ODI Cricket: Confusion in the covers

Well Ricky Pointing said it, I didn’t agree but after watching those last few over in the field on Friday night, I have to agree now, the South African team have a very different dynamic under the leadership of Graeme Smith. The different dynamic is confusion. Smith had the field placements changing every ball towards the end of the innings, at one point he swapped the entire off side and onside fieldsmen around.

The last few overs of the Australian innings lost the game for South Africa, the additional 40 or so runs that were conceded put massive pressure on the South African batsmen, which they couldn’t handle. Australian’s total of 287 was the second highest total posted at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban, which puts our bowling and fielding effort into perspective.

In the process of losing the first MTN ODI on Friday evening, South Africa also gave up the  number 1 spot in limited overs cricket to Australia. Which is a particularly painful experience.

Graeme Smith will have to show some composure, the senior members of the team also need to stand up and be counted. I haven’t heard what the team will be for the second ODI, I’m sure Jacques Kallis will return if he’s fit.

The South African public have supported the Protea’s team with pride over the last four months of cricket against the Australians, it’s time for the Protea’s to give back, give us an ODI series victory boys, you can do it.