Sisanda Magala. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)
in kimberley
- The Proteas look set to employ a mercurial but exciting attack for the ODI final against England.
- Marco Jansen, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi were the only members of the attack to send a couple of deliveries during Tuesday’s abbreviated training session.
- Stalwart David Miller is confident that South Africa will have the firepower to force a shutout series, regardless of who is in the final XI.
Brace yourselves Northern Cape cricket fans, the Proteas could book one of their most exciting yet mercurial bowling attacks for Wednesday’s ODI final against England here at the Oval.
Rotation has been the name of the game for South Africa in this series, clinched two days ago in Bloemfontein, and there is little indication the practice will change now.
In fact, a group of four-pointers from Marco Jansen, Sisanda Magala, Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj were the only members of the team to inspect what looked like a standard dry surface and send out a few deliveries on the adjacent practice track.
That would suggest, however, that a bowling arsenal brimming with game-breaking ability is in the offing, with the exception of Magala in the first ODI, none of the other three have boasted particularly impressive figures.
But the prospect of everyone getting it right is enticing.
READ | Bavuma says resting Magala, Rabada for England’s second ODI was part of the series plan
As an insurance policy, Wayne Parnell – who is recovering from a blow to his foot – and Lungi Ngidi could also be deployed.
Anrich Nortje is unlikely to play, having already featured in the previous two matches, while Kagiso Rabada’s duty for MI Cape Town when the SA20 resumes on Thursday night could have him preparing for that.
Regardless, Proteas stalwart David Miller is excited by the prospect of a rigged team looking for a 3-0 series shutout.
“Of course, we never want to be a team that sits behind the veil to see how the guys perform. Ultimately, we’re here to win,” said the ironclad finalist, who masterminded the record-breaking 343-run chase. of South Africa in death in Bloemfontein last Sunday.
“We want to win the series 3-0. It’s still important for us to put the right people in the park.”
The irony of that last statement is that “the right people” simply means the most appropriate… and that doesn’t automatically mean it has to be Rabada and company.
“In saying that, our team is incredibly strong,” Miller said.
“We are always producing great cricketers in South Africa and whoever plays, I have no doubt we are going to have a complete team. Being personable and clinical would be the icing on the cake, with the intention of winning 3-0.”
Team management confirmed that Quinton de Kock, who has a sore but unbroken thumb after being hit there during ground maintenance duties in Bloemfontein, is still “under medical observation”.
As a result, Protea is likely to be in the market for a new opening partner for the Temba Bavuma pattern.
Janneman Malan and Reeza Hendricks, the team’s two reserve hitters, were the only men to score into the nets during a shorter practice session.
The first ball will be thrown at 1:00 p.m.
