Image Credit- ICC
Is it too soon to say that South Africa’s understated
entry into the 2023 ODI World Cup epitomised when Temba Bavuma appeared to fall
asleep at the captains’ day press conference? Maybe.
We’ll accept it nonetheless since, strangely, it was
the camera position — Bavuma was actually gazing down at his hands — that
inadvertently brought South Africa to this tournament’s forefront, albeit not
for the reasons they may have desired. Whatevs. At least we are all aware that
they are present.
That was hardly the case during the build-up, which
was presided over by lengthy details about England’s revolutionary strategy
(what’s that again? Something beginning with ‘B’?) and whether India would send
off Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the format with a victory when it counts.
Australia, who South Africa defeated 3-2 just a few weeks ago with an
experimental Australia XI, is expected to find its big-tournament form, while
New Zealand, as they did in the last two competitions, is among those who could
make it all the way to the championship game.
Although South Africa has historically based their
strategy on bowling, this time the batting order stands out. South Africa’s top
three have averaged 43.41 since the 2019 World Cup, with Pakistan and India
posting higher results. Quinton de Kock, the member of the group with the best
reputation, has the lowest average of the three, a respectable 44.75. Rassie
van der Dussen and Bavuma have average ages over 55. In particular, Bavuma is
having the finest ODI season of his career.
The tone is set for a powerful beginning with all of
that, but things get even better. According to the statistics, South Africa’s
middle order, which has typically been their downfall in major competitions, is
the best in the world. The No. 5 and No. 6 batters in the lineup have averaged
51.50 since the last World Cup, with the highest strike rate of anyone else:
112.24. They have utilised a variety of players in those slots throughout the
years, but Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller have dominated those roles in
recent months and at this World Cup.
“There are days where the batting won’t fire and
we’re going to need the bowlers to come through, and vice versa,” Bavuma
said. “At the moment, maybe it’s the batters who are firing and taking on
that responsibility and there is room for us to improve within the bowling
front.”
Since their cricketing DNA is centred on steady
batting and explosive quicks, you won’t hear a South African mention any of
these things very often. But this South African team is not your typical one.
Perhaps events have altered. South Africans now expect that the more they
accomplish, the less similar the results of major competitions will be.