All The Pieces To Succeed?

The 2015 Cricket World Cup is around the corner and a big focus in South African cricket has turned to the ODI format.

This past week, national coach Russell Domingo’s contract was been extended for another year because the South African cricket committee were considering the negative impact that uncertainty could have on World Cup preparations. Russell Domingo stepped into the mammoth gap that Gary Kirsten left in August last year. His departure saw the South African Test side slip to number 2 in the world as well as losing some cricket greats, namely Graeme Smith and Jacque Kallis, among others.

However, Domingo and his right hand man, Mohammed Moosajee, have done a considerable job with the national team, both in the short and longer formats of the game. The Proteas regained their position at the top of the World Test rankings by winning an away series in Sri Lanka and have also been very competitive in the ODI games. We can refer to their latest pursuance in the Zimbabwean Triangular series victory.

Russell Domingo

Russell Domingo, if anything, has maintained the standard of the team and has played a caretaker role more than anything. His true contribution will no doubt be measured on the performance of the upcoming World Cup in February 2015.

The Proteas ODI side are a fearsome team – on paper. There is one word that the Proteas will want to disassociate themselves with: “chokers”. South Africa goes into almost every cricket tournament as one of the favourites to go all the way, but sadly always fall short. A great squad has key players in significant positions, a good strategic coach, but most importantly, big match temperament (BMT). Can we agree that the latter is something that possibly hinders the Proteas on their quest for greatness?

With that being side, it is something the Proteas will be working on. They have an immensely talented captain leading the way, top order batsman who can punish any bowling attack, and a bowling unit lead by the world’s best fast bowler.

The Proteas have New Zealand next which should be a thrilling series…

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