South Africa Must Avoid Complacency Trap During Fun World Cup Preparation

South Africa have the result of the one-day series in the bag before they’ve even played the final game. Hashim Amla has scored a hundred. Vernon Philander is looking impressive. Imran Tahir is bowling miserly. If you’re searching for positives, there are many to take from their last two one-day internationals against the Black Caps.

In the second ODI, South Africa boldly did what few would have predicted they would. They dropped Ryan McLaren in favour of an extra batsman. David Miller came into the team, and McLaren sat out as South Africa looked to see what would happen if they strengthened their batting and relied on part-timers to get through the allotted overs.

McLaren was carted into commentary during the match and McLaren told the Sky crew that it was all part of testing a few other combinations. If, when the World Cup comes around, they come up against a team where they require to have a stronger batting line-up, they wanted to be sure that they have tried out the combo that’s allowed them to do so. Captain AB de Villiers said the same in a press release sent out by Cricket South Africa. It quoted De Villiers as saying:

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The reason behind that was to try out another option, he said. I feel you need that option at a big tournament like the World Cup. Against certain teams it’s important to have seven frontline batters and to have confidence in that option will be important moving forward.

Yes, we were a bowler light, but JP Duminy has bowled well in the last year and I have been working on getting one or two overs in. If we can do that then we can manage with playing seven batsmen in certain matches. I don’t think it will become a trend but it’s good to have the option.

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The result was somewhat surprising. The switch meant that JP Duminy would have ideally bowled 10 overs to make up the numbers. Duminy did send off seven overs, but far more surprising was the decision for AB de Villiers to bring himself on to bowl.

De Villiers took two wickets in the process. It was all fun and games, and much of the conversation will now be about how there is absolutely nothing De Villiers cannot do. He has elevated himself to some kind of cricketing super deity.

"

It's official. AB de Villiers has conquered the one thing he wasn't known for on the cricket field: bowling. 6-0-28-2. #NZvSA

— Mohamed Zeeshan (@ZeeMohamed93) October 24, 2014"

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2 Wickets For Ab De Villiers..Is there anything he can't do?? Batting..bowling.. fielding.. wicket keeping  #NzVSa

— Suraj (@cric_champ) October 24, 2014"

All in all, it was harmless fun. And it's something that you're unlikely to see happen regularly. 

South Africa have the luxury of having a bit of fun while they sail through World Cup preparations. Their recent on-field results have been impressive, and they even managed to avoid choking in a knockout game when they beat Australia during a tri-series final in Zimbabwe recently.

The one-day team has never looked this relaxed and complete before a major tournament. They have the kind of swagger of teams who have become accustomed to winning. They may not have won any World Cups yet, but they have had a great year in one-day cricket.

South Africa, though, will have to remain wary of complacency, especially in the areas where they are still struggling.

The lower order, in particular, remains a big concern. Rilee Rossouw has not taken to international cricket like many had hoped. In national team colours, David Miller is yet to deliver the kind of match innings that made him famous domestically.

The death bowling also remains inconsistent. There is nothing wrong with a little bit of experimenting, but South Africa will be hoping that the fun experimenting turns into fruitful revelations.