It's been a volle two weeks since the
Proteas started their World Cup campaign and they are still without a single win.
Arguably the biggest
problem facing the South Africans is the failure of Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and Aiden Markram to
consistently contribute to a winning total.
The Proteas crossed the 300-mark chasing Bangladesh, but have done little else in their other three matches.
Most people would see something wrong with that picture.
So I was stunned to see SA batting coach Dale Benkenstein’s remarks over his
charges’ problems.
UNSETTLED: Hashim Amla needs protection
Apparently they are just a bit nervous.
Get the f*** outta here, man. Are you serious?
Four matches under their belts and this is the best explanation you can come up with Mr
Batting Coach? Nerves?
Do you have a remedy for that Dale?
“We just have to remind them that they are good players. You don’t become a bad player in a week”, he said.
How about two weeks?
DEEPLY DISAPPOINTING: Batsman JP Duminy: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
If Benkenstein was doing his job, he’d have realised Hashim is struggle with the short ball.
Bowlers have been peppering him like a rump they planning to braai him to medium rare.
A shot to the grille by Jofra Archer in the opener against England really showed the rest just how to get Hash rocked out there.
Maybe the solution to Hash’s woes is Aiden Markram.
Markram is there to keep the top-order batsmen honest.
But what I don’t understand how a man who was playing in England for Hampshire a month before the World Cup is not a starter in this side.
And with his three final scores being two fifties and a hundred, it’s as confusing as Faf du Plessis’ toss calls.
Perhaps Markram opening the batting will be a better option for the Proteas than Hashim.
Markram is more confident negotiating the new ball in these conditions and can lay a solid foundation if he settles.
Hashim will hopefully be more positive with some pace off the ball should the openers do their job.
Maybe Benkie should be thinking about these facets of his players’ games. Maybe tell them there is something wrong with their stroke play rather than stroke their ego.
A settled Amla can give SA some real impetus in the middle overs too because he knows how to work the ball around.
He plays such an important part in keeping the innings together when South Africa play their best cricket.
STABILITY: Aiden Markram can open batting. Photo: BACKPAGEPIX
One man who is far from his best is JP. He had the chance to prove his worth in the run-chase against Bangladesh but ultimately failed to get us over the line.
The Strandfontein hero has been found out big time against spin at the tournament.
And in conditions where spin is hardly a factor, it makes JP’s
performances even more
disappointing.
Now instead of reminding JP about how good a player he was a week ago, how about you help him get his game up to scratch.
Tell Duminy to get to the nets and do some throwdowns with him, so he can improve.
Otherwise, Dale, both you and JP are useless to the cause.