SA in Australia
Fines nightmare for Proteas
2009-01-15 20:51
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Christo Buchner
Melbourne. – The fines imposed on South Africa for the slow over-rate in their last two games has become a nightmare for new skipper Johan Botha.
Botha sighed and scratched his head when he was quizzed about the issue on Thursday.
“The match referee said we are actually only two to three minutes slower than we should be. We have spoken about it a lot the last day or two. There are a number of contributing factors,” he said.
“Some of the bowlers want to change the field as they are about to start their run-up and can’t seem to make up their minds as to what they want to do.
“There are also guys that offer me some advice and that takes more time. Sometimes we can’t hear one another above the noise of the crowd and you have to run up to the other guy to hear exactly what is being said.
“Then there are the fielders that aren’t always paying attention and not tuned in to keeping an eye on their captain. You sometimes struggle to get their attention. All these things take up time and contribute to us being late.
“I realise it can’t go on like this and that we should have a strategy in place to ensure we complete our overs in time.”
Botha disagrees with his Australian counterpart Ricky Ponting that the South African situation sometimes appears chaotic with four or five captains talking and offering advice at the same time.
“I get input from some senior players, but it’s not as if there are four or five that want to take the lead. It’s tough to take over the captaincy midway through a tour,” he said.
“I have picked up a lot of experience, especially with regards the importance of not showing too much emotion.”