Former India spinner and head coach Anil Kumble believes the range supplied by South Africa’s tempo trio, that includes Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi, makes them a dominant power even within the non-friendly bowling situations evident within the ongoing Champions Trophy.
On Saturday, the unbeaten South African aspect sunk England to remain on the prime of Group B and storm into the semi-finals. The Proteas kicked off their marketing campaign with an emphatic 107-run victory over Afghanistan.
Rain washed away their second fixture, however they went on to cap off their group stage marketing campaign with a 7-wicket overcome the Three Lions.
South Africa pressured England to bundle out on 179 and Afghanistan on 208, the 2 lowest totals within the ongoing version of the Champions Trophy.
“I think one good thing about South Africa is that all three of their fast bowlers that played today – of course, Mulder is the one who bowls the middle periods – but if you look at the three tall fast bowlers, all of them are really tall. And all of them are different,” Kumble mentioned on ESPNcricinfo’s Match Day present.
Rabada, Ngidi and Jansen have mixed to take 11 scalps in two matches, making them one of the prolific tempo assaults throughout the event.
“Their angles are very different. Rabada is very classical, whereas Ngidi is pretty awkward to face with his action, and Marco Jansen comes at such height. So, all three are very different. So that’s the nature you want in a one-day. That’s the variation,” he mentioned.
“Even on a flat track, it’s not easy for the batters to line up because all three are very different. And that’s something that South Africa can certainly feel [confident about]. They have this kind of quality and variety going into the business end of the tournament,” he added.
Jansen, a lanky left-arm pacer, spearheaded South Africa’s tempo attack towards England on a placid Karachi turf. He thrived on his bounce and eliminated England’s prime three within the powerplay within the first innings to place his aspect in complete management.
“I think he’s still very young, although he has played quite a lot of cricket. He has certainly matured. I’m sure these three wickets [will give him confidence], and also, you can see his athleticism in the field with all those catches. He has improved a lot with his batting as well. He has contributed with the bat on many occasions for South Africa,” Kumble mentioned.
“So in that sense, he’s a complete package for South Africa at No. 7 or No. 8. And with the ball, with the new ball, he can bring the ball back in. He’s tall, so it’s not easy for the batters to just get under him,” he mentioned. “We saw that with Phil Salt; it just took off. It was quite steep, the bounce, and he couldn’t get over it. You need that variety in your bowling attack, and that’s something that South Africa have in plenty,” he added.
Published – March 03, 2025 03:00 am IST
