Proteas’ batting a concern ahead of World Cup

South African cricket team’s batting line-up has been measured and found wanting in the second One-Day International against Sri Lanka in Centurion.

The Proteas limped to a paltry 251 all out in the 46th over after losing the toss and being sent in to bat.

Quinton de Kock, who’s been in sublime form this season, ensured that the Proteas got off to just about the perfect start. He shared in 91-run opening partnership with Reeza Hendricks, with de Kock the aggressor clubbing his fastest 50 in ODI cricket off just 36 deliveries.

He continued with Captain Faf du Plessis in a 40-run stand and was on 94 from just 70 deliveries with South Africa cruising on 131 for one when he was needlessly dismissed off a leading edge, off the bowling of seamer Thisara Perera.

Perera struck again in his next over with the wicket of Rassie van der Dussen for two, but South Africa still wasn’t in any imminent danger on 137 for three in the 23rd over.

Wiaan Mulder, one of Otis Gibson’s preferred candidates to fill the batting all-rounder position, also failed to step up to the plate. He was unceremoniously bowled around his leg out by Vishwa Fernando for 17.

Skipper du Plessis who’s also enjoyed some good form in all formats this summer, became the 10th South African to score 5-thousand ODI runs before notching up his 32nd one day half-century. He departed for 57 not long after, and that’s where South Africa’s resistance started to crumble. They lost their last six wickets for just 31 runs.

Spinner Dananjaya da Silva had Andile Phelukwayo and then David Miller back in the hut in consecutive overs and the Proteas were in some serious trouble on 235 for seven in the 40th over. No one would have expected too many runs from the long tail. They managed to add 18 more runs to take South Africa past 250 mark.

South Africa bowled out for 251 at the beginning of the 46th over, was well below the average first innings score at Supersport Park and an even more disappointing total considering that their projected score at the half-way stage was well in excess of 350 runs.