systems are only good on ad hoc basis, and must not be a permanent policy. The management or policy-makers must make sure that they create the right awareness among the stake holders about racial discrimination. And I think the Africans have moved on from that stigma and progressed. This must be discontinued as it just kills the merit system.
Jazib
Roar Rookie
Thanks Ujala. Hoping to hear from you in future as well.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Great article and agree. South Africa faces challenges that no other nation faces in both cricket and rugby: 1) Quota policies. It's great that Rabada and to a lesser extent Ngidi have stepped up to the plate and are such high quality bowlers and are always selected on merit (KG is arguably the best fast bowler in the world), who luckily for the selectors and politicians happen to be the "right" skin colour, and not just darker skinned by are black african which is the ultimate transformation target. But if they weren't around, or weren't as good as they are, then who would there be? The SA selectors and policies would have a real problem on their hands. What happens when Amla and JP Duminy etc retire? People from all backgrounds, culture, language and race in South Africa need to be nurtured and given equal opportunity, and then transformation will happen naturally. But the final selection for your county's 1st team, ie the best 11 in the country, always needs to be the best 11 players and selected on merit. 2) The lure of the Pound Sterling, (and in rugby's case include the Euro & Yen) at a time when many in SA are uncertain about the political and economic future of the country. If cricket or rugby is their ticket to earn a lot more money and start a family overseas, then it's an enticing option very much worth considering. For now the Kevin Pietersen's, Duanne Olivier's, Rilee Rossouw's etc will continue to go overseas to seek out greener pastures. Can you blame them?
Ujala
Guest
Great thoughts (y)
Jazib
Roar Rookie
Do let me know if you disagree or agree with my observations. Thanks!