Percentage cricket was needed

Am I the only one astounded by what I consider an enormous tactical blunder in the Natwest Final on Saturday? I have scanned the various reports over the last 48 hours and all I have seen are stories along the lines that South Africa were totally outplayed, the England bowlers used the “right areas” and the batsmen “nicked em”. I can’t deny that, but the visitors didn’t help their own cause. Yes, the toss was crucial as the movement at times was severe but percentage cricket is the name of the game in a big final.

Before I go any further, let me state that I am not with the team in the UK and therefore am not privy to the intricacies behind the scenes. I don’t know the form of the guys in the nets or the various individuals’ mental state but by watching their lead up games closely on the box, an observation can be attained.

How did the brains trust come to the conclusion that Morne van Vyk should bat at number three? Morne is a very good player who will blossom with experience but the poor guy was entrusted with getting South Africa out of a hole, at of all places Lord’s, on debut. I could understand the non-selection of Paul Adams, simply due to his inconsistency but surely the more experienced and dependable Dippenaar should have got the nod if strengthening the batting was the prerequisite. What an ask for the debutant van Vyk!

The stand-out batsman during the sojourn to England so far has been the exceptionally talented Jacques Kallis. Jacques simply had to come in at the fall of the first wicket. I just about choked on my coffee when Morne appeared. Jacques is a class act. He has recently been sublime at number three and he has the temperament and ability to turn any game around. He is a patient batsman who likes to take his time initially and if need be blunt an attack. That is exactly what was needed at about midday on Saturday. Kallis is the one player who would have taken up more discussion time than anyone else in England’s pre game team talk. That tells a story doesn’t it? Who would England have preferred to see walking out at the fall of the first wicket, Morne or Kallis?

The way England bowled at Lord’s, using the 7-foot slope intelligently was an education.

If you sit in the changeroom looking out at the magnificent arena, there is a 7-foot gradient going from left to right. Simply put, it means the pitch is at an angle and quality bowlers can use the slope to their advantage and make things extremely testing at the start of an innings. Anderson and Gough (in particular) did that and abruptly put the brakes on proceedings.

Upon losing the toss and seeing the potential hardship ahead, the thought process should have been to negate the attack with the best players and attempt to get someone in the top four to bat the majority of the 50 overs.

Change plans, change tact and get Kallis….er I mean callous about it.

Ask anyone who’s played. It’s a very different story coming to the wicket with one down for not many compared to two batsmen in the hut with only 30 runs on the board.

Another lesson learnt.