Heading into the Cricket World Cup, the Proteas find themselves in an unusual situation: their top-order batsmen appear to be in good form, but their typically strong bowling unit is facing challenges.
Injuries have hit the Proteas hard, with Anrich Nortje sidelined and fitness concerns surrounding Sisanda Magala, leaving the fast bowling department struggling to find its rhythm.
This disarray was evident in a warm-up match against New Zealand, where the Proteas bowlers delivered lackluster performances. This raises significant concerns, especially with their opening match against Sri Lanka on the horizon.
Historically, Sri Lanka has been vulnerable to the pace of the Proteas’ fast bowlers across all formats. However, they are poised to exploit any shortcomings if the Proteas’ quicks fail to find their form, potentially leaving the spinners exposed.
When assessing current form, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen have been the standout performers in recent One-Day International (ODI) matches and warm-up games leading to the Cricket World Cup.
Interestingly, the length at which fast bowlers deliver in white-ball matches in India can pose challenges for those accustomed to faster and bouncier pitches. It’s somewhat surprising that bowlers who tend to bowl shorter lengths are doing well, while those who prefer pitching it up are struggling.
One specific concern is the performance of Kagiso Rabada, who may not be entrusted with the new ball due to his recent struggles.
In India, early wickets are crucial, as batting becomes more comfortable as the ball ages. Groundsmen are under pressure to prepare batting-friendly pitches, making life even tougher for bowlers.
The Proteas’ bowlers will need resilience and the ability to bounce back, especially in a tournament format. It’s likely that South Africa will field two frontline spinners, providing no respite for the fast bowlers in the starting XI.
Lizaad Williams, a late addition to the squad, may not feature in the first match. Youngster Gerald Coetzee could miss out initially, with Rabada, Ngidi, and Jansen likely forming the preferred trio of fast bowlers.
Should Rabada rediscover his form, the Proteas will have the potential to field a formidable XI in the Cricket World Cup. However, the challenges and uncertainties in the bowling department make their journey to the knockout stages a test of their resilience and adaptability.
