Flying under the radar, a new South Africa | Cricket

This time last World Cup, South Africa were already reeling from losses to England and Bangladesh. In 2015? They had only managed one win and one defeat. If there is ever a collection of promising World Cup starts, this one should rank among the top, alongside the starts in 2011, 1999, and 1996. While winning the World Cup ultimately depends on the overall performance, for South Africa, who have a history of nerve-wracking moments and spectacular failures, every win is significant.

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To understand where this insecurity may stem from, we don’t have to look beyond 2019. Dale Steyn was ruled out early, and AB de Villiers’ commitment to the team was uncertain, creating a problematic situation before Ottis Gibson decided not to pick him. This led to a disastrous campaign with three consecutive defeats. In comparison, this World Cup has seen a much more composed start for South Africa. They have showcased a free-flowing batting style that was expected from England.

Quinton de Kock has scored hundreds in wins before, with 16 out of his 19 ODI centuries in that category. However, this time he looks more confident in every stroke. Hendrik van der Dussen has provided the stability South Africa has been searching for, and Aiden Markram’s incredible turnaround has injected life into their campaign. So far, they have comfortably defeated Sri Lanka and Australia without breaking a sweat.

“I think we just keep doing what we’re doing,” said South Africa captain Temba Bavuma ahead of Tuesday’s match against Netherlands in Dharamsala. “We’ll take it game by game as I always say. Every game will present different opportunities, different challenges, and it’s up to us to face those challenges head-on.”

Every World Cup raises the same question: Could this be South Africa’s time? Looking at the points table might ease early nerves, but they must remain focused and not get carried away by this start. South Africa has often shifted between being favorites and dark horses, with quality squads that ultimately disappoint. This time, however, the expectations are at their lowest. They lack a tearaway fast bowler like Anrich Nortje, they don’t have the star power of previous Protea sides, and they are led by Bavuma, who hasn’t excelled in this format.

Yet, this has also allowed them to let go of the past. When the same team scores 739 runs in two innings and demolishes Australia and Sri Lanka, it’s bound to cause some excitement. Bavuma believes these results accurately reflect the mindset of a team that is fully aware of its abilities and is determined to push their limits. “Our brand of cricket is all about being opportunistic as batters and bowlers, always looking to take the game on,” Bavuma stated.

“That means our strike rates will be higher. If you look at our top six or seven, everyone has been striking at high rates. Some players are excelling in this department. But it’s a matter of maintaining our intent, looking for opportunities to put the bowlers under pressure, and trusting our skills and execution. So, nothing will change as we enter the World Cup. We will continue to back ourselves and play the same way.”

However, not everything can rely solely on intent and ability. To strengthen their belief, South Africa can take pride in their impressive 50% win record in ODIs, the best among all sides in India over the past decade. The bowling has shown more purpose, and a real change can be observed in the batting. This can be attributed to the lessons learned during their 2022 tour of India, where players like Klaasen, Markram, and Hendricks displayed patience in reading difficult pitches. Additionally, the IPL experience has sharpened the skills of de Kock and Miller.

All these factors contribute to another fascinating edition of the great South Africa dream, one that has never been realized. However, this time South Africa is drawing a clear line between the past and the present. Despite their history of panicking in crucial moments, they have shown remarkable composure in their two significant wins. If they continue to fly under the radar while consistently winning matches, securing a spot in the final four could be well within their reach.