Fleming comes up trumps

I know that hindsight is the perfect science but following a disappointing result, it is human nature to analyse.

I wonder, looking back on the one-day series in New Zealand, if South Africa’s tactics would have been different given another chance.

A couple of weeks ago when the boys arrived in New Zealand (I refuse to call them that insipid title of Proteas!), I wrote that I was concerned about the upcoming weeks.

The basic reasoning for the apprehension was because of the planning, application and determination that the Black Caps would confront them with, more specifically the canniness of Stephen Fleming.

South Africa would not have needed a crystal ball to work out the strategy Fleming was to use.

Quite simply it was always going to be a four prone attack.

Upon South Africa’s arrival some well-chosen words from the eloquent skipper found their way into the local sports pages, dismissing the threats of some key players by criticizing individual techniques.

In doing so the visitors were left in no doubt that substantial homework had been done.

The next strategic move was to target Graeme Smith with the view that if you could undermine the captain and promote some negative thoughts they would permeate through the team.

Next was to ensure conditions were perfectly suited to the home team by way of generally low slow wickets.

Fleming’s final ace was to introduce an air of aggression.

In previous clashes against South Africa the latter has been a factor but New Zealand have used that tactic successfully against Australia in the past. All of the above were implemented.

Make no mistake, New Zealand is a tough place to tour but Stephen Fleming has played the perfect hand.

With the test series looming its time for South Africa to come up trumps…The stakes are high!