In the Champions Trophy, South Africa’s bowling attack, particularly through Rabada, Ngidi, and Jansen, has proven to be exceptional. Their unique styles and the ability to deliver low scores against teams like England and Afghanistan reveal a tactical advantage. Anil Kumble praised their variance and effectiveness, indicating strong potential as the tournament progresses.
South Africa has demonstrated a formidable bowling attack in the ongoing Champions Trophy, solidifying their performance with a 7-wicket victory against England. Their ability to restrict opposing teams to low scores, as evidenced by dismissing England for 179 and Afghanistan for 208, signals their strength. Anil Kumble, speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Match Day show, highlighted the distinctiveness and quality of South Africa’s fast bowlers, noting that each brings unique attributes to the playing field.
Kumble remarked on the effectiveness of South Africa’s tall fast bowlers, mentioning Kyle Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen. He explained that their varied bowling styles create challenges for batters, providing a significant tactical advantage. “Their angles are very different. Rabada is very classical, whereas Ngidi is pretty awkward to face with his action, and Marco Jansen comes at such height. So, all three are very different. That’s the nature you want in a one-day. That’s the variation,” he stated.
Jansen emerged as a key figure in their recent match against England, skillfully using his height and bounce to take crucial wickets during the powerplay. Kumble praised Jansen’s athleticism, underscoring his growth as a cricketer. “I think he’s still very young, although he has played quite a lot of cricket. He has certainly matured. I’m sure these three wickets will give him confidence,” Kumble noted. His contributions extend beyond bowling, as Jansen has also made significant progress with the bat.
The ability of Jansen to capitalize on his height creates difficulties for opposing batters, with Kumble pointing out a specific instance where Phil Salt struggled against Jansen’s steep bounce. “In that sense, he’s a complete package for South Africa at No. 7 or No. 8. And with the ball, with the new ball, he can bring the ball back in. He’s tall, so it’s not easy for the batters to just get under him,” Kumble affirmed. The capacity for variation in South Africa’s bowling strategy further emphasizes their competitive advantage as they progress in the tournament.
In summary, South Africa’s bowling attack is characterized by its diversity, quality, and effectiveness, as emphasized by Anil Kumble. The distinct styles of Rabada, Ngidi, and Jansen are crucial assets in their strategy, providing a robust approach to disrupting opposing batting line-ups. With Jansen’s rising prominence and the team’s overall depth, South Africa should feel confident as they advance further in the Champions Trophy.
Original Source: m.economictimes.com
