South Africa's Variety of Opening Bowlers a Great Luxury

Despite having just four front-line bowlers, South Africa skittled Australia out for 154 in the second one-day international in Perth on Sunday. Morne Morkel ran riot, finishing with figures of 8-0-21-5, his best ever in one-day cricket.  

He was only the fourth ever South African bowler to take a five-for in ODIs in Australia and his efforts, backed up by Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn, showed South Africa’s versatility in the bowling department.

Steyn, usually the snarling opening bowler, was demoted to bowling first change, while Philander stuck around as opening lieutenant. It would seem an odd move in most cases, but Morkel exploited the pace and bounce, and he forced errors on Australia’s batsmen as they stumbled to 154 all out. Only Mitchell Marsh, who scored 67 off 88, managed a score of significance.

Morkel was constantly in Australia’s face and, aside from his wickets, he also took two catches, making him only the second ever South African bowler to be involved in seven dismissals in an ODI.

The lanky paceman can often be inconsistent, and his economy rate of 2.62 was his lowest since October last year. Back then, he also opened the bowling, against Pakistan in Sharjah, taking three wickets as South Africa won a tense fixture by one run.

In fact, Morkel's overall average economy rate is at its lowest when he opens the bowling. Overall, it sits at 4.86. When opening the bowling from the get go, it's 4.75. When Morkel bowls second, his economy rate is at its highest, at 5.32. When he bowls first change, it's 4.81 and when bowling second change, it's 4.89.

While bowlers’ positions are often far less defined than batsmen, some bowlers simply do better in certain positions. Morkel thrives under the responsibility of leading the attack and while it might seem odd to have somebody like Steyn bowling first change, having bowlers who can do that is a great luxury for South Africa.

Steyn has only bowled first-change in one-day cricket in seven matches, but his economy rate of 5.16 and his average of 27.70 is far higher than his economy rate of 4.75 and average of 23.91 when he takes the ball first up.

With one-day cricket now offering bowlers two new balls up front, though, South Africa’s ability to shift their bowlers around is something that could very much be to their advantage.

“Horses for courses” is an expression often bandied about in sport and it’s very relevant for this South African team. Having three bowlers who know how to bowl with the new ball means they can switch around the order without too much trouble and, often, with great success.

While much fuss is made about the top-four batsmen, their four main bowlers are equally impressive.

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South African bowlers ODI averages are mind blowing Morkel (23), Steyn (25), Philander (22), Tahir (20)

— Ghumman (@Emclub7) November 16, 2014"

While South Africa's death bowling continues to be worrying, they have shown time and time again they have the firepower up front to rip the heart out of many batting attacks. They are also starting to show they have the versatility to mix things up when it’s required. This ODI series is all about testing combinations and it’s becoming increasingly clear that South Africa have the luxury of being able to mix up their combinations. 

All stats via ESPNCricinfo, unless otherwise stated.