South Africa in Sri Lanka 2014 - 3rd ODI

Who couldn't be happier right now? Me that's who!

Massive congratulations to the Proteas on a historic victory in Sri Lanka. As usual my nerves were completely shot after the game but it is always so worth it. With almost everyone occupied by the soccer and rugby I did make a point to some of my friends about how awesome the cricket was because I felt it was important to acknowledge the achievement. And if they found it annoying, well... I really don't care. 

Our batting...

Wow! Seriously classy centuries from De Kock and De Villiers and they were such a joy to watch. I'm really happy for De Kock as this just helps him grow in confidence and solidify his position in the ODI squad. As for AB, what can I say? Do we really expect anything less when he walks to the crease? Well done captain! And even though he didn't get his half-century (48) I also have to mention Amla for his contribution to the start of the innings. It seems that Hashim and Quinton are building a strong relationship as an opening pair and their playing styles seem to compliment each other very well.

Our bowling...

This is where my nerves started to go. Not the best start to the innings. I would've thought that with a score of 339 we would be able to defend that nicely but the Sri Lankan's came out swinging. I think I'm correct in saying that their run rate was above 10 in the beginning when they only required just over 6.  Parnell made the break through (can somebody explain his hairstyle to me please, thanks) but even from there it was still touch and go. It was the sixth wicket that seemed to decide the game because 23 runs later they were all out. McLaren put in another great performance taking three wickets and Imran Tahir also stood out with extremely economic figures  (10 overs, 29 runs, 1 wicket).

Overall it was a really solid performance from the Proteas, they didn't seem to get discouraged by the good start the Sri Lankans made and it was an all round team performance. Batsmen playing their part and the bowlers doing their's. 

There is one thing that is sticking out in my mind though and it's very much a sore point. Jacques Kallis is really battling at the moment. I'm not saying he needs to be off the team and all these things but this is just such a hard situation. He didn't bat/bowl in the warm up game, he didn't manage to get above single figures in all three games and AB said at the beginning of the series that Kallis can bowl it's just a matter of how many overs. Well he didn't bowl anything either. In any of the games. Even when Steyn got injured in the second ODI and we were a bowler down, Kallis did not make an appearance. Although I'm not to worried about his bowling commitments anymore because I think South Africa have developed a strong bowling department. I understand his desire to see another World Cup (2015) and I understand the caliber of player that Kallis is but I'm going to find it hard to be happy that he is batting at number three when his recent record is lacking. It's so difficult. I hope he plays some more domestic games this season seeing as he doesn't have Test match commitments anymore. More time at the crease should improve his form but who knows. Nothing would make my heart happier then seeing the Kallis we all know and love continue to grow the legend that he has become.

And now we look forward to the test matches...

South Africa in Sri Lanka - 09 July 2014

Well what is there to say? I don't actually want to acknowledge yesterday except for the two outstanding performances from Ryan McLaren and Hashim Amla. Very proud that Ryan stood up to the plate when SA were a bowler down after Dale bruised his bowling hand. Hashim was his usual classy self with adding yet another ODI century to his tally. 

The rest of them....

Look the bowlers actually didn't do badly at all, their run rates were fine and everything was on par regarding their performances. The batsmen however - shocking! I'm not going to mention each one by name because frankly, what's the point? But there are certain men in that team that are needing a score sometime soon otherwise people will start asking serious questions about why they are in the team at all. 

Anyway, I don't want to dwell on the negative and I hope that they got some sense knocked into them and they show up on Saturday ready to show Sri Lanka what our batting line up is really made of and not bank on Amla being top scorer again.

South Africa in Sri Lanka - 1st ODI, 6 July 2014

Well it was a good start to the tour for the Proteas winning by 75 runs and pretty much the whole team contributed to the win. For South Africa to post a score of 305 in the subcontinent is actually quite impressive although I did feel some pain for Sri Lanka as they were disadvantaged in that the playing conditions did not allow for the lights to be switched on when the light started fading. The third ODI is also a day game so whichever team bats first will more than likely win as I think those conditions do play a big factor. I mean I would be flipping scared of Dale Steyn or Morne Morkel bowling at me on a bright sunny day let alone when the sun is below the horizon. (It has now been announced that the floodlights will be on standby for the 3rd ODI)

What really stood out to me during the game was the partnership between Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers and not only because it was a big partnership (151 runs) but it really settled any doubts (and they were really teeny tiny little doubts) about Amla and De Villiers as South African captains. With Amla recently being appointed as Test captain there was a school of thought that AB was upset about being passed over for the role which is fair enough because I have a feeling it would be something that has been a goal of his but AB is definitely a true sportsman and wouldn't let personal issues influence his performance in the team. While I was watching these two incredibly talented cricketers put on an awesome partnership, I thought about what that requires. Having two gifted batsmen at the crease does not guarantee a big partnership, that requires communication, mutual trust and respect as well as experience. It then occurred to me that if these men can do this on the field - and they have done it on multiple occasions - then why should it be any different off the field? Both players are some of the most humble and down to earth guys out there and I personally find it hard to believe that the partnership they share on the field does not reflect their relationship off the field.

I look forward to this new era in South African cricket. I never really paid attention to people's negative opinions of Graeme Smith because I don't think the Proteas could ever have succeeded the way they did for so long without his leadership. I will miss his presence on the field. There will be ups and downs as there always is with this game but our team is bursting with talent and I'm certain we have a bright future ahead. #PROTEAFIRE