Heinrich Klaasen top-scored for the Proteas in a losing cause on Tuesday. Photo: Pradeep Dambarage/BackpagePix
RESULT: Proteas suffer costly defeat to India!
The Proteas are almost certain to have to go through a World Cup qualification campaign after losing to India in the third ODI.
Heinrich Klaasen top-scored for the Proteas in a losing cause on Tuesday. Photo: Pradeep Dambarage/BackpagePix
The Proteas came into Tuesday’s third and final ODI against India with the series level at 1-1, desperately searching for a much-needed win to earn World Cup qualification points.
The South African team had already relinquished 10 critical points in Sunday’s seven-wicket loss to India in the second ODI in Ranchi, and then plunged to 99 al out in a shocking batting display on Tuesday.
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The Proteas could only last 27.1 overs, with Heinrich Klaassen top-scoring with 34, while Janneman Malan and Marco Jansen were the only other players to reach double figures.
As expected, India cruised to the total, losing just three wickets along the way.
There is now almost no doubt that the Proteas will suffer a second successive defeat to end a disappointing trip to India, which comes just before the T20 World Cup. As a result, the SA team are also set to pack their bags for Zimbabwe, where they will need to earn World Cup qualification the hard way.
The Proteas will soon have a new coach at the helm
The tour to India will be one of the last with Boucher at the helm as he is to leave his role after the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.
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Boucher has held the position since December 2019, and led the Proteas to 11 Test wins, including a memorable 2-1 series win against India at home in January this year. The team are also currently number two on the ICC World Test Championship table.
His departure will come a year sooner than his contract was set to expire.
Cricket South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki Moseki has now acknowledged they will need to move quickly to accelerate an unexpected search for Boucher’s replacement.
“To be honest, we were expecting him to be around until the ODI World Cup in India next year. When he engaged with us, it was quite a shock in that sense,” Moseki said.
“You can’t begrudge him for wanting to pursue other opportunities like he said he wanted. At least we agreed that he finishes after the T20 World Cup in Australia.
“It’s never ideal,” added Moseki. “We still though we had over 12 months. When he informed us, then we had to start looking at people but it’s not something we were looking at before.
“We need to have someone in, even if they are not permanent, for the Australia tour at the end of the year especially. And that’s the plan (director of cricket) Enoch (Nkwe) needs to present to me because everything has now been brought forward.”
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Boucher’s last involvements will the team will come at the T20 World Cup in Australia, where South Africa are grouped alongside Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. The tournament will run from 16 October – 13 November.
