Dwaine Pretorius’ ‘pink’ spell isn’t great news for Wayne Parnell

Last week it seemed Wayne Parnell was going to have an extended stay in the Proteas side.

AB de Villiers, his one-day captain, did, after all, say he’s “done fantastically well”.

But in Saturday’s third and “pink” ODI against Sri Lanka at the Wanderers, something bad happened – Dwaine Pretorius.

Also read: Reckless Sri Lanka stung by AB de Villiers on buzzing ‘pink day’

The Highveld Lions all-rounder, playing at his homeground, replaced his inconsistent teammate and ended with fine figures of 3/19.

That’s not good news for Parnell.

While he’s taken five wickets in the two matches he’s played in the series to date, the 27-year-old lacks the control of Pretorius’ bowling.

The national selectors can’t ignore that fact.

South Africa’s bowling attack is currently loaded with strike bowlers in Kagiso Rabada, Chris Morris and Parnell.

None of them naturally try to keep the runs down.

Good international sides need a guy who turns off the tap and Pretorius is a man who’s perfected that art in franchise cricket.

In fact, if ever there was a thinking man’s cricketer, it’s him.

And he showed it at the Wanderers.

“The Sri Lankan batters are really good if you give them width,” said Pretorius.

“I tried to keep it tight and bowl at the top of off-stump. With the extra bounce in the wicket, it worked quite well. That’s the way it works at the Wanderers. If you’re going to be a bit more conservative in your line, the Wanderers’ bounce will reward you.”

But he doesn’t only follow his own rather sage advice.

“AB told me to use my bouncer and I did. It worked well for some variety. I was glad he was there to advise me on that,” said Pretorius.

De Villiers himself was very impressed.

Also read: Bees stop play at the Wanderers before an unlikely hero arrives!

“He is pretty accurate,” said the Proteas skipper.

“Dwaine is consistent in his areas and is open for advice from some of the senior players. It’s an open door to chat to him, I always like to work with bowlers like that.”

Given that Pretorius’ first-class batting average is 42 – 15 more than Parnell – he’s certainly a very creditable competitor for a place in the South African side.

“My outlook on the game is simple. I try to do as well as I can when I get a chance. There aren’t many of them so you have to make them count,” said Pretorius.

“Hopefully then, the rest will take care of itself.”

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