/ 28 March 2013

Bold overs: Proteas at their best

Bold Overs: Proteas At Their Best

The Proteas spent the whole of 2012 on the road touring New Zealand, England and Australia en route to becoming the best Test team in the world. They were finally able to display their wares in front of home audiences at the beginning of 2013 and, certainly as far as Test cricket was concerned, did not disappoint.

The one-day international (ODI)team is a work in progress, but victory in the final match of the season to seal a 3:2 victory over Pakistan is surely a sign that the team is heading in the right direction. Coach Gary Kirsten's aim for the season was to establish depth in both batting and bowling ranks. That has been achieved.

Most prophetic prediction:
"We know our game's much better in the limited-overs formats, so I'm sure we'll be much more competitive in the ODIs than we were in the Tests."

Most doubted prediction:
"We will be much more competitive in the ODIs than we were in the Tests."

One-man team award:
Nobody dominated a match as singularly as Martin Guptill, whose unbeaten 101 from 69 balls won the second T20 at Buffalo Park for the Black Caps.

Greatest irony:
"It's an opportunity for me to work on my captaincy." — AB de Villiers explaining the decision to give the keeper's gloves to Quinton de Kock for the New Zealand ODI series. He was subsequently suspended for a slow over rate.

Most progress made:
Ryan McLaren is neither a flashy cricketer nor a flashy person, but that should never count against him when selecting the best XI. A regular wicket-taker with the best variety of disguised slower balls in the country, he is a fixture on the ODI team. For now, anyway.

Worst-kept secret:
Jacques Kallis's participation in the Champions Trophy in England in June. "We reserve the right to select Jacques as a 'wild card'," said Kirsten, only half jokingly.

Kallis, meanwhile, remains determined to end his international career with selection to the squad, which will contest the 2015 World Cup. So why on earth would he not be selected for the "mini" World Cup?

Best off-the-record quote:
"He's just not fit enough. Everyone knows it, but it's a bit of an elephant in the room."

Best innings bowling analysis:
There are plenty to choose from, starting with Vernon Philander's jaw-dropping 6-3-7-5 as New Zealand were butchered for 45 in the first Test at Newlands. Or how about Dale Steyn's 13-5-17-5 in the second Test at St George's Park? Not even close.

Nothing compares with Steyn's eye-popping 8.1-6-8-6. Yes, read them again — just so that they sink in.

Best on-the-record quote:
"It doesn't last long. You take 6-8 and then it's over. Next thing, you're sitting in the change room and everyone's forgotten." Not quite, Dale.

Best match bowling analysis:
Steyn again, following his 6-8 with 5-52 in the second innings to complete a career-best 11-60, a South African record fifth 10-wicket match haul.

Safe hands:
Alviro Petersen snaffled a few blinders at third slip and Graeme Smith caught everything that came his way in five Test matches with not a single drop or even fumble by the Proteas Test captain. He provided a collector's item in the fourth ODI by dropping a high chance off Rory Kleinveldt's bowling to relieve Younis Khan. But nothing compares with the world record of 11 catches bagged by AB de Villiers in the first Test against Pakistan.

Most unlikely supporter:
"Of course, he can keep wicket and bat in the top five. He's easily talented enough to do both. It's all in the mind. If there's any reluctance, then he probably won't be at his best at either job, but if he wants to do both, then there's no reason why he can't be exceptional at both." — Former England wicketkeeper/batsman and captain, Alec Stewart.

Best statistic:
In the 136-year history of Test cricket, only 20 teams have been dismissed for less than 50. Since pitches were routinely covered more than 40 years ago and batting became considerably easier, it has happened only six times. The current Proteas have done it three times in the space of 15 months, to Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan.

Best shot:
The Kallis cover drive is a classic oil painting, the Smith on drive is an old, trusty Land Rover and Hashim Amla's flick through midwicket is an orchid. The De Villiers reverse sweep is a chocolate truffle, but his six over extra cover, off the back foot, is sadomasochistic sex at its most thrilling. Take your pick. But it is hard to ignore McLaren's final ball, scoop-sweep for six over fine leg to win the final one-dayer against New Zealand.

Straight talkers of the season:
Jacques Faul and Will Basson. The acting chief executive and president of Cricket South Africa (CSA) did not just tell it like it is on home soil, they shocked a few crooked-talking stalwarts at International Cricket Council (ICC) meetings by refusing merely to accept the status quo. Let us hope that Chris Nenzani and whoever is appointed full-time chief executive continue the good work.

Most expensive appointment:
​No, it is not Norman Arendse as lead "independent" board director. If CSA follows its instincts and appoints Haroon Lorgat as chief executive, India's vindictive retribution could run to hundreds of millions of rand. As head of the ICC for four years, Lorgat refused to be cowed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India's bullying.