Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Bacher airs his views on AB, Proteas
Former SA cricket boss Ali Bacher on Proteas’ World Cup failure and De Villiers’ U-turn
FORMER South African captain and an administrator of the United Cricket Board of South Africa, Dr Ali Bacher, isn’t surprised by the Proteas’ poor performance at the 2019 ICC World Cup in England and Wales.
South Africa were eliminated from the tournament last Sunday after a 49-run defeat to Pakistan at Lord’s.
“I anticipated even before the start of the tournament that we wouldn’t go far and we wouldn’t make to the semi-finals,” said Bacher.
A lack of experience in the team cost them dearly, he added.
“In the past few years we have three superstars, one being AB de Villiers,
right. He is one of the best players we’ve ever had. He is as good as Graeme Pollock or Barry Richards. He isn’t there.
“Hashim Amla is unique and one of the greatest batsmen South Africa has ever had. Two-and-a-half years ago, he was averaging over 50. But he has come to the end of a great career.
“And then, Dale Steyn is the best fast bowler this country has ever had, and he is not there either. These three in essence are not around and you cannot replace them overnight.
“In addition, there are a lot of young players in the team who have just started their international cricket careers.
“If you look at teams like Australia, India, and England, some of their key players have played over 100 one-day international matches. They’re tough competitors, and have experience in that tough environment. Our young players are inexperienced at that level of cricket.”
Bacher said the Proteas have been over-playing fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, and that has reflected in his sub-standard performances at this year’s World Cup.
“I had a chat with Kagiso when I was in the UK, we stayed in the same hotel. I told him, ‘Listen here: you are over-bowled, you can’t play every important match. Your body won’t take it, you will break down’.”
“In Australia, so many of the good, young, fast bowlers get lower-back injuries because they are overplayed.
“Kagiso has got to be carefully managed because he’s our crown jewel. They have to handle him carefully, play him at the right time and rest him.
“He can’t go on like this, he will eventually burn out because he is only 24 years old.”
However, Bacher remains optimistic about the Proteas’ future.
“There is top talent in this team, there is no question. Players like Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj and Quinton de Kock are young players who have immense potential.
“Give them two or three years on the highest level and they will come through.
“We’re starting a new era. It will be tough for the next couple of years but we need to be patient.”
He urged South African cricket fans to be patient with the team.
“It’s been disappointing but it hasn’t been unexpected for me. This country needs to take a deep breath and give these young players time.
“I have confidence that with the players we have we can be a formidable team over the next two or three years.”
Bacher also believes Cricket SA had done the right thing by not selecting De Villiers in the World Cup squad.
De Villiers, who retired from all forms of international cricket in 2018, reportedly made a last-ditch effort to make himself available for South Africa last month.
“I am AB’s biggest supporter, but you cannot do what he did and expect to be chosen at the last minute,” Bacher said.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, players don’t have the right to do that. Cricket South Africa had every right to turn him down.”