KHALID MOHIDIN looks at the various strategies and starting XI’s from the Proteas’ World Cup squad.
After months of debate and speculation, the Proteas have finally picked their 15-man squad for the World Cup in England and Wales.
The tough ruling was made that saw Reeza Hendricks miss out on a place in the squad despite rumours that Hashim Amla could possibly have been omitted.
ALSO READ: Proteas name Reeza-less XV
CSA convenor of selectors, Linda Zondi, was delighted with the final XV and believes that the selectors have covered all bases.
‘We feel that Faf’s team is well-equipped to handle whatever conditions are presented to them, bearing in mind the weather extremes one can encounter in the British Isles,’ said Zondi.
ALSO READ: Zondi take selection u-turn
Now that the squad have been announced, the strategising can begin.
The two main issues that the Proteas need to plan for are the possibility of a batting collapse and the requirement to find players capable of bowling the full 50 overs. Currently we are not short of bowlers, so finding four players to share 40 overs between them isn’t the issue. However, finding two players to share the remaining overs and limiting the number of runs they might concede is the real trick. This highlights the importance of the Proteas’ all-rounders.
The Proteas definitely need to implement a rotation strategy and select according to conditions.
Here are the different ways the Proteas could line up at the World Cup.
The World Cup XV as announced:
1) Quinton de Kock (wk)
2) Hashim Amla
3) Faf du Plessis (c)
4) Rassie van der Dussen
5) David Miller (back up wk)
6) JP Duminy
7) Andile Phehulkwayo
8) Dale Steyn
9) Kagiso Rabada
10) Lungi Ngidi
11) Imran Tahir
12) Dwaine Pretorius
13) Aiden Markram
14) Anrich Nortje
15) Tabraiz Shamsi
SIX-ONE-FOUR
Six batsmen, one all-rounder and four bowlers. Two all-rounders are essential in this case, but only if you count JP Duminy as a batting all-rounder. This appears to be South Africa’s best option. Having two spinners in a side go a long way to restricting the opposition in the limited-overs format. Duminy can share the bowling duties with Andile Phehlukwayo, who is undoubtedly the first-choice all-rounder. This formation also suits the Proteas fast-bowling blueprint, allowing them to pick three quicks.
1) Quinton de Kock
2) Aiden Markram/Hashim Amla
3) Faf du Plessis
4) Rassie van der Dussen
5) David Miller
6) JP Duminy (3-5 overs)
7) Andile Phehlukwayo (5-7 overs)
8) Dale Steyn (10 overs)
9) Kagiso Rabada (10 overs)
10) Lungi Ngidi (10 overs)
11) Imran Tahir (10 overs)
ALSO READ: Phehlukwayo oozes BMT
SIX-ONE-FOUR (two spinners)
Six specialist batsmen, one all-rounder, two seamers and two spinners: This can be used in the latter stages of the tournament when the pitches harden and there is more turn in the wickets. Having two attacking spinners can be dangerous, especially having the luxury of a left-arm and right-arm option. For this formation to work, the spinners must be utilised wisely to stem the run rate and entice the opposition into risky shots to accelerate that run rate. More pressure will be on the top seven to perform.
1) Quinton de Kock
2) Aiden Markram/Hashim Amla
3) Faf du Plessis
4) Rassie van der Dussen
5) David Miller
6) JP Duminy (extra spinner) (2-3overs)
7) Andile Phehlukwayo (7-8 overs)
8) Kagiso Rabada (10 overs)
9) Lungi Ngidi (10 overs)
10) Imran Tahir (10 overs)
11) Tabraiz Shamsi (10 overs)
SIX-ONE-FOUR (four seamers)
A highly unpopular option, but can be effective against teams who struggle against pace and bounce.
1) Quinton de Kock
2) Aiden Markram/Hashim Amla
3) Faf du Plessis
4) Rassie van der Dussen
5) David Miller
6) JP Duminy (3-5 overs)
7) Andile Phehlukwayo (5-7 overs)
8) Dale Steyn (10 overs)
9) Kagiso Rabada (10 overs)
10) Lungi Ngidi (10 overs)
11) Anrich Nortje (10 overs)
FIVE-TWO-FOUR
Five batsmen, two all-rounders and four specialist bowlers: There is no need to use Duminy as an extra spinner, as he can play as batsman only. In this system, the Proteas’ top order will need to step up, and the bowlers will need to skittle the opposition every time. It also piles pressure on the Proteas’ top five. This formation is great against a weaker batting side. The only issue is that two specialist batsmen will miss out. This selection will also demand batting performances from Pretorius and Phehlukwayo.
1) Quinton de Kock
2) Aiden Markram/Hashim Amla
3) Faf du Plessis
4) Rassie van der Dussen
5) JP Duminy
6) Dwaine Pretorius (5-8 overs)
7) Andile Phehlukwayo (5-8 overs)
8) Kagiso Rabada (10 overs)
9) Anrich Nortje/Dale Steyn (10 overs)
10) Lungi Ngidi (10 overs)
11) Imran Tahir (10 overs)
SEVEN-ONE-THREE
Seven batsmen, one all-rounder and three bowlers: This covers the Proteas’ batting woes, but puts extra pressure on the Proteas’ strike bowlers. It would also add a larger workload on Duminy, who will need to bowl 10 overs, while Phehulkwayo will also need to bowl a full 10 overs. Markram, however, is a part-time spinning option, and he can take the pressure off Phehlukwayo and Duminy by bowling five overs. In this formation, a batting spinner would have been very handy. There are some doubts whether Phehlukwayo can bowl a full 10 overs.
1) Quinton de Kock
2) Hashim Amla
3) Aiden Markram (5 overs)
4) Faf du Plessis
5) Rassie van der Dussen
6) JP Duminy (5 overs)
7) David Miller
8) Andile Phehlukwayo (10 overs)
9) Kagiso Rabada (10 overs)
10) Lungi Ngidi (10 overs)
11) Imran Tahir (10 overs)
SIX-TWO-THREE
Six batsmen, two all-rounders and three bowlers: This is a lineup we have seen executed by the Proteas in Australia, against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The lineup is perfect for sides who have a specialist batting all-rounder, allowing teams to bat deeper. The Proteas have trusted Pretorius to fill this role. He showed his firepower in the final T20I against Sri Lanka when he smashed a 42-ball 77. He will also have to provide with the ball. There are some doubts whether the two all-rounders can bowl a full 10 overs while keeping their economy rates low.
1) Quinton de Kock
2) Hashim Amla
3) Aiden Markram
4) Faf du Plessis
5) Rassie van der Dussen
6) JP Duminy (4 overs)
7) Dwaine Pretorius (8 overs)
8) Andile Phehlukwayo (8 overs)
9) Kagiso Rabada (10 overs)
10) Lungi Ngidi (10 overs)
11) Imran Tahir (10 overs)
Photo: Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images
