- Ian Chappell feels South Africa’s bowling attack could have performed better.
- Proteas were thrashed by an innings and 182 runs by an Australian team at MCG.
- Lesley Nortje is a better bet than Lungi Ngidi to be opening the bowling.
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell believes that if the team’s leadership can be enhanced, South Africa’s bowling attack may perform better in Test cricket.
For the first time since 2005/06, South Africa lost a Test series there after being destroyed by an aggressive Australian team on Boxing Day at the MCG by an innings and 182 runs.
Additionally, South Africa has lost two Test series in a row after losing 1-2 to England in August-September. The third and final Test will now be played for pride in Sydney beginning on January 4.
“Although South Africa’s bowling attack contains true talent, they could significantly increase their ability to take wickets. Additionally, they are hindered by their team’s subpar batting. A team’s strength and morale are sapped when it consistently receives low scores and is forced to return to bowl after yet another batting side failure.”
“The issue of leadership is another. With the exception of Anrich Nortje, the assault as a whole may have played better in Australia with greater leadership. Elgar, like many of his fellow international captains, lacks experience leading teams on Australian fields.”
“The bowlers must first comprehend that in Australia, producing the occasional truly excellent ball sporadically intermingled with some deliveries that can be delivered won’t be very successful. Bowlers must continue to produce quality balls to talented hitters, and they must act in a way that makes their opponents aware of their intent to take wickets “Chappell penned
Anrich Nortje has been the most impressive South African pacer, tormenting the Australian hitters with his rapid speed and picking up five wickets while Kagiso Rabada has taken ten wickets. Nortje is a stronger choice than Lungi Ngidi to open the bowling with Rabada and take wickets with the new ball, according to Chappell.
“Why doesn’t Nortje start with Kagiso Rabada when it comes to the fresh ball? At the beginning of a player’s innings, you have the best opportunity of getting wickets. If they are good, speedier bowlers have a higher chance of taking wickets, hence it’s critical that they get the new ball. Compared to a slow and out-of-shape Lungi Ngidi, Nortje is a far superior bowling option.”
“Although Keshav Maharaj has some potential as a spinner, it would be a mistake to deploy him as a containment bowler. A skipper must often look for wickets at both ends. Bowlers must take wickets in order to be included in a Test team. When a player bowls while holding, his skill level is reduced.” The bowlers in Sydney will need to step up because South Africa’s batting is vulnerable, Chappell concluded.”
The hardest thing in the game is to win a Test by taking 20 wickets, but it’s also one of the most satisfying. It is the responsibility of the batsman to score runs as rapidly as possible to give their bowlers ample time to secure those 20 wickets.” “The South African hitters are not performing up to par. However, if more motivating leadership and competitive field placements were offered to the stronger South African bowlers, their performance might improve.”
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