South African bowlers are eager to showcase their skills on batting-friendly pitches in Pakistan during the Champions Trophy, where high scores are anticipated. Since 2021, Pakistan has recorded the highest ODI batting averages, with recent matches featuring numerous scores over 300. Keshav Maharaj, South Africa’s leading spinner, acknowledges the challenge and sees it as an opportunity to validate the bowling squad’s caliber. Adapting to the conditions, he plans a more conservative approach, focusing on building pressure and limiting runs. While South Africa’s batting lineup is optimistic about scoring, there’s an awareness of the need for methodical play to succeed.
The bowlers from South Africa are eager to embrace the opportunity to challenge themselves on the batting-friendly pitches of Pakistan, where high scores are anticipated to dominate the Champions Trophy.
“It’s a fantastic chance to showcase the talent within our bowling unit and defend these challenging scores,” Maharaj remarked from Karachi, where South Africa is set to face Afghanistan in their first match on Friday. “While the totals may appear daunting in cricket, scoring 320 has become quite standard when batting first and chasing it down in the 44th or 46th over.”
“This is a significant challenge. As cricketers, if you’re not tested in your skills, there’s little incentive to improve. It’s a great signal to see high scores, as when a bowler prevails, it underscores their quality and value in both the team and the global context.”
Maharaj acknowledged that this scenario might require him to revert to a more traditional containment role while the seamers are expected to lead the attack.
“They’re pleased with the conditions, yet they realize it’s not merely about stepping up and accumulating runs. It’s a systematic approach.”
Keshav Maharaj on the South Africa batters
“Achieving success necessitates building pressure and minimizing boundary balls,” he elaborated. “It’s probably more reminiscent of the holding role typically seen in South Africa. It’s about adapting our field settings rather than completely changing how I bowl. I’m still focused on delivering my best deliveries to create opportunities, but with a more defensive field arrangement, possibly without having a slip for as long. That’s fundamentally the mindset.”
Based on his recent experience in Pakistan, Maharaj has adjusted well. In his only ODI match there last week, he was South Africa’s most economical bowler during a challenging outing where Pakistan chased down 353 with one over remaining—finishing wicketless but allowing just five fours and a six over ten overs, which included 30 dot balls. His economy rate of 5.40 came from experimenting with ways to restrict scoring in conditions where he found “the ball doesn’t turn as much as one might expect.”
Consequently, Maharaj has had to rely on variations in pace. “You still want to attempt to spin the ball because the more revolutions you achieve on the ball, the more flight and drift you can create,” he said. “For me, it’s about employing overspin and sidespin while varying my speeds so that batters struggle to line me up using their footwork.”
South Africa intends to use their spinners in a supportive capacity while loading their squad with seam bowlers—boasting five seamers and two specialist spinners. This approach corresponds with statistics indicating which types of bowlers succeed in Pakistan. Since 2021, pace bowlers have taken 180 wickets in 44 innings at an average of 36.02, outperforming spinners who average 43.98. However, spinners have bettered their economy at 5.49 compared to the seamers’ 6.02, suggesting that pace bowlers might face more challenges, which Roux noted demands “thorough planning and execution” to mitigate.
This also implies that batters, particularly those who favor when the ball comes onto the bat as many South Africans do, would be eager for big runs. When asked if players like Temba Bavuma, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller were walking around grinning, Maharaj suggested that while they were content, they were also cautious about counting their blessings too soon.
“They’re quite pleased with the conditions, but they realize it’s not just a matter of showing up and scoring runs. It requires a process and methodology,” Maharaj stated. “When the conditions favor batting, you tend to train harder to maximize the opportunity presented to you. I don’t sense any complacency, even with the favorable conditions for batters; it’s likely you will witness a highly motivated team.”
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s correspondent for South Africa and women’s cricket