ABU DHABI // In personnel, they represent only two changes, but South Africa’s XI for the third ODI against Pakistan might as well be an entirely different side to the team that has played in the series.
Not to mention, a stronger one.
That is the difference the return of Dale Steyn and Hashim Amla make to a struggling ODI line-up. The absence of Amla from the top of the order in five out of South Africa’s last seven ODIs has been profoundly felt; the side has not only struggled to put on decent opening stands, it has made the rest of the order look more fragile.
Steyn’s return, though it clearly strengthens any attack, is a greyer case.
Though he is easily on his way to becoming one of the modern-day fast-bowling greats, it is his Test impact that people remember. In ODIs, his has been an intermittent presence and less-devastating impact. Since becoming a regular, in June 2007, he has appeared in 69 of South Africa’s 114 ODIs (and he has not played an ODI since June), a low figure for an acknowledged spearhead.
It has been a deliberate policy to manage his workload, but it is worth pondering whether his absences have cost South Africa from becoming a title-winning ODI side.
With him in the team, South Africa have a win-loss ratio of 1.68 (42 wins, 25 losses) but without him, a slightly higher ratio of 1.76 (28 wins and 16 losses).
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
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