Stubbs could be SA’s ace in pack
Wunderkind has potential to be a major weapon in SA’s arsenal for world showpiece
Wunderkind Tristan Stubbs has the potential to be the trump card for the Proteas, who begin their bid for a maiden T20 World Cup title on the back of an indifferent build-up.
The 22-year old batsman, who at the beginning of the year wasn’t even in the picture to make the World Cup squad, is in red-hot form, which suggests he could hit the right notes on the biggest stage of his fledgling career.
As the Proteas kick off their group stage campaign against neighbours Zimbabwe at Blundstone Arena in Hobart tomorrow morning, Stubbs is set to be a major weapon in their arsenal who can do the job if the top guys fail to perform.
Andre du Plessis, who coached Stubbs at junior level at Eastern Province, has watched his progress with a hawk’s eye from 2016 to 2020, when Stubbs graduated to the Warriors first team.
“It’s a big stage obviously, but he has a very cool head,” Du Plessis said. “I think he will do the job for us if he gets the opportunity to play. He is definitely our trump card in the batting line-up.
“He has got the ability and the skill as well. Another great thing about Stubbs is that he thrives under pressure.”
The youngster, who was schooled at Grey High in Gqeberha, gives coach Mark Boucher an option in the line-up that arrived in Australia after a horrid tour of India where they lost both the T20 and ODI series 2-1.
Captain Temba Bavuma’s poor form has been a big concern and his opening partner Quinton de Kock has had his struggles.
But a batsman like Stubbs can provide the required support to trusted David Miller and equally important Aiden Markram. While he didn’t get enough opportunity to bat in India, there’s no doubt about what Stubbs can achieve and his T20 strike rate of 191.89 from six knocks singles him out as a big hitter.
His experience in the Indian Premier League, where he played for the Mumbai Indians, and in The Hundreds tournament in England, where he turned out for Manchester Originals, has helped prepare him for the biggest stage.
Stubbs’ former Warriors teammate, Proteas player Jon-Jon Smuts, recalled how the youngster made an instant impression in his first franchise match for Warriors against the Lions two years ago.
“I think in his first ball in professional cricket ... he hit Kagiso Rabada for a six. He took the stage with a big storm and he hasn’t looked back since ...
“I was excited when he was selected to the Warriors first team for that first T20 domestic competition and he took the stage with a huge hit,” Smuts said, adding Stubbs could win SA a few games Down Under.
“He has shown what he is capable of in the two games he has played for South Africa. I think his power hitting and his boundary capabilities are up there with the best in the world,” Smuts said.
“He is an exciting talent and I think he is going to do wonders for the Proteas in this World Cup.
“He needs to continue doing what he has been doing, go out to express himself and, most importantly, have fun because when he is in that mode he plays his best cricket,” he said.
“I think he could do wonders for us at this World Cup. He will enjoy those Australian wickets and he is going to win us a few games there.”
The Proteas’ preparations for the tournament were not aided by their warm-up match against Bangladesh which was abandoned due to rain on Wednesday.
But they will be encouraged by the way they played against New Zealand in their other warm-up clash on Monday, claiming a nine-wicket victory with 52 balls to spare.
Other than the batting, the Proteas look ready for the tournament and going there as one of the dark horses might be a good thing for them.
They probably have one of the best bowling attack squads in the world right now. They just need their batters to come to the party to boost their chances to bring the trophy home.
The Proteas’ first opponent, Zimbabwe, played good cricket to top Group B of the qualifiers while two-time West Indies got knocked out.
Zimbabwe’s all-rounder Sikandar Raza will be a player to watch as he is in great form.
He was crucial to Zimbabwe’s success in the qualifiers, notching player of the match in the victories against Ireland and Scotland.
Of concern is that the game might not be played due to expected heavy rain. The forecast for Hobart is for 90% rain tomorrow.
A top-two finish in Group 2 will see the Proteas book their spot in the semifinals of the world showpiece.
This will be Boucher’s last tournament as coach as he is set to coach Mumbai Indians after the showpiece.