So much hard work expended into what would have been a record run-chase on one of the most difficult grounds in the world to chase a target, only for it to splutter and die at the critical stage.
Batting wise SA clearly missed a lower order power hitter which they haven't had since the days of Klusener and Pollock. I was unimpressed with the lengths they bowled at the start of the innings. It was almost as if they had made up their mind that subcontinental players can't play short balls. That approach has cost them a lot over the years. And, let's not talk about the death bowling, its well known. I think rotation of seam bowlers is necessary because Rabada hasn't been himself in ODI cricket for 2 years now.
I take all of your points but, before the series began, all the bowlers were talking about the importance of adjusting their lengths to subcontinental conditions...they knew what they had to do, but just couldn't get it right in the first game. A lifetime of bowling a certain length take a bit of game time to change, I guess... :)
Batting wise SA clearly missed a lower order power hitter which they haven't had since the days of Klusener and Pollock. I was unimpressed with the lengths they bowled at the start of the innings. It was almost as if they had made up their mind that subcontinental players can't play short balls. That approach has cost them a lot over the years. And, let's not talk about the death bowling, its well known. I think rotation of seam bowlers is necessary because Rabada hasn't been himself in ODI cricket for 2 years now.
I take all of your points but, before the series began, all the bowlers were talking about the importance of adjusting their lengths to subcontinental conditions...they knew what they had to do, but just couldn't get it right in the first game. A lifetime of bowling a certain length take a bit of game time to change, I guess... :)