Proteas’ ‘soft centre’ still a cause for concern ahead of Champions Trophy

LONDON: AB de Villiers,pictured, had a frustrating Saturday, by all accounts, as South Africa lost the series against England with today’s game at Lord’s to spare.

De Villiers was engaged in a visibly tense encounter with the umpires during the England innings.

“The umpires felt the condition of the ball changed, in a way, making me feel that we are responsible,” De Villiers explained in the aftermath of England’s two-run victory in Southampton.

“I was quite upset about that. I don’t know what else I can say… I was pretty upset. It’s done and dusted now, nothing happened, there were no fines given or anything.”

South Africa, of course, have “previous” when it comes to ball-tampering allegations, and De Villiers was at pains to explain that a spinner bowling usually leads to the ball scuffing up a bit more, and debutant Keshav Maharaj was operating with the ball in question.

Ultimately, there was no action taken by the umpires, and England were not too fussed about it all. Why would they be?

With ten balls to go, South Africa needed as many runs, yet England walked away with a two-run heist, denying the big-hitting duo of David Miller and Chris Morris.

“You’ve got to give credit to England’s last two bowlers at the end there,” De Villiers conceded.

It was kind and gracious, but South Africa must be seething at the fact they let the game get away from them at that point, having done so much to get it back again.

“We were looking for one little break, an edge over the keeper, and the game would be over,” the Proteas skipper expanded.

“But it didn’t come. I thought David and Chris played a great innings, and we just didn’t have that bit of luck.”

Miller and Morris did much to take it that deep, but as set as they were, they should have finished off the matter easily. That is what they are in the team to do, regardless of what had come before them.

Both will – and must – be disappointed that they left with nothing, because that late stumble only gives more ammunition to those who feel South Africa don’t chase with comfort. The pattern for the first two games has been eerily similar.

England, with the aid of some loose bowling, pile up late runs to go in excess of 300. South Africa then build a reasonable platform, before the set-batsmen both disappear. The middle-order comes in, but ultimately fall short.

As Quinton De Kock (98) and De Villiers cantered along, it looked as if South Africa were well on their way to a series-levelling victory.

Even then, however, England keeper Jos Buttler could be heard saying “just two wickets away, boys”, reminding the fielders that the game was far from over.

How right he was. South Africa’s soft centre – the middle-order – has not yet been resolved, and the minute De Villiers or another senior player departs, there is a sense of vulnerability.

“Quinton and I got out close to each other, and there was a stop in momentum,” he bemoaned.

After that, Miller dashed his side back to the brink, with a helping hand from Morris. But it was not enough. And yet, despite all that, a wobbly middle-order is not South Africa’s biggest problem, with the Champions Trophy at their doorstep.

“We were a little bit careless with ball in hand,” De Villiers conceded. “There will always be expensive overs, but you must try to minimise that,” he said, challenging his bowlers to do more.

At Lord’s, there surely has to be a case for Morne Morkel to be given a run. South Africa have leant heavily on too many ‘nearly’ all-rounders to do some sort of job, but perhaps placing a premium on specialists may be the answer. The final match of the three-match series is a last chance to get some confidence back.

A week ago, De Villiers and his team seemed quite sure about where they were going. But a week is a long time when you are not winning.

The final match of the series starts at midday, with coverage on Supersport 2 from 11am.