AB laments SA’s ‘careless’ bowling in loss
South Africa’s David Miller in action AB DE VILLIERS 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, as he felt there was a suggestion that he and his side had something to do with the condition of the ball.
“The umpires felt the condition of the ball changed, in a way, making me feel that we were responsible,” De Villiers explained in the aftermath of England’s two-run victory in Southampton.
“I was quite upset about that …
It’s done and dusted now, nothing happened, there were no fines given or anything like that.”
South Africa, of course, have previously faced ball-tampering allegations, and De Villiers was clearly displeased by the suggestion. He 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, no action was taken by the umpires and England were not too fussed about it all. Why would they be? With 10 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,” De Villiers conceded, 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 said. “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 do much to take it that deep, but as set as they were, they should have finished off the matter with comfort. Both will – and must – be disappointed that they left with nothing, because that late stumble only gives more ammunition to those who feel that South Africa don’t chase with comfort.
The pattern of 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 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.
Miller dashed his side back from the brink, with a helping hand from Morris.
But it was not enough.
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.
The final match of the series starts at midday (SA time), with coverage on Supersport 2 from 11am.