South African cricket coach Eric Simons admits that he is wary of a Pakistani backlash ahead of the second one day international to be played at St George’s Park on Wednesday.
Simons added Tuesday that the tourists are a far more dangerous prospect than that pitiful performance in Durban suggested.
His sentiments echo those of his Pakistani counterpart Richard Pybus who warned that it would be premature to write off his side as a serious threat.
Simons, nevertheless, was rather perplexed at Pakistan’s total capitulation during Sunday’s game that the hosts won by 132 runs.
”In some ways I was a little surprised in the way they went about their disciplines. I was confused about the way they went about chasing our 272 and when it came to their bowling, I could not work out what plan they might have had.”
The break in between the games, Simons believes, would have allowed the Pakistanis to identify and work on their weaknesses.
”At St George’s Park they’ll be a lot more innovative, a lot harder and far more disciplined. There would have been some harsh words spoken after that Kingsmead game.”
Unsurprisingly, after such a crushing win, the South African selectors are unlikely to announce a radically different playing XI.
”We’ll have a look at the wicket in the morning but when you beat a side as comprehensively as that, I don’t think the side to play in the next game will have many changes.
”That would be making changes just for the sake of change.” Despite that hammering they suffered, Pakistan too are unlikely to make many changes, save that of including express bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
Akhtar missed the first of five ODIs after being banned for a match during their Zimbabwean tour last month.
His inclusion in the side will offer Pakistani captain Waqar Younis even more firepower. It will also give him another option if the selectors decide to opt for the extra bowler.
In Durban Pakistan only had five recognised bowlers. When Jonty Rhodes and Shaun Pollock managed to get among the quicks, Younis had no one left to turn to.
Mohammed Sami, who bowled terrifically quickly at the start of the South African innings, lost his way completely at the end to concede 71 runs.
Those figures were, however, slightly better that those of Abdur Razzaq. Recently returned from injury, Razzaq was savaged at the close as Pollock and Co blasted 77 runs off his ten overs.
South Africa: Shaun Pollock (captain), Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Boeta Dippenaar, Allan Donald, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener, Neil McKenzie, Makhaya Ntini, Jonty Rhodes, Graeme Smith, Monde Zondeki.
Pakistan: Waqar Younis (captain), Inzaman Ul Haq, Yousaf Youhana, Rashid Latif, Taufiq Umar, Salim Elahi, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Faisal Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq, Wasim Akram, Mohammed Sami, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammed Zaid, Misba Ul Haq, Abdur Rassaq. – Sapa