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Cricket: SA rookies pass the first test of depth

Cricket: SA rookies pass the first test of depth

South Africa’s rookie T20 team pulled off a big win over Australia’s rookie team on Tuesday. While bigger tests are still to come, the future of South African cricket is looking bright. By ANTOINETTE MULLER.

What a strange day it is when Quinton de Kock is a senior batsman and a 19-year old is opening the bowling in a game against Australia. Strange, but not uncomfortable. In Adelaide on Wednesday, South Africa’s “rookie” T20 team walloped Australia by seven wickets in the first of three T20s.

Both teams fielded a somewhat under strength team and while the hosts were arguably far more inexperienced than South Africa, the visitors were also far better in all disciplines. Bowling yorkers at the death? Check. Special fielding? Check. A high score for debutants? Check. Aussie captain Aaron Finch called the fielding “unbelievable” and said that, even from the sidelines, it was special to watch. Before the one-day series against New Zealand a short while ago, ODI skipper AB de Villiers had spoken of looking for that “X-Factor” fielding. That it has come to fruition, even without him present, is a good indication of just how South Africa’s production line and blending of the three teams work. The same goals, the same mindset, the same outcomes, even when the make-up of the sides is completely different.

Those ethics culminated with a comfortable victory on Tuesday, on a flat pitch. Australia won the toss and decided to bat first. The looked like they might post a massive total, but things soon started to unravel. Save for a 57-run stand for the fifth wicket, Australia’s batsmen mostly looked stuck.

Kagiso Rabada, on debut for South Africa, got off to a wayward start, but soon pulled it back. Kyle Abbott, Wayne Parnell and Ryan McLaren were constantly probing while Imran Tahir and JP Duminy turned the pressure screws to force the Aussies into errors. Towards the end of the innings, Abbott and Parnell put on a spell of death bowling not seen since the 1990s, with perfectly executed yorkers that yielded only 28 runs from the last four overs.

In reply, South Africa were fearless and consistent and while another debutant, Reeza Hendricks was dismissed for a duck, Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw put on a 129-run partnership was South Africa’s fourth-highest ever in T20s and the highest for the second wicket.

Most significant was Rossouw’s knock. After being dropped early on, Rossouw made the most of his T20 debut. His 78 off 50 was his highest score in all T20s and the fourth highest T20i score on debut. It might have come against a weakened attack, but this innings shows the value in keeping the faith in young talent. Having had a dismal start in the one-day format, Rossouw finally showed what he is capable of.

While Rossouw’s stats have now proven something, he’s already into the mindset of thinking about the team and his self-belief is down to the way he’s been supported by the players around him.

“That comes down to team dynamics. The team is really supportive. Even though I have been through some rough times, the team has been there for me, I can always lean on someone, ask for help. They’ve been there for me and that’s how I’ve kept positive,” Rossouw said.

“It’s not a case of proving myself, I just want to do well for the team and on the day I want to give my all for the Proteas and South Africa. If, come the end of the summer, I’m still in the side, I’ll be very pleased,” he added.

It has come through consistency in selection, something South Africa has been very good at lately. It would have been easy to discard Rossouw and send him back to domestic cricket school, but instead, South Africa persisted. Nurturing young talent as part of planning ahead is a hallmark of the current South African set-up. While Rossouw was romping along, evidence of just what an impact consistency in selection can have. Just over a year ago, De Kock looked completely out of his depth in Sri Lanka and on Tuesday, he was one of the senior batsmen in a match-winning partnership. Despite still cracking on at pace, De Kock toned down his usual theatrics just a bit. Both batted with maturity and patience beyond their years and number of caps. If the aim of this series is to plan for the future, then South Africa’s future is looking pretty bright. DM

Photo: Wayne Parnell. (REUTERS)

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