In spite of a disastrous batting performance in the opening match against Australia in the ICC T20 World Cup, the bowling and fielding revived our hopes. That was the start of the metamorphosis that unfolded during the tournament.
The Proteas had to steer through the social media terrain of selection criticism, the SJN submissions and the BLM explosion, all creating global focus during the event. The latter bound the unit even tighter.
England in 2015 made the phlegmatic Eoin Morgan captain to create a new T20 approach. Similarly, the Proteas had begun their journey of transformation in the last year and are now developing into an exciting T20 unit. The first steps of the conspicuous structural, mental and strategic change of the team have been taken. It will be exciting to see this metamorphosis unfold.
Rassie van der Dussen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Aiden Markram and Jos Buttler revealed during the tournament their ability to sense the intentions of their opposition. This is not a smash and grab format; it requires intuition, learnt practice and imagination. This game also demands experimentation and risk, both mildly frightening. Ask Mike Gatting, whose reverse sweep in the 1987 ICC CWC led to his dismissal by Allan Border, his team’s downfall and years of castigation! Now that shot is standard fare.
England’s quick bowler, Chris Jordan, has a selection of deliveries that can leave batters in a state of confusion. Dwaine Pretorius is following in his wake. Having all the options is one thing. Success requires the experience and intuition to choose the right one.
This exciting Proteas T20 team requires composed leadership. Morgan radiates calm, good judgment and clarity, as did Ajinkya Rahane who captained India to a Test series win in Australia last year. Temba Bavuma, though bouncier in the field, has a calm and engaging style of leadership. He grew on field as a captain.
Off the field he was sensational. He supported Quinton de Kock to the hilt after De Kock withdrew from the match against the West Indies. By doing so, he left the door open for reconciliation and acceptance. In an interview with Sky News, Michael Holding spoke about the scourge of racism, which he opined has been inbred in us all for centuries. He stated that we should accept and engage with people who admit to their follies and commit to change. The De Kock incident achieved just that.
There are three images of the Proteas in this tournament that will remain with me. The embrace and passion of Kagiso Rabada and David Miller against Sri Lanka as they smashed 18 off the last over to win. The sad look of Van der Dussen, as he accepted the man of the match award, knowing that the team was going home having won four of the five matches. Rabada’s laugh and ironic beam after he took a hat-trick in the last over having gone for 45 runs in three of his previous overs.
Last Saturday was a happy day for SA cricket. The Rainbow Nation team showed how diversity does strengthen us beyond our individual abilities. It is time for this to cascade to the grassroots to do the healing work required.
The Proteas have shown us what is possible. Under Graeme Smith in 2012, SA became the ICC number one cricket team in all three formats of the game. That was achieved in a country where only 10% of the 25,000 schools play after school sport. Let that really sink in. Our sporting potential is extraordinary.
The SA government has shown that they are incapable of being innovative in blending sport, education and life skills into a broader educational philosophy. The current silo academic approach is stifling the children of SA.
The silos of education alone, sport alone or life skills alone are never the answer to a child’s full development. It is the blend of these that will build future generations of positive SA citizens in all walks of life.
It is sport however, that tests children’s ability to handle defeat or be graceful in victory; it encourages sociability, teamwork and discipline; it teaches respect and builds stronger minds. Sport also easily crosses the gender and racial lines producing a sense of oneness and completeness, not division. Sitting behind a desk in a classroom cannot achieve this.
Holistic education is the holy grail. Sport/art/dance plays a role together with maths, accounting and geography to produce rounded children. Add life skills and one has a child who has the wherewithal to live fulfilled lives. It is not complicated.
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