Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Skipper AB keen to quell Sri Lanka optimism after T20 series victory
SRI LANKA are kicking and screaming again. The tourists, who for so long on this tour of South Africa during the Test series seemed to be on life support, confirmed their resurgence in the grandest manner with a historic T20 series victory earlier this week.
This group of young and inexperienced Sri Lankans is the first from the island to accomplish a series victory of any form in South Africa – a feat that had previously eluded legends like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Marvan Atapattu and current convener of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya.
The fact that rookies, among them 23- year- old Niroshan Dickwella held their composure in the thrilling finale at Newlands without injured skipper Angelo Mathews further multiplied the magnitude of the achievement.
But having made his return to international cricket after a six-month injury lay-off in that five-wicket defeat, Proteas captain AB de Villiers needs no further warning that his team can ill afford to be complacent in the series-opening ODI in Port Elizabeth today. In fact, he admires the tourists’ youthful exuberance as it takes him back to early on in his career with the Proteas.
“The Sri Lankans came back really well. They played some good cricket over the last two matches. They are a motivated group of young players,” De Villiers, who has reclaimed the ODI captaincy from Faf du Plessis, told the media at St George’s Park yesterday.
“I’ve been part of one or two groups of young players. I know that feeling of motivation. I remember in Australia when we played them in an ODI series after Graeme (Smith), ( Jacques) Kallis and a few guys were injured, and some of them were rested; we were so motivated, and we ended up winning 4-1.
“Even though we feel we’re more talented, more skilful, and a better group of players than Sri Lanka, we know they are very dangerous.
“There’s lots of young talent there that can come good at certain times.
“We’re well aware of that and we know we have to play some very good cricket to beat them.”
To compound matters, South Africa have lost one of their own prodigies for this series, with 20-year-old fast bowler Lungi Ngidi being ruled out for three to four weeks after sustaining a left abdominal muscle wall injury after falling badly at Newlands.
Ngidi was sensational during the opening two T20s and would have been looking for- ward to continuing his progress on the international stage during this ODI series.
With Kyle Abbott relinquishing his place in the national team after signing a Kolpak contract and senior pacemen Dale Steyn and Morné Morkel still out injured, Ngidi would have attempted to bowl himself into contention for a possible place in the 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy later this year.
“It’s amazing how it keeps happening. The minute you’re thinking there goes that guy, and that guy, young talent just keeps coming through. It speaks volumes for the depth of talent we have in our country. From all races and cultures, the talent just keeps coming through,” said De Villiers.
“It’s great to see him (Ngidi) come through. He’s got a great future.
“We as senior players, the management, need to manage him really well. He’s got a long road to travel but the talent is there. The mind is certainly there.
“He’s got a great head on his shoulders. I think mentally he’s really strong. He showed that in the last few games.
“Unfortunately, he’s had a really bad fall in the last T20 which is some kind of abdominal muscle strain, but it’s very exciting to see him come through. There is lots of potential there.”
However, even after taking all this into account, South Africa should possess too much firepower at St George’s Park today if the weather holds – the forecast does indicate showers again after the drizzle yesterday morning – due to the return of De Villiers, Du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy and Kagiso Rabada.
The senior men would have enjoyed their well-earned rest after their Test series exertions and will be looking to create some early momentum to immediately quell any feelgood factor the Sri Lankans may be experiencing after their T20 series triumph.