Proteas suffer another white-ball series defeat as they eye Champions Trophy growth

Heinrich Klaasen of South Africa during the 2nd ODI between South Africa and Pakistan at Newlands Cricket Ground on 19 December 2024. (Photo: Grant Pitcher / Gallo Images)

By Keanan Hemmonsbey

20 Dec 2024

‘How can it be anything but disappointing?’ a calm Rob Walter asked after Thursday’s defeat. South Africa have struggled in bilateral white-ball series’ since Walter took over the side.

South Africa’s 81-run one-day international (ODI) defeat to Pakistan at Newlands Cricket Ground on Thursday, 19 December 2024, which followed their three-wicket defeat in Paarl on Tuesday, has meant the team has now only won three out of seven series with white-ball coach Walter in charge.

Two of the three wins have come against smaller European outfits Netherlands and Ireland, while they have been undone by Afghanistan and India while drawing a series to West Indies at the start of his tenure.

“How can it be anything but disappointing?” a calm Walter asked the media after Thursday’s defeat in Cape Town. “As a team, we weren’t up to the mark. I’ve got to accept responsibility for the side because we have lost a series; it’s disappointing.”

Kwena Maphaka of South Africa during the 2nd ODI between South Africa and Pakistan at Newlands Cricket Ground on 19 December 2024. (Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images)

Poor record

Walter’s poor record as head coach in bilateral cricket, which extends to T20I cricket too — where he has only won one out of eight series — has fortunately not translated into the two tournaments at which he led the team.

His win percentage at the Cricket World Cup and T20 World Cup is 84%, while in bilateral white-ball cricket that drops all the way to 37.5%.

There are a few reasons for this, not at least the fact that the squad changes often as the coach seeks to build depth. In the series against Pakistan, Walter — with one eye on next year’s Champions Trophy — elected a side closer to his best XI.

Read more: Proteas can’t afford any more injuries to bowlers ahead of crucial Pakistan Test series

But injuries have handicapped those ambitions. Experienced middle-order batter David Miller and captain Temba Bavuma missed the first ODI due to injury and load management, respectively.

Fast bowler Ottniel Baartman suffered an injury during the first ODI, while premier spinner Keshav Maharaj suffered what looked like a serious adductor injury during the warm-up for the match in Paarl.

“Especially in this series we’ve had to change at the 11th hour really, so that does cause some disruptions,” Walter said about having to play the hand he has been dealt with regarding injuries.

“Injuries happen, we have quite a number of them at this time which is challenging us, but it’s a good challenge to have because you come out on the other side stronger because you’ve given some guys opportunities.

“Of course, losing games is never cool and you don’t enjoy it, but at the same time guys have had the opportunity to play. Having consistency of selection is always ideal, but we aren’t living in an ideal world in short-format cricket, based on the different masters we’re trying to serve at any one time.

“We want the senior guys who come into the game to step up. We can’t keep using different players as an excuse to not perform.”

Heinrich Klaasen of South Africa during the 2nd ODI between South Africa and Pakistan at Newlands Cricket Ground on 19 December 2024. (Photo: Grant Pitcher / Gallo Images)

Winning mentality

Walter, though, is confident his side can turn it around when it matters, and given his record at major tournaments, it’s hard not to believe him.

“But, like I’ve said before, the losses will turn into wins,” he said. “We will have a stronger group of players that we can use moving forward and the end goal is a few years down the line that we’re building towards so we’ll keep on the process there.”

South Africa were scratchy in every department at Newlands, allowing Pakistan to set 329 runs through wayward bowling before being skittled for 248 with only Heinrich Klaasen (97 off 74 balls) making a meaningful contribution with the bat.

Fielding issues

The most disappointing aspect might have been the fielding though. Player of the match Kamran Ghulam was dropped twice on his way to a match-changing 63 off 32 deliveries.

With regards to the makeup of the team, however, not much is likely to be altered, outside of the injured players returning, according to Walter.

“Our team doesn’t need to change a hell of a lot, obviously we’ve had to change because of injury,” the coach said. “There are some guys that are not playing at the moment that you would factor into that squad for the Champions Trophy, along with the guys that have played (in this series).

“There’s still a large proportion of the squad that genuinely picks itself if we’re playing well.

“Then there are a few guys who are now starting to stake a claim to supersede those guys who you’d think normally would be there, and that’s exactly how it should be.

“We need to have pressure on whoever we see to be the first-choice squad because the more pressure on them, the better our cricket will be.”

Walter has earned a degree of trust through his tournament performances, but given the country’s desire for sporting success, he will feel the pressure despite his reasons given for bilateral failures. DM

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South Africa

Poor record

Winning mentality

Fielding issues