Sporting ‘momentum’ still counts for a lot, and always will, but not as much as it used to. With as many as six or even seven changes in personnel from the T20 side which was ruthlessly brushed aside 3-0, there is every reason to believe – and hope – that the contest will be far closer when the five-match ODI series begins at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Thursday.
“To put it bluntly we were outplayed in both departments throughout the series, there were some lights at the end of the tunnel and we improved as we went along, and there were some parts of our blueprint which shone through, particularly in the batting department, but there’s no hiding or running away from the results,” said head coach Rob Walter on Sunday.
Quinton de Kock’s return to the top order and the addition of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller to the middle order should make a huge difference to the home side’s batting output but it was the Proteas’ bowling which was even more ruthlessly exposed by Mitch Marsh’s Australian team which won all three T20s by the daunting margins of 111-runs, eight-wickets and five-wickets.
“Their batting skill was better than what we had to offer with the ball. It can be hard when you’re up against the same batters two days later but I’ll never question the hard work and diligence that they put in, but we learned a hard lesson about not executing our skills. When we were inaccurate they really punished us,” Walter said.
“Our bowling was put under serious pressure and the reality is that we weren’t up to it. There are some major learnings for us to take away from this,” Walter said.
Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje will return to spearhead the pace attack with Marco Jansen also returning following a leave of absence after the first T20 International. Wayne Parnell’s experience will also be available although Sisanda Magala is battling to shake off a knee injury.
“The five, senior guys will be back for the one-dayers and it will be great to have their energy and experience back into the fray. They will be five, really big games in the build-up to World Cup, we’re building on the way we’ve played the game so far. I’m excited for that squad to come together and I’m looking forward to five, keenly contested matches. It’s an exciting prospect and I think we’re going to have an awesome series,” Walter said.
The Australians, too, have made changes although not as comprehensive as South Africa’s. Allrounder Cameron Green undoubtedly strengthens their XI as does seasoned pace bowler, Josh Hazlewood. Marnus Labuschagne was not originally selected for the series but will be keen to make an impression and push for a last-minute place in their World Cup squad having been called up as injury replacement for Steve Smith. The addition of T20 ‘specialist’ Tim David to the ODI squad is also a daunting prospect for opposition bowlers.
The announcement of the WC squad before the series begins will remove the possibility of damaging, internal competition between the players but, at the same time, everybody knows the final 15 can still be amended and tweaked right up until September 27.
“There are always tough calls to make in announcing a squad – the better your system is, the better the player who is missing out. If we’ve got good players missing out it means our system is strong and it means our squad is strong. Not all of the younger guys will get a go, obviously, but giving them games in international cricket gives us the information we need about helping them grow.
“The core of the group knows who they are and we have been together for a decent period of time now so to compete in the five-match series gives us an opportunity to lay down the way we want to play the game, so we’re looking forward to it,” Walter said.
AUSTRALIA ODI SQUAD:
Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wkt), Alex Carey (wkt), Ashton Turner, Mitchell Marsh (captain), Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Marnus Labuschagne, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Tanveer Sangha, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa.
SOUTH AFRICA ODI SQUAD:
Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock (wkt), Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Sisanda Magala, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.