SA’s sharp-shootin’ young guns
N INTERESTING statistic emerged before Sunday’s first ODI between New Zealand and South Africa at Seddon Park.
Even without the injured David Miller, the Proteas boasted 72 ODI hundreds compared to the Black Caps’ 28, with only 12 of those centuries not belonging to former captain Ross Taylor.
The strength of the Proteas’ ODI unit lies in their experienced and powerful batting line-up that boasts some of the world’s best players in Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and, of course, captain AB de Villiers.
But the world’s premier ODI outfit is breeding a crop of young players who are ready to take on the world. The thrilling victory over New Zealand required valuable contributions from three bold and adventurous Under-25s.
It is easy to forget that nearly R10-million-man Kagiso Rabada is only 21-years-old. Only three years ago he was bowling to schoolboys instead of to the Virat Kohlis of this world, like he will in the upcoming IPL.
When the more experienced Chris Morris was being despatched to all parts of Seddon Park at the back-end of the Black Caps’ innings, young Rabada conceded just 20 runs from his final four overs, which included a maiden and two wickets.
In a match decided with one ball remaining, such a performance is worth its weight in gold – or $750 000 to the Delhi Daredevils.
Then there’s Quinton de Kock, Although just 24, the Proteas wicketkeeper/ batsman sits between his seniors Du Plessis and Amla in fifth position on the ICC ODI batsmen’s ranking and has already scored 12 centuries.
De Kock was named man of the match on Sunday for scoring
pictured.
69 off only 64 balls (4x9, 1x6) on a pitch that De Villiers termed “the toughest conditions I’ve ever played in”.
A man of high standards, De Kock was not entirely happy with his performance.
“It was a bit frustrating because I thought I was the guy to bat through and to make sure we won the game. It was disappointing. It wasn’t needed to for me to get out on that occasion,” De Kock said.
Only 20, Andile Phehlukwayo is the rookie of the trio in terms of age and matches played. The Dolphins all-rounder has only played in 11 ODIs and four T20Is, but has amazingly yet to be on the losing side in a Proteas ODI shirt.
His cameo of 29 not out off 23 balls was also not the first time he’s held his nerve. In October he belted the Aussies.
The power Phehlukwayo is able to generate is astonishing for it allows him to smash length balls over the boundary at crucial times, like the two sixes he belted on Sunday. The second six was particularly impressive, for it sailed over the boundary when the Proteas needed it most.
“I was trying to watch the ball and pick the right ball. I was being given a lot of information from AB, in terms of what the bowler was thinking, and what he was trying to do. I just watched the ball and swung really hard,” he said.
“The first one I was just trying to hit the ball straight, I wasn’t that confident. The second one, I knew that it was going for six and I was just really happy that I could execute that well and hopefully I can do that consistently.”
The Proteas will hope these young men keep swinging, for it has added a refreshing dimension to South African cricket.