South Africa repeated their all too familiar batting problems in losing to India in the first ODI at Jaipur.
Winning the toss, South Africa elected to bowl first. India got away to a typically aggressive start thanks to Virender Sehwag, but he was involved in a mix-up with Sachin Tendulkar, which led to the little master’s demise.
From there wickets came whenever India threatened to really get away from the Proteas, although the run-rate remained healthy throughout the innings.
Captain Jacques Kallis and Charl Langeveldt were the pick of the bowlers with 3 and 1 wickets respectively, but more importantly good economy rates.
Set 299 for victory, South Africa had a good shot at it on a decent batting wicket.
Loots Bosman and Herschelle Gibbs started in aggressive fashion. When Bosman left in the 9th over the run rate was around the required levels.
Once again though we showed we really don’t know how to chase very well, especially in the middle overs.
Wickets kept falling and so did the run-rate. I’d rather see us keep the run-rate up and lose wickets, because at least then we give ourselves a chance to win. When the run-rate gets out of control, the inevitable wickets leave you too far behind.
No one supported Kallis who made a great 89, and When Wayne Parnell and Dale Steyn were faced with needing 74 runs in 43 balls and only 2 wickets left, I’m sure India took their foot off the accelerator. Parnell and Steyn batted beautifully, but like the test in Kolkata just days ago, it was far too much to expect of the lower order.
Parnell was a shining light and Kallis had this to say about the young all-rounder “He’s a talented cricketer and he’s going to take a lot away from today. Every time he plays he’s going to learn. He’s still very new to the subcontinent. He’s got all the attributes of becoming a good all-rounder and that’s something that he’s working on. He’s a man for the moment, so he’s certainly got a bright future ahead of him.”
There were some moments of controversy, especially at the end of the innings when Tendulkar saved a boundary that couldn’t conclusively show on replay what had happened.
“That’s not our call – that’s what third umpires are there for and he saw that it wasn’t four and we’ve got to accept it and get on with it” Kallis said about the incident.
“I think on the whole we’re pretty happy with the way things have gone, although obviously there are things we need to work on. Our death bowling has been a problem for a while but the guys did really well there. At one stage it looked like India would make 330. On the batting front we need to make sure we don’t lose wickets along the way and get some big partnerships going to set the game up. Perhaps we’ve got to come up with ideas for the way Jadeja bowled – I thought he bowled really well and tied us down for a while, so we’ve got to make sure that we’re strong on our game plans there” said Kallis.
I’m pleased he’s not making excuses. South Africa have to alter the mindset, play more intelligently and take a few more risks. One I’d go with is putting the in-form Hashim Amla in the side and dropping Gibbs who has had a gazillion chances too many!
