Looking at the World’s New No.1 ODI Team

Sreelata YellamrazuJan 30 2009

Mickey Arthur did not want his team to become number one. But they simply could not help themselves. So, what did make them tick? Here’s a look at a few.

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For starters, Hashim Amla and his team mates were not really interested in the number one. Why? Because in their opinion, it would matter little given that Australia could well win the series against New Zealand and wrest back the number one spot in the ICC ODI rankings. What mattered more and this is something coach Mickey Arthur shared, was the fact that their improvement as a team mattered more over a prolonged period of time and that went beyond what the rankings said. Arthur also felt it was too much pressure with added expectations that go with the number one tag.

But Arthur will just have to help his team to deal with it, because for now, South Africa is the number one team in the one day internationals!

Hashim Amla laid the perfect anchor’s role and despite past prejudices about people dubbing him a Test player, he has adapted well to lay down the foundation in consecutive matches to win astoundingly comprehensive wins for South Africa.

Mark Boucher, the perennial street fighter, was at his very best till an injured toe ruled him out. But it meant AB de Villiers combined his batting skills and lightning quick fielding with the wicket keeping gloves ably enough to not squander valuable opportunities.

Also at lightning speed was JP Duminy who has managed to become a standout star in all aspects alongside experienced pro such as Jacques Kallis.

While Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini have all made valuable contributions to set Australia back after they threatened to run away, Arthur’s excitement to see how the likes of Wayne Parnell and Lonwabo Tsotsobe perform was fulfilled in the final game.

Another stand out factor – Albie Morkel and South Africa’s obsession with the batting power play. It worked like a charm on more than one occasion which would explain why Morkel landed the man of the series award.

Last but not least, skipper Johan Botha came in for a lot of flak in the beginning of the Twenty20 matches, including from Ricky Ponting who thought Botha was not entirely in control of the team after taking over from Graeme Smith when none else wanted it. But not only has he grown in the role but also, come to terms with his own spinning abilities that were reported suspect on the last tour. Not only did he bowl neat and tidy spells, he also managed to rein in his team under his command and play the subtle captain’s role to perfection and managed to walk away with a 4-1 series victory and the number one team in the world tag!

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