Imag Credit- Getty
Eight scores of 300 or more this year. In their last
seven games, they have accrued six over-300 totals and two over-400 totals.
This World Cup has already seen three 300-plus scores, including a 229-run
demolition of the reigning champions England. All of this while hitting with
the tournament’s highest level of explosiveness. why then is there a catch?
The reason behind this is that all but one of those
accomplishments came when batting first.
All of their brilliant batting performances have been
documented when batting first, with the exception of their successful chase of
343 against England at home back in January. Additionally, all three of their
victories in this World Cup have come when batting first.
They struck out one shy of another 400 in their final
match against England despite losing the toss and yet getting to bat first.
Later, Jos Buttler acknowledged that England ought to have opened the batting
in Mumbai’s stifling heat and humidity.
This year, South Africa’s chase in ODIs has taken them
outside of their comfort zone. It was clear when, against Netherlands, the
lowest-ranked and only Associate team at the World Cup, they attempted to chase
down 246 (in 43 overs) in Dharamsala but fell far short, barely managing to
reach 200.
With regard to South Africa, it is a novel pattern.
Prior to the defeat against the Netherlands, they had failed to successfully
chase down a target against an Australian attack without Pat Cummins, Mitchell
Starc, and Josh Hazlewood in early September, losing by a score of 123 runs.
The goal for their most recent successful chase, against the Netherlands in
March of this year, was a modest 190. Their last successful chase, against the
World Cup-eligible West Indies, also took place in March.
In summary, South Africa’s formidable batting lineup
has performed admirably when batting first in 2023 but has suffered when
attempting to chase down runs. And if they lose the coin toss on Tuesday
against Bangladesh, they may be required to bat first in Mumbai’s punishing
weather and chase a lofty total because Wankhede may once again offer a level
playing surface with a few short boundaries thrown in as a bonus.
The task South Africa faces on Tuesday might not just
be chasing a target. In March 2022, South Africa lost 2-1 in their final ODI
series against Bangladesh at home. In addition, in both of their two World Cup
defeats to Bangladesh, in 2007 and 2019, South Africa also lost while batting
second.
South Africa learned what an upset feels like early in
the competition as they lost to Netherlands in their second straight World Cup
encounter across formats. If they are given the task of chasing a difficult one
on Tuesday, they will want to demonstrate that their batters can perform
admirably even under duress.