Share

ODIs: SA to out-clobber England!

Cape Town – Relatively “normal service” from the Proteas’ frontline batsmen, in cherished local conditions, ought to be enough to tilt the balance of the one-day international series against England beginning in Bloemfontein on Wednesday (13:30).

They say the ODI landscape is a batsman’s game ... and there is little reason to suspect any notable departure from that theory over the course of what shape up as five potentially enthralling, closely-fought and high-scoring encounters.

Part of that anticipated closeness may well be down to the suspicion – at least in this writer’s mind -- that England’s bowling attack looks slightly better geared as things stand to exercise the necessary levels of discipline and control.

The Proteas, still struggling to put their optimal seam attack onto the park as was the case in the prior Test series defeat, won’t necessarily be able to keep a tighter lid on things through the belated introduction to their squad of men like the tearaway Marchant de Lange or lanky all-rounder David Wiese; the latter tends to be more effective with his mix-it-up medium-pacers in the Twenty20 than 50-overs environment.

But then again, what guarantees are there in this format, with stroke-playing innovation and unorthodoxy at such extraordinarily advanced levels, that finding the correct lines and lengths are going to be accompanied by due reward in the wickets or economy column anyway?

Sometimes there is just no place to hide for even the most willing, intelligent and durable of bowlers in one-day internationals and things can simply unravel even with them largely blameless in execution of their trade.

Signs point to pretty heavy scoring across the board in this series ... but at least from a statistical point of view, South Africa should collectively be in a position to go that crucial little bit “heavier” if their frontline customers at the crease deliver to par expectations or thereabouts.

The Proteas boast four of the present top 10-ranked batsmen on the ODI global ladder, with captain AB de Villiers still the pick of the pile, Hashim Amla in third and Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock joint-10th.

De Villiers’s most compelling offensive instincts come cascading to the fore in ODIs, where he is holder of the record for fastest century ever – that meteoric 31-ball effort against West Indies at the Wanderers last season.

You wonder just when a performance like that will possibly be bettered -- even if by saying that Murphy’s Law will probably go and make it happen within the next week or so.

Disregard, I believe, those three ducks in a row at the back end of the Test series against England: De Villiers will relish the change in format to the more gung-ho arena, where he is also significantly more settled as an international captain.

His last ODI produced him a century (119) at Mumbai, as the Proteas registered a famous 3-2 triumph in India, for those who may have forgotten.

Although this shouldn’t spark any thoughts that they will be vulnerable in batting – not by a long shot -- the best slots England can offer on the world rankings are Joe Root in 17th and Jos Buttler at 19th.

Unlike, say, De Villiers and Amla, whose respective Test and ODI batting records are impressively close together, the gifted Root still flourishes far more in the five-day code (where he averages 54.93) than in ODIs where he is a fair way behind on 41.90.

Then again, the 25-year-old was marvellously consistent during the Test series triumph, making at least one significant score at each of the four SA venues, so he will be feeling good about himself ahead of the latest tussles in the more abbreviated format.

He has just one prior ODI cap – among his 63 appearances – against the Proteas, and notched 48 on that occasion as England won the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final at The Oval in mid-2013.

As much as I tip South Africa to pip the English in this series, a major factor in things potentially going the other way is a certain Ben Stokes, far and away the most fully-fledged all-rounder on display across either outfit over the next couple of weeks.

The well-merited player of the series in the Test portion, like Root, has not yet shown his finest mettle in 50-overs play, which could surprise many who witnessed his 258-run carnage at Newlands in the signature New Year Test.

From 34 ODIs thus far, the flame-haired Durham man has mustered only 544 runs at a less-than-scary average of 20, and 32 wickets at 34.25.

Has he filled his boots for the South African summer, or is his hunger not yet wholly satisfied?

If it proves to be the latter, just allow me to tweak my series prediction, if you please ...

*Follow our chief writer on Twitter: @RobHouwing

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE