With Jansen and Coetzee hitting their strides, the variety in South African bowling can trouble Bangladesh | Cricket-world-cup News

South African spinners are very clear about what they are aiming for. Two ropes on the 22-yard pitch mark the centre strip, and two plastic discs are placed to indicate good length. There’s another disc just outside the off stump at full length for a left-hander, but Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi aren’t really targeting that. They are aiming for perfection and judging their optional nets session on the eve of their clash against Bangladesh at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday, they’re just about there.
While it’s the South African batsmen who were the star of the show after scoring 399 runs in their mammoth 229-run victory over England in unbearable hot and humid conditions on Saturday, the fact that the rainbow nation bowled out the defending champs for just 170 runs cannot be overlooked.
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The variety in their bowling prowess makes them a definite force to reckon with, alongside title contenders New Zealand and India. The only time they struggled was in their shocking 38-run loss to the Netherlands. Their opponents were struggling at 140-7 but managed to post 245-8. South Africa coach Rob Walter blamed poor bowling in death overs as the cause of the loss, saying, “At 140 for 7, you’re in control of the game really. So, to not be able to close it out at the death is disappointing.”
Their pedigree is undeniable. While Kagiso Rabada spearheads the attack, it’s Marco Jansen who’s given the new ball. The 6ft 7in bowler, like India’s Jasprit Bumrah, gets the ball to move both ways and more importantly, gets an incredible bounce due to his height. Jansen’s opening partner Lungi Ngidi extracts bounce from back of length and is outstanding with the new ball mainly because of his disciplined bowling, like Mohammed Siraj.
Then there’s tearaway pacer Rabada who comes in first change. Having to lead and mentor the attack in the absence of ace pacers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala, Rabada has shown that he can be depended on, claiming some important scalps in his eight wickets so far. Despite his different role as the first change, he has seamlessly managed to bowl hard lengths that could unsettle any lineup.
Gerald Coetzee is another incredible option that South Africa possess. The Rafael Nadal fan — headband and all — can bowl at good speed and get the ball to skid, just like his idol’s blering forehands down the line.
The role of tweakers
Playing in the subcontinent means that it’s imperative to have an incisive spinner and with Maharaj, South Africa have shown that they don’t lack anything in that department. Maharaj, who has become their primary spinner, made a miraculous recovery from an Achilles tendon injury to play his first World Cup.
He’s been economical this tournament, conceding 157 runs in the 31 overs he’s bowled. He clearly relies on lines and lengths judging his nets session and can be a handful for left-handers. Bangladesh, who have three fiery left-handers in their Shakib-Al-Hasan — who said he’s fit to play on Tuesday — Tanzid Tamim, and Najmul Shanto, will have to watch out.Most Read
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Completing the incredible lineup of bowlers is wr-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi. The 33-year-old who can turn the ball both ways, was South Africa’s go-to guy when Maharaj was absent but has just warmed the bench so far this tournament and will be raring to go if the opportunity arises.
South Africa’s one blip against the Netherlands wouldn’t be at the back of their minds considering their big win over England. They will however also need to be mindful of the fact that despite India having the best-performing bowling unit, Kuldeep Yadav faced a rare off-day against New Zealand where he conceded 73 runs, and put India under pressure. Riding on Virat Kohli’s 95, India managed to pull through, and South Africa know that might be too much of an ask for their batsmen. The Bangladesh openers, Litton Das and Tanzid Tamim had struck some form against India before losing their way in the mid overs, and are capable of standing upto speedsters.
South Africa will be wary of their opponents on Tuesday, knowing that their record in World Cups isn’t great – they’ve won two and lost two. Considering that their next matches are against Pakan and New Zealand, before facing hosts India, they’ll need their bowling to be at its best. And they’ve practised for their aim to be spot on.