For many a South African cricket fan, a word that immediately comes to mind in the recent past to describe their act is unpredictable.
Yes, unpredictable much like a client’s mind which becomes more than a reason for the quintessential agency professional to start palpitating in the rigorous field of communication.
Perhaps its not a surprise as South African cricket has always succeeded to deceive the faithful in their hour of need with the T20 WC debacle last year as well as the ill-fated Test drubbing at the hands of the Australians, both down under.
Having said this, when the virus of unpredictability is eradicated with the vaccine of purpose, the result is certainty through a word called rejuvenation. Well, SA20, the Mzansi’s very own version of the IPL has helped the Proteas to achieve this to a fair extent.
And as a result, the performance of the Green and Gold has soared to a degree of relief with the recent 2-1 ODI series victory over the Poms further cementing their chances of a seamless march to Mission India 2023.
The Proteas unit has undoubtedly come together in this recent England excursion to show purpose with some individual stand out performances adding much sheen to their arsenal.
Terrific Temba leads by example
Having been snubbed by the six franchises in the SA20, the South African limited overs skipper had a point to prove after a rather downward spiral in his form and boy did, he make his comeback in style.
With amassing 180 runs in the series at a strike rate of 115 including a century in the second ODI, this dynamite certainly regained his batting form which also aided him in captaincy, having made some astute decisions not only at the toss but in the field which ascended his team to the deserved success.
Apart from Bavuma, Miller, Klaasen and Van der Dussen also contributed with much drive giving a lot of credibility to the South African batting.
From a bowling standpoint, Anrich Nortje continued his determination to become one of the leading pacemen in world cricket picking up an impressive six wickets in the series at 21 apiece.
Credit must also be given to the English duo of Butler and Malan who single-handedly earned the Poms a well-deserved victory in the third ODI avoiding a South African white wash.
The 2-1 series win puts the Proteas in a commanding position enroute to Mission India 2023
Before the England series began, there were talks in the South African cricketing circles about the Proteas having to play in the ODI World Cup qualification tournament scheduled later in the year in Zimbabwe.
Truth be told, this wasn’t surprising as South Africa was languishing in the bottom half of the ODI Super League table amid unpredictable form. Well, as mentioned at the beginning of this piece, purpose in defeating England has changed this scenario with the Proteas now leapfrogging to the ninth position in the table, one below the West Indies.
They now just need to conquer the Netherlands in the upcoming two-match ODI series and will then jump over the men from the Caribbean to number eight, giving them automatic qualification to Mission India 2023 (ODI World Cup).
With the purpose, the form, and the rejuvenated attitude this team from the southern shore of Africa is demonstrating, one wouldn’t lose too much sweat over the qualification process and could also hope for some silverware.
Until then, every South African faithful including me in the famous song of Liverpool FC needs to always reassure the Proteas that ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
