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I have been watching the way we go about singing a new tune at the end of every game the Protea’s play at this world cup. It is a little bit disappointing how little the on looker knows about the gentlemen’s game. While in the game of cricket planning ahead (premeditating) can easily be to your teams undoing, I do believe that with the current batting line up ( in the last game) I believe the following roles need to be assumed.
Hashim Amla has an incredible ability to keep the scoreboard ticking while maintaining a high strike rate, when he bats for long he anchors the proteas innings better than any other. When he goes out cheaply he puts pressure on the middle order.
Quinton De Kock – reminds me of Herschelle Gibbs - a fine stroke player who can clear the inner ring and score really fast at the beginning of an innings – This role needs to be managed very carefully especially given QDK’s age and future. While his form may be a little worrying to the selectors, when he comes right the runs come fast.
Faf Du Plessis is a class player. His flair and running between the wickets are ideal traits of somebody seen as a backbone to the innings. Faf need not play a T20-like innings in when he bats, he is a stroke player and runs come quicker to him after time spent at the crease. He needs to look to be patient and bat through while the others around him play.
AB is a natural stroke player - The best ODI batsman in the world - He needs to loosen up a little. Play every innings by feel. AB can play a conservative innings very well yet he holds the record for the fastest 50, 100 and 150! AB knows how to read a situation and knows how to unleash – he needs to hone this and not put himself and more especially the team under pressure.
David Miller, at the modest age of 25 (soon to be 26) is seen as SA’s go to guy when the going is tough. With his powerful swash buckling skills he can take a game away from the opposition - provided he has a few balls to get his eye in. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to elevate him up the order every now and then. Let him build an innings before he launches his assault. This would do his confidence the world of good.
Rilee Rossouw is a talented young man whose powerful stroke playing continues to warm the hearts of many-a-protea fan. He has taken some time to get going but since coming in for JP, I think he has carved a spot for himself in the protea batting line up.
JP Duminy. While no one can argue how good a batsman JP is, he has a tendency to hang himself with the rope he is given by the captain in his batting. He is more than a capable batsman and should maybe look to batting at seven assuming the all-rounder position.
Whether the protea top order will need to chase down a total or set a high one for opposition to chase, the batting line up is more than well equipped to do so. SA did not play according to their roles against India, but with back-to-back 400 plus totals in their next two games, they seem to know exactly what is expected of them. Confidence in their ability and a wealth of support back at home the boys can bring the cup home.
