Creativity the name of the game as Proteas prepare for ODI series
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s limited overs experimentation continued in Colombo yesterday with some different combinations, a few different positions, and even an unusual exclusion.
The SA public is being asked to buy all this while coach Ottis Gibson and national selection convener Linda Zondi assess players and combinations for next year’s World Cup.
The experimentation is expected to continue in Sri Lanka over the course of the five-match ODI series that starts on Sunday, but there will need to be some explaining given some of the decisions yesterday as the Proteas beat a local Board XI in the only warm-up match.
Heinrich Klaasen, according to the team’s spokesperson, did not play because he was being “rested” with a tight groin. Other than training and carrying drinks, Klaasen’s not had much of a workload in Sri Lanka so would have been disappointed his groin let him down at a stage when he is desperate to prove his credentials.
As a result, SA had to get a little creative, shifting opener Reeza Hendricks to No 7, a position Klaasen will be targeting as he aims to build on the good case he made for himself against India last summer.
Hendricks equipped himself reasonably well in that unaccustomed position, making 59 off 54 balls with eight boundaries.
He was part of a vital rescue mission after South Africa’s top order - skipper Faf du Plessis aside - again battled.
Two players who could have done with a “rest” after their struggles in the Test matches, Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla, made nought and 16 respectively and their confidence is badly in need of rebuilding before the weekend.
Aiden Markram, who also experienced plenty of problems in the Tests, slotted in at No 4 but lasted just one ball before being run out, leaving the tourists in an early hole against a side who’s bowling unit had very limited international experience.
Markram needs more opportunities at four as Zondi and Gibson try to fill the void left by AB de Villiers, but it may be prudent for them at some stage to give Dave Miller a chance there, too. Perhaps that’s an experiment that will be tried later in the series.
Du Plessis’ 71 held the innings together initially until Miller (40), Hendricks and then Wiaan Mulder 56 (57b, 8x4) gave it some much needed impetus in the latter stages, helping the Proteas to 293.
Mulder made the biggest impact, adding three wickets with the ball to that half-century and further impressing the national coach, who has made no secret of his fondness for the 20-year-old all-rounder.
“It was match where if you stood out, you could put your name in the hat for the matches coming up and I was fortunate I had a decent day in the field,” said Mulder.
“Today was special for me because that’s what you want to accomplish as an all-rounder.”
Tabraiz Shamsi also picked up three wickets, while Keshav Maharaj bowled five overs but went wicketless.
The first ODI against Sri Lanka is in Dambulla on Sunday.