Why is it that the Proteas just can't get the balance right? When we have a strong batting line up, our bowlers are iffy, when we have a world class bowling line up, as we do now, our batsmen are iffy. If we could just align those two things we'd be unstoppable. It has been the same story since readmission.
I have done an analysis on the issue iro the series against India and SA, the Australia - SA series and the present SA - Pakistan series.
There remains a problem that has as yet not being solved and the problem relates ibn the main to a reasonable strike rate being in the majority of cases being too low and the fact is that players are out before really establishing themselves in batting.
Once you actually analyze the results it is found that -
* if De Kock is out early - the chances of winning or being competitive is near to zero;
* the run-per-over rate of Amla starts off quickly and then deteriorates badly - there are numerous examples of those in all the three series mentioned;
* Hendricks is always a way to slow a batsman when it comes to RPO - in the Aussie series last year it was below 3.3 rpo;
* Markram had two poor innings against India in the first two ODI's - but afterwards in that series he did much better and same can be said about the Australia series. His RPO rate always was circa 5,7 rpo.
There is no way that top batsmen in a series can bat at a rpo rate of lower than 5 and without making a reasonable score. Amla is a bad problem as an example. In the latest ODI Amla scored 12 runs in over 3 - but in the rest of the game his RPO rate was 3,75 - which is way below what it should be, Another example was in the previous ODI - where his RPO rate in the time he made 50 runs of 52 balls and in the latter stage he made 52 runs of 67 balls, with the rpo rate being 4,65. That also is too low. That is where Mark Nicholas made a remark on the way the game was played. I think that it may be better to move Amla to bat at 6 - which may be enough to score at the run rate he scores initially for the full game.
It is a shame that Hendricks is selected to play ahead of Markram.- he is not fitting into th scheme. That relates to all three series mentioned.
I would say that the batting order should be as follows::-
Markram
De Kock
Van der Dussen
Du Plessis
Miller
Amla
I would also think that Hamz needs to come into the picture. I would seriously think that he could be played ahead of Miller or even Amla.
The age maniac refers to a return of AB as a solution. The last two ODI's AB made a total of 37 runs off 42 balls against the Indians. He after that series announced his retirement from international cricket, The first series he played in subsequently was the Mzanzi series - where he was rather average in performance. Everyone will welcome him back to the team - but I think AB lost interest in playing international cricket and that would influence his performances. He probably realized that he would rather play recreational cricket like in the IPL and other short series (and make plenty of money from it) - but I think he would flatly refuse to submit himself to the pressure that comes with playing on international level.
BB
I did a detailed study of the last ten ODI's Amla played in and there was a serious worrying factor emerging, However, when trying to make the post containing all the data the computer went haywire and went off site - so I lost all the data. I will try and get the data back and repost the item.
BB
I did a detailed study of the last ten ODI's Amla played in and there was a serious worrying factor emerging, However, when trying to make the post containing all the data the computer went haywire and went off site - so I lost all the data. I will try and get the data back and repost the item.
BB
You appear to attach very much importance to anchoring of the innings – so one has to deal with that issue in real perspective. In his prime Amla had a problem with starting innings and he batted very slowly for the first few overs. He then progressed rapidly and by the end of hsi innings he was often enough batting at way over 5 rpo and upped his overall rate to above 6 rpo with a very good number of runs. That would make him an exceptional batsman and anchoir for a team.
However – over the past year Amla played in 11 ODI’s - he did not play in the Australia series (which the Proteas won) and for the rest in the Indian series (6 games) and the present Pakistani series Amla’s batting performance was as follows:-
India
1 Runs 16 - balls faced 17
2 Runs 23 - balls faced 32
3 Run 1 - balls faced 2
4 Runs 33 - balls faced 40
5 Runs 71 - balls faced 92
6 Runs 10 - balls faced 19
Total Runs = 154
Total balls faced = 202
Strike rate = 76,24
RPO = 4,57
The above figure is not much of the anchorage in evidence in the series, Other than the 73 runs Amla’s scores were below par.
Pakistan
1 Runs 108 - balls faced 120
2 Runs 8 - balls faced 5
3 Run 25 - balls faced 30
4 Runs 59 - balls faced 75
5 Runs 14 - Balls faced 17
Total Runs = 214
Total balls faced = 247
Strike rate = 85,94
RPO = 5,15
Combined 11 ODi's played
Total Runs = 368
Total balls faced = 449
Strike rate = 81,96
RPO
= 4,92
The above figures indicate an improvement in the figures from last year, In the first ODI Amla did well - he made his first 50 runs in 52 balls - but the next 58 runs was at 68 balls faced. In the 58 runs is included 10 runs from 1 six and 1 four. That means from 66 balls faced Amla made 48 runs – which was at a rate of 4,36. This lethargic approach caused problems insofar as Mark Nicholas’ remarks during overs 40 to 50 and caused some real media problems.. In the fourth ODI the RPO was also low - ie 4,72.
SUMMARY
From 11 games played it could be argued that Amla anchored the innings in 3 games even though in 2 of those his rpo was too low - in the third one there was in the media comments about a lack of urgency .
Fact is that all three games where Amla made substantial runs were lost by the Proteas so their was serious evidence of deficiency about his run rate and in his contribution to the team effort.
There was also a serious problem in respect of fielding, IN the Pakistani series the Protea missed 8 catches which would have determine whether the games were won or lost, Of the 8 missed catches 4 was missed by Amla,
The orc hates players - I look at performance which is never dealt with by the orc - I do not hate any players.
Info updated after 5tth ODI against Pakistan.
Info updated after 5tth ODI against Pakistan.