Cautious Kallis shoulders blame

2007-03-27 08:59

Archie Henderson

Some jokes in poor taste over the last few days have again raised the hoary label of chokers to pin on the Proteas.

Except that this team do not deserve such an unimaginative appellation any longer.

The South Africans took on Australia's formidable total of 377 for six last Saturday as if overhauling it would be a mere formality.

Graeme Smith and AB De Villiers set about the task with what seemed to be a relish, scoring at almost eight runs to the over before De Villiers perished to a piece of bad luck.

Yes, Australia's fielding was superb (as was South Africa's) but Shane Watson's throw from the boundary which caught De Villiers stranded was plain good fortune on the part of the Aussies.

Inability

As if one piece of misfortune were not enough, Smith got the cramps. That, sadly for the South Africans, was the ball game.

After that Jacques Kallis tried to break out of his mould, but just could not. It wasn't unwillingness; it was plain inability. Smash and grab is not his style but at least he threw down anchor.

So it was up to Ashwell Prince, a player much like Kallis in his diligence and cautious approach, to take the risks - and the first one he took was his undoing: caught near the fence trying to hook.

With most of the big-hitters gone (Justin Kemp now seems more like a two-inch mortar than a piece of serious batting artillery) and the run rate climbing, the game was over long before it officially ended.

South Africa will obviously learn from this, but they should not give up on their principle of chasing down targets if they are to win more tosses. It would be a sign of weakness to shift strategy now, and for all his other faults, Smith has never been one to blink in the face of a challenge.

Dreamland

Now whether it has been the exciting cricket from the World Cup that has inspired South Africans, or whether it has just been some of the exhilarating stuff dished up in the local 20-overs competition I do not know, but the near-23 000 people who turned up at the Wanderers last Friday night was convincing evidence that the new format is a success.

Just a pity that the Cape Cobras played cowboy cricket from the start and were never able to post a credible total against the Lions, who are led by the best captain never to captain his country (Neil McKenzie for the five of you still in dreamland, like Kallis).

Archie Henderson is a former Cape Argus sports editor.

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