South Africa was knocked out of the ICC World Cup 2019 with a crushing loss to Pakistan by 49 runs played at Lords, London on Sunday. In this year’s tournament, the Proteas won only 1 match against Afghanistan and lost 5 matches. The match against West Indies was washed out due to rain.
It was a disappointing performance by the Proteas who looked out of sorts in ICC World Cup 2019. They did not start well losing first three matches against England, Bangladesh and India.
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Here we look at the 5 reasons for South Africa’s first round exit in the ICC World Cup 2019
1. Injuries To Their Key Players
Before the World Cup started, South Africa was jolted with injuries to Anrich Nortje. Their key bowler Dale Steyn was included in the squad, but due to a shoulder injury, he could not play the entire tournament which made the bowling attack weak.
In the middle of the tournament, Lungi Ngidi did not play a few matches which led made the bowling attack weaker. As a result of this, South Africa could bear it and was knocked out of the tournament in the first round itself.
2. Absence of AB de Villiers
The South African Cricket Team missed the service of AB de Villiers in the middle order. AB de Villiers had the ability to hit big shots and create an impact on the match with his innovative hitting.
In the 2015 edition of WC, de Villiers was third leading run-getter with 482 runs from 8 matches (7 innings) and helped South Africa reach the semi-finals of the tournament. Without the service of AB de Villiers, the South African team lacked experience and as a result, was knocked out the tournament.
3. Failure Of Batting Lineup
South African batting line failed completely in the entire 2019 World Cup so far. The experienced Hashim Amla could not score many runs. From South Africa point of view, Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis were among the top run-getters. Apart from that none of the batsmen could provide substantial runs.
(Photo by Nigel French/PA Images via Getty Images)
In the 7 matches they played so far, none of the South African batsmen had 100 runs partnership which made the life tough for South Africa. Van der Dussen looked the most impressive batsmen but could not convert starts into big totals.
4. Lack Of An X-Factor
They say in a tournament like the World Cup, every team needs an X-factor. Someone who can always stand up for the team and be the team”s go-to in any situation.
This South African team lacked a genuine x-factor which could create an impact on the match. They had big names. On paper, South Africa did look intimidating any day.
Winning those little key moments in the game really affects you in the larger picture, hence a person was needed who could stand up, absorb the pressure and single-handedly took his team home.
5. Inability To Pick Up Wickets
Dale Steyn”s departure meant Kagiso Rabada had to lead the South African pace attack. Immediate pressure might not have taken the best out of him as in the 7 matches he played so far, Rabada took 6 wickets with an average of 50.83. Those numbers certainly do not prove Rabada”s potential.
After Rabada there is his bowling partner, Lungi Ngidi. You might see the stats and say he took 7 wickets in 4 games which is amazing but the question is when did those wickets come? Most of those 7 wickets fell when “it quite did not matter”.
South Africa struggled to get the opposition bowled out on most occasions. They also struggled to get wickets with the new ball. Due to some of the player”s departure, the South African unit had to alter their plans but their replacements could not quite fill the void.
Although individual players did stand up at again no one created that impact except for the veteran Imran Tahir. Though Morris and Phehlukwayo did deliver, batsmen never feared them.
They say batsmen win you matches but it”s the bowlers who win you tournaments and this tournament certainly was not dominated by the South African bowlers.
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