Big questions raised by South Africa’s twin test-match losses against Sri Lanka.
The Proteas’s two tests losses at the hands of Sri Lanka put a damper on South Africa’s hopes of winning a Cricket World Cup. The matches were the first since the departure of South African’s top batsman, Ab de Villiers.
Sri Lanka’s Akila Dananjaya (C) celebrates with his teammates after taking the wicket of South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj (not pictured). REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
Throughout the two matches, the country’s batting line-order didn’t play with heart. The players lacked composure and their body language suggested rustiness.
Earlier this week, the Proteas’former wicket-keeper, Mark Boucher, said:”There is life after Ab.” But results seem to suggest otherwise.
At a time when touch-ups would seem appropriate, Coach Ottis Gibson seems to be going to the drawing board. The Proteas’ experienced batting line-up was anything but that, especially when compared to the inexperienced Sri Lankan squad.
The bottom line? As the Cricket World Cup beckons, South African hopes are in doubt.
The timing is bad, too. Although it’s every player’s dream to represent his/her nation in international tournaments, Ab and Morne Morkel retired instead. They stepped away when the team needed them most.
And I never believed public reasons given for those resignations. While I respect both of them and what they have done for the national team, it seems to me that they made a choice–to avoid being blamed for failing to guide the team to glory.
Irrespective of the reason, the reality (now) is that the Proteas must forge ahead without them.
Will the team nickname, “The Chokers,” come to pass? Or will South Africa be the chokers? Those are the questions as World Cup 2019 looms.
