South Africa’s second-tier white-ball cricketers fail to deliver the goods on the big stage

Matthew Breetzke of South Africa A during the 2nd ODI match against Sri Lanka A at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on 2 September 2024. (Photo: Sydney Seshibedi / Gallo Images)

By Keanan Hemmonsbey

3 Sep 2024

South Africa’s next tier of cricketers have been given eight opportunities over the past few months and won zero matches.

There’s a Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup scheduled in the next 24 months, but South Africa’s core squad is unlikely to change much after the country’s next-best white-ball players failed to take their chances to stake a claim in the national team.

The Proteas’ white-ball teams have had an incredible past few years and lost only two matches out of nine to reach the semifinal of the 50-over World Cup in India last year.

The team went on to reach the final of the T20 World Cup this year — the first SA men’s side to reach the final of any World Cup.

Where there is a cause for concern, however, is in the next tier of players.

South Africa A are 2-0 down to Sri Lanka A in their three-match 50-over series being played at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.

This follows two whitewashed T20I series in the Caribbean either side of the T20 World Cup. South Africa, fielding a largely fringe team on both occasions, were beaten 3-0 twice by West Indies.

sa second teir fail brevis Dewald Brevis of South Africa A during the first ODI against Sri Lanka A at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on 31 August 2024. (Photo: Lee Warren / Gallo Images)

There are several capped Proteas in the team in Potchefstroom, including Tony de Zorzi, David Bedingham, Lutho Sipamla, Andile Phehlukwayo and Senuran Muthusamy. Also in the team are captain Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis and Nqabayomzi Peter — all youngsters who have recently been introduced into the national fold.

The Sri Lankan side also has several capped national players, but most of the members are young and inexperienced.

Back-to-back blows

The first 50-over match at the weekend saw the Sri Lankans score a massive 298 runs in their 50 overs.

South African fast bowler Tristan Luus, who’s only 19 years old, picked up three wickets, but conceded 72 runs in his 10 overs.

Phehlukwayo, who is by far the most experienced international in the squad with 76 ODI caps, was economical, going at only 3.8 runs to the over and picking up three wickets.

The side failed to set any substantial individual totals, with only De Zorzi passing 50 with a neatly compiled 53 runs off 48 balls.

South Africa A crumbled to 205 all out, a massive 93-run defeat.

Their problems with the bat continued in the second match on Monday when they failed to chase down the 270 set by Sri Lanka.

sa second teir fail Matthew Breetzke of South Africa A during the second ODI match against Sri Lanka A at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on 2 September 2024. (Photo: Sydney Seshibedi / Gallo Images)

Breetzke struck a brilliant 74 off 80 deliveries and was ably supported by Meeka-eel Prince (44 off 46) at the top of the order.

But leg spinner Dushan Hemantha spun a web over South Africa A’s middle order and they collapsed to 239 all out after being 194 for five in the 33rd over. They lost the match by 31 runs.

The series is already lost, with the final match to be played at the same venue on Wednesday.

South Africa’s lack of strength in depth is particularly surprising given the introduction of the SA20, which goes into its third season at the beginning of next year.

League commissioner of the SA20 Graeme Smith has spoken extensively about the league playing a role in the development of South Africa’s talent.

While there have been breakthroughs with the likes of Ottneil Baartman and Tristan Stubbs — who have become regulars in the national team after dominating in the SA20 — there is still a substantial gap between regular national team players and the next tier of South African players. DM

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South Africa

Back-to-back blows