[Article] South Africans Beginning to Feel Pressure
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South Africa beginning to feel pressure
Barry Richards says it is time for Daryll Cullinan to stand up and be
counted
FROM the moment it was announced that May-June were the scheduled
months for the World Cup, it was going to be a bowlers' tournament. It has
surprised no one that the seamers have taken the lion's share of the headlines
and Tendulkar, Lara and Co have been reduced to support roles.
Given this scenario South Africa's bowlers were always going to be a
handful, especially with the white ball that has made opening the batting the
least envied position in the order. Apart from the hiccup against a very
underrated Zimbabwe, South Africa's bowlers have done the job. Most
impressive is how they have kept their nerve even when are looking
decidedly shaky. If they make the finals the experience will stand them in
good stead.
There were signs, though, that the fielding is not as sharp as before and even
the throwing not as accurate, even though there were three run-outs against
Pakistan, mainly of their own doing.
Perhaps "pacing" your run to the finals is as important as the full-on
workouts that precede a match. Wear and tear, combined with continued
pressure, wears down all but the very toughest and even they sometimes fall
victim to their own high standards.
The batting has not been of high quality with too many loose shots proving
costly. It is important to gain a momentum and ensure a healthy run rate but
it is a delicate balance between playing your natural game and being
pressured into shots that are just not on.
Herschelle Gibbs seems to be in limbo as to what role to play. He has talent
and can tee off at any time but on every occasion that he has tried it has led
to his downfall. The wickets in England are not the place to take on the
opening bowlers - even Sachin Tendulkar has an air of fallibility so the mere
mortals have to accept that runs in the first 15 overs are not as big a priority
as wickets in hand.
The South Africa top is not simple. Therefore it is up to one of their senior
batsmen to ensure stability - that means Gary Kirsten or Daryll Cullinan.
They will need to apply their survival technique. The bowling from now on is
going to be very testing so temperament is of prime importance, as is
technique and footwork, which will be tested to the limit.
Cullinan has the best and most organised technique and ought to come in as
early as possible to bat through the overs. However the pressure sometimes
tells on his undoubted ability, which leads to a very soft dismissal. A heave
across the line is totally out of character for an otherwise correct technique
but it does happen under pressure. Better shot selection and a willingness to
bat the overs is something that has eluded him this World Cup.
If South Africa are to progress more is needed from the experienced No 4.
It is a time for him to stand up and be counted. If he can stamp his authority
on the finals South Africa will approach them with more confidence.
Hanse Cronje and Jonty Rhodes are short of runs in spite of the fact that the
captain and coach have been juggling the order. That may be innovative on
one hand but a little destabilising on the other. Some players cannot be
happy with the situation. Some don't mind the flexibility but others would
prefer a set routine. So far most of the innovations have been successful but
it was hard to understand Cronje coming in at No 3 against two of the best
fast bowlers in the world, a situation he would be least comfortable with.
South Africa have tested their resolve to the limit by having to come back
from early setbacks. That in itself will worry all the other teams, but you can't
help feeling that the pressure is starting to get to them. If they have to dig
even deeper in the games to come will it leave enough for the final?
West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh will keep playing until he
becomes the leading wicket-taker in Tests.
The 36-year-old, who is 11 wickets short of equalling Kapil Dev's world
record 434, claims he still has the motivation to take him past the Indian
all-rounder's tally.
"I would have been satisfied with 400 but I have the chance of getting past
two great bowlers, Sir Richard Hadlee and Kapil Dev," he said.
Thanks :: The Electronic Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk