Four takeaways from the Proteas’ ODI series whitewash
Granted, there will be far tougher challenges this season but South Africa definitely did gain some insights.
Aiden Markram. Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images.
The 3-0 ODI series win against Bangladesh said it all for Proteas – everything truly did go according to plan.
Virtually every member of the squad managed to get some game-time and make a respective mark but they’ll also be aware that far tougher challenges will await later this season.
Nonetheless, there were several lessons learnt in this series.
AB de Villiers is ready to add value
It took just over two hours for everyone to be made aware that South Africa’s middle-order dynamo is hungry for international cricket.
That was enough time for De Villiers to whack a magnificent 176 off just 104 deliveries in Paarl, an innings that showcased all his greatest qualities.
Despite reasonable form last season, the 33-year-old consistently looked inhibited – especially in England – as speculation over his future continued to rage.
However, since ditching the captaincy in ODIs, De Villiers can now look forward to just piling up the runs.
Versatile Markram truly is the future
When Aiden Markram was called up for the final ODI, many assumed he would do so as an opener.
After all, he started Test cricket with scores of 97 and 143.
But team management decided to drop him down to No 4 … and it worked a treat.
Markram nudged his way to a fluent 64, showing he has the game to flourish in the middle order.
More importantly, it gives the selectors options.
It’s very difficult now to break up the Quinton de Kock-Hashim Amla opening stand, meaning if Markram was just going to be considered as an opener, he would struggle to get in.
Yet a middle-order role means he could gain far more international experience in 50-over cricket.
Patience pays off with Dane Paterson
The Cobras seamer probably isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and he certainly didn’t endear himself with some wayward bowling in the first two games.
Ottis Gibson though stuck with him and the 28-year-old gained enough confidence from that faith to bowl well in East London.
Fast bowling depth isn’t plentiful in South Africa – as this series has shown – and should the drought continue, the Proteas might just be grateful that they stuck with Paterson.
The selectors don’t really have the room to discriminate.
Taking cricket to smaller grounds a roaring success
What would you prefer: an empty Wanderers or a noisy 4 000-strong crowd in Kimberley?
Cricket South Africa have done well to bring international cricket to places like Paarl, Potchefstroom and Kimberley.
These people are hungry for international cricket, regardless of the opposition.
To be honest, everybody loves a winning team.
CSA would gained some much-needed goodwill with this.
