Barnes ensures Mzansi has large stock of fast bowlers
● SA’s fast bowling riches that have been on display in the two Tests against Pakistan could be an indication of a healthy pipeline.
In some periods, like this season, that’s the case. But in others, the well does run dry.
An example was the 2017-18 season in which only four pacemen (Anrich Nortje, Tladi Bokako, Lizaad Williams and Malusi Siboto) were in a top 10 Four-Day Franchise bowling list dominated by spinners.
The top three wicket-takers were spinners, something that prompted action from Cricket SA’s high performance manager and former bowling coach, Vincent Barnes.
“In October 2017, we met with the franchise coaches and the top brass because our fast-bowling stocks were a concern. We were an injury away from a crisis and we had Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander injured.
“That’s when we decided to start a fastbowling group and through the season, we tested bowlers and prepared bowlers for Test cricket. We tested all of them, including the main ones,” Barnes said.
“All the bowlers are consistently monitored in all aspects and if there’s anything needed from a technical side, there’s liaising between me and the coaches. It’s an ongoing process but we know we have a great battery of bowlers with the guys playing at Newlands and those who are injured.”
Lungi Ngidi’s injury and Philander missing the first Test gave Duanne Olivier the chance to shine to the tune of 15 wickets at the time of going to print. Olivier and Dane Paterson, who’s in the squad, have paid their First Class dues. Paterson first made waves in the 2014-15 season when he was the leading Four-Day Franchise series wicket-taker with 42 scalps at 22.54.
There were eight other pacemen in the top 10 that included Kagiso Rabada, Hardus Viljoen and Chris Morris (all capped Test players). In both the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, there were six fast bowlers in the top 10 but Olivier made his presence felt with 47 and 52 sticks respectively in those seasons.
After some middling years, Paterson roared back in the 2018-19 season with 33 scalps at 20.93 in six matches.
There’s also the likes of the injured Nortje, the consistently excellent Andrew Birch, the rejuvenated Beuran Hendricks and the upand-coming Lutho Sipamla.
Barnes said bowlers have to be patient because of the current strength in depth.
“It’s taken Duanne two years of consistent performances to get a crack and you can’t play six fast bowlers in a team. There’s a good competition for places and Duanne has stepped up and taken his opportunity,”
‘There’s a young group of bowlers I’m really excited about. They’ve been impressive’
Barnes said.
“The rest of the guys will have to do well in the domestic competition and start pushing selectors to look in their direction. The competition is tough and some guys are doing well.”
Barnes, who attended the Khaya Majola Under-19 Week in Cape Town at the end of last year and is also at the CSA Franchise Cubs Week in Stellenbosch, is best placed to identify where the next crop of fast bowlers will be coming from.
“There’s a young group of bowlers we tested that I’m really excited about that are under-19s. They’ve been impressive and they could be pushing for senior provincial places or franchise contracts.”