Anil Kumble Lauds South Africa’s Bowling Attack for Their Variety and Quality in Champions Trophy
Anil Kumble commended South Africa’s bowling attack, particularly the trio of Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi, for their unique combination of angles, quality, and variety. This diverse attack has positioned South Africa as a strong contender in the Champions Trophy, aiding them in achieving significant victories and securing a top spot in their group, despite adverse conditions.
In the ongoing Champions Trophy, Anil Kumble, the esteemed former India spinner and head coach, has praised the South African bowling attack for their unique combination of “angle, quality, variety”. He specifically highlights the effectiveness of their pace trio—Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi—who have proven to be formidable opponents, even in less than favorable bowling conditions.
As of Saturday, South Africa remains unbeaten in the tournament, having recently defeated England to secure a position at the top of Group B and advance to the semi-finals. The Proteas initiated their campaign with an impressive 107-run victory over Afghanistan, although their second match was unfortunately abandoned due to rain. They concluded the group stage with a convincing 7-wicket win over England, limiting their opponents to one of the tournament’s lowest scores.
Kumble noted the distinctiveness of South Africa’s pace bowlers during an ESPNcricinfo Match Day show, emphasizing their height and diversity. He remarked on how the tall bowlers present different challenges to batsmen, making it difficult to settle against them. Kumble stated, “I think one good thing about South Africa is that all three of their fast bowlers are really tall. And all of them are different.”
The trio of Rabada, Ngidi, and Jansen has amassed a total of 11 wickets in just two matches, showcasing their prowess as one of the tournament’s leading bowling attacks. Kumble explained, “Their angles are very different. Rabada is very classical, whereas Ngidi is pretty awkward to face with his action. Marco Jansen comes at such height. So, all three are very different.”
Jansen has been particularly impactful, excelling on the flat pitches in Karachi, especially against England. Kumble praised Jansen for his development as an athlete and his contributions with both bat and ball. He remarked, “I think he’s still very young, although he has played quite a lot of cricket. He has certainly matured… He is a complete package for South Africa at No. 7 or No. 8.”
Kumble highlighted how Jansen’s height allows him to generate steep bounce, making life challenging for batsmen. He indicated that this variety in bowling is vital for South Africa’s success in the tournament, stating, “You need that variety in your bowling attack, and that’s something that South Africa have in plenty.”
Anil Kumble’s analysis emphasizes South Africa’s multifaceted bowling attack as a crucial factor in their success at the Champions Trophy. With distinct talents like Jansen, Rabada, and Ngidi, the team possesses the necessary variety and quality to challenge opponents effectively, even under adverse conditions. Their current unbeaten streak and tactical prowess instill confidence as they progress towards the tournament’s later stages.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
