More bowling blues as Proteas slip to series defeat in Jamaica
SA’s inexperienced middle order failed to build on an outrageous start by their openers, allowing the West Indies to claim a 16-run victory in the second T20 International, thereby wrapping up the series with one match to play.
Despite an opening partnership of 81 in just five overs, the Proteas got bogged down by the West Indies’ spinners, Roston Chase and Gudakesh Motie, falling short of their target of 208 at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday night.
While a series loss is never good for confidence, that SA’s entire middle order for the World Cup is missing this series because of the Indian Premier League, with three other likely starters including skipper Aiden Markram, lends some perspective.
“There are no concerns [about the World Cup]. We don’t have a full-strength team, [though] that’s not an excuse,” said Quinton de Kock.
“In my international career, I think we’ve won every series going into a World Cup but we’ve never won a World Cup. So from that experience, I don’t know, maybe it will do something good for us. Hopefully it does.
“For me, [the series loss] doesn’t mean much.”
“We’re not too happy with that bowling performance. We let them get 20 runs too many again,” said SA’s stand-in skipper, Rassie van der Dussen.
“Our seamers couldn’t find answers for their batters. We left a few runs out there and then we were under pressure with the bat.”
Of major concern will be the form and confidence of Anrich Nortjé, who conceded 47 runs in his four overs and failed to take a wicket, though he did have Chase dropped by debutant Nqaba Peter in the 18th over. While Nortjé might count himself unlucky, with Chase executing superbly, including a reverse flick past third man for four, the fast bowler struggled with his line.
The back problems that caused him to miss all of last season may be a thing of the past but he seems to still be learning to trust himself.
SA started reasonably well with the ball, with Bjorn Fortuin dismissing Johnson Charles for 7. But Nortjé, who’d conceded 13 runs in the third over, then went for 16 in the sixth as West Indies notched up 51 runs in the power play.
Peter, 21, who caught the eye for the Lions in the T20 Challenge, grabbed a wicket with his fourth ball, when he had West Indies’ stand-in skipper Brandon King caught at long on for 36, allowing the Proteas to maintain a measure of control. He finished with 2/32, once again impressing with his control, while Fortuin picked up 1/21.
De Kock smashed his way back into some form, making 41 off 17 balls with some violent shot-making that included four sixes. With Reeza Hendricks, who employed more elegant methods in making 34 off 18, the openers sought to provide a start that would relieve some pressure on a batting order missing the power and experience of David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen and Tristan Stubbs.
