South Africa are underdogs for this World Cup and they love it
Former South African all-rounder Albie Morkel was on a World Cup preview show a few days ago and observed how the Proteas have flown mostly under the radar in the build up to the tournament which is a stark contrast from the World Cup’s of previous years. He also believed that it was a good thing, and said that South Africa would enjoy their newfound status of underdogs in a major international ICC tournament. But this team isn’t underwhelming by any measure. Kagiso Rabada is arguably the best fast bowler in the world along with Jasprit Bumrah, and Faf Du Plessis is a world class batsman and captain that is enjoying the best form of his career. There is plenty of talent in the side mostly comprising of their former U-19 players; all players looking to prove themselves, no more than former U-19 captain Aiden Markram, who has been inconsistent at the best in his 2 years spent with the South Africa set up. The bowling has the ever dependable Imran Tahir and Rabada is backed up with a combination of raw pace & experience in Lungi Ngidi and Dale Steyn. Even though Steyn is expected to miss the first couple of games with injury, his experience in English conditions will be vital to South Africa’s semi final chances. They certainly have the team to make it all the way to final 4, but then why is the vast majority of the cricket community writing of their hopes?
A lot of it can be attributed to the expectations that have been placed on the Proteas during ICC tournaments in the last decade. South Africa have always had a solid side with proven match winners during this period, led by Shaun Pollock, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and most recently AB De Villiers. Every South African was convinced that an ICC trophy was around the corner with one of these players in the side, but the Proteas always flattered to deceive, getting knocked out usually at the semi final stage or earlier. This had become a recurring theme, and the last World Cup was no different after their horrow show in Adelaide in 2015. The Champions Trophy & World T20 tournaments that followed had similar fate in store for them. So when everyone’s favourite cricketer and South Africa’s last beacon of hope AB De Villiers retired, it supposedly ended any hopes of South Africa winning a World Cup or any other ICC tournament anytime soon. Sides such as Australia, England & India have produced some eye catching performances in ODI’s over the last few years, which has led to many talking up their World Cup chances, but South Africa haven’t done that and even though they haven’t lost a major ODI series in a while now, expectations surrounding their chances of winning the World Cup are at an all time low.
How does this squad compare to its predecessors?
Faf Du Plessis has an enviable record since taking over as South African captain and has clearly been their best batsman in the last couple of years, but there are far too many questions about the talent he is surrounded with. Like mentioned earlier, Markram has yet to find his footing in International cricket and questions about consistency constantly present themselves to the likes of Quentin De Kock and David Miller. Much rests on the captain and Hashim Amla, to set up the foundation for big team totals during this World Cup. But the one key feature in this Proteas squad compared to past ones is the presence of quality all rounders. Every leading ODI side in the world right now has at least one world class all rounder in their team and all rounders have shown themselves to be key to the balance of the side in both limited overs formats of the game. Andile Phehlukwayo is that man for South Africa, and has spent a few years in the national side’s set up, and has proved on more than one occasion that his is capable of being an impact player with both the bat and the ball. If the warm up games are any evidence, he is also entering the World Cup in great form. Chris Morris has proved himself in high pressure moments with bat and ball and brings in a wealth of valuable experience. They also have another all rounder in Dwayne Pretorius, who was bought in after a string of sensational performances in the domestic cricket setup in South Africa. These fast bowling all rounders along with Steyn, Rabada and Ngidi and spinner Imran Tahir comprise of perhaps the best bowling attack in the tournament which is why most questions that are being asked of South Africa’s chances are with their batting in mind. Du Plessis and Amla can’t do it alone, and it will be interesting to see whether South Africa’s Gen Next can rise to the occasion.
It serves this side best to fly under the radar this World Cup, as their team filled with seniors and youngsters won’t have to worry about the ‘Chokers’ tag that has been acrimoniously placed upon them since Herschelle Gibbs ‘dropped the World Cup’ back in 1999. The reduced pressure will serve them well, and they will not mind people writing off their chances of going far in this tournament. This is South Africa’s chance to prove that they have nothing to prove.
