Sport

Sport

Five things we learned from the South Africa vs New Zealand cricket series

Five things we learned from the South Africa vs New Zealand cricket series

South Africa beat New Zealand by 62 runs in the third and final one-day international in Durban on Wednesday night. While the context of this series left much to be desired, there were a few lessons in it for South Africa. By ANTOINETTE MULLER.

At the start of the series the question was: what exactly is the point of it all? The answer was quite simply: not much. With the series between South Africa and New Zealand holding no contextual relevance whatsoever, the purpose of playing cricket in winter, with outfields so dry curators had to paint them green, seemed hard to find.

While that still holds largely true, South Africa might have a few more answers to questions that have been lingering in the back of their minds over selection. Other questions have simply been illuminated. South Africa bounced back from their defeat in Potchefstroom to win the third and final one-day international in Durban and clinch a 2-1 series victory over New Zealand. The Proteas now have to wait a few months before they head to India for a 72-day tour and then return home to host England.

Here are five things we learned from the series.

Farhaan Behardien does have something

While nobody will argue that Farhaan Behardien is only modestly talented, selectors obviously saw something in him. What that was nobody knew until this series. In Potchefstroom, when South Africa had their backs against the wall, Behardien played one of the best knocks of his career. He followed that up with another decent effort in Durban, hitting a brisk 40 off 28, coming down lower down the order. The two knocks, completely different in nature, showed he does have some versatility. It also showed that sometimes patience and consistency in selection do pay off. Whether that innings in Potch was what he needed to gain some confidence only time will tell, for now, at least he has shown that the selectors aren’t completely mad to keep picking him.

South Africa still struggle when the pressure is on

In the first one-day international, which South Africa nearly lost, and the second one, where they fell flat, New Zealand had piled heaps of pressure on them. While some of that was simply a ‘bad day at the office’, the elementary errors showed that when the pressure is on, South Africa still struggle and it’s not a struggle that is exclusive to the World Cup. It might just be one of those things – like Pakistan collapsing when chasing or how England always lose to Ireland – but if they want to have any hope of clinching silverware during the World Twenty20 next year, it’s something they need to sort out quickly.

David Wiese might not quite be ready for one-day internationals yet

David Wiese is an accomplished cricketer. On the domestic scene, he can single handedly turn a game on its head. At international level, however, he has struggled. Not being able to hold catches, poor shot selection and erring with his line and length have meant he has looked completely out of his depth in this series. With a stature that should intimidate many, instead Wiese has looked awkward, as if his limbs are too long for his body. It’s not exactly helped South Africa with their number seven selection conundrum, although, with Behardien finding his swagger and JP Duminy due to return to the team, perhaps that conundrum has solved itself.

Kagiso Rabada is the real deal

If there were any doubts over Kagiso Rabada has what it takes, those have surely been settled. His raw pace, backed up with genuine control is evidence of a really talented player. He is still young and will make mistakes along the way, but all the signs point towards Rabada having a long and illustrious career ahead of him.

Imran Tahir is still one of South Africa’s best bets in limited overs

Imran Tahir’s ability to slow the game down, take wickets and break partnerships is immense. While there are still plenty of doubts over his form in Test cricket, in limited overs his worth is unparalleled. South Africa’s spin cupboard is suddenly stacked with a few good bowlers, but Tahir should be the first name on the team sheet whenever it comes to 50 and 20 over cricket. DM

Photo: South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada (2nd R) congratulates team mate Farhaan Behardien (28) after he caught out New Zealand’s Nathan McCullum during their first ODI cricket match in Centurion, August 19, 2015. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Third one-day international scorecard summary:

South Africa 283-7: Morné van Wyk 58 (100), AB de Villiers 64 (48); Ben Wheeler 10-0-71-3, Grant Elliott 10-0-41-2

New Zealand 221 all out: Tom Latham 54 (74), Kane Williamson 39 (59); Kagiso Rabada 10-1-33-2, Imran Tahir 10-0-36-2

Gallery

Please peer review 3 community comments before your comment can be posted

We would like our readers to start paying for Daily Maverick...

…but we are not going to force you to. Over 10 million users come to us each month for the news. We have not put it behind a paywall because the truth should not be a luxury.

Instead we ask our readers who can afford to contribute, even a small amount each month, to do so.

If you appreciate it and want to see us keep going then please consider contributing whatever you can.

Support Daily Maverick→
Payment options

Become a Maverick Insider

This could have been a paywall

On another site this would have been a paywall. Maverick Insider keeps our content free for all.

Become an Insider

Every seed of hope will one day sprout.

South African citizens throughout the country are standing up for our human rights. Stay informed, connected and inspired by our weekly FREE Maverick Citizen newsletter.