Africa-Press – South-Africa. Former Proteas World Cup hero and now seasoned coach Lance ‘Zulu’ Klusener sincerely hopes that Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the current national team setup have their ducks in a row following this week’s announcement that next year’s ODI series against Australia has been cancelled.
The financially embattled local governing body on Wednesday stated the difficult, controversial decision had been made in favour of recalling the national players for duty in the new franchise T20 tournament, a belated attempt at stabilising the coffers.
While most stakeholders have expressed, at the very least, their understanding of the situation, the Proteas forfeit a potentially crucial 30 log points in the ICC’s World Cup Super League, the bilateral mechanism that determines automatic qualification for next year’s 50-over showpiece in India.
Only the top eight teams on the table do so.
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The Aussie forfeit means the Proteas only have matches against India (away), England (home) and the Netherlands (home) to improve their log position, with the real possibility of having to go to Zimbabwe next year to qualify.
They currently languish in 11th position.
“The last thing you want to do is find yourself in the post-qualifying tournament,” Klusener told Sport24 from Bulawayo, where he’s part of Zimbabwe’s qualifier campaign to reach this year’s ICC T20 World Cup.
“There’s pressure playing at the World Cup, but let me tell you I’ve experienced it firsthand a few times [with Zimbabwe and Afghanistan] to pre-qualify for a showpiece tournament and I can confidently say that’s some serious pressure.”
A common perception would be that such a qualifying tournament would merely be a nuisance to a pedigreed team like the Proteas against associate nation opposition, but it’s a faulty one.
As things currently stand, Temba Bavuma and his troops could easily also have to face teams of the calibre of Sri Lanka, the West Indies and even the selfsame Australia.
Only the top two teams from the qualifying tournament progress to the World Cup.
“There’s a lot at stake for everyone in such a tournament, even the smaller sides. Don’t underestimate their motivation levels,” said Klusener.
“That said, I can’t see South Africa finishing so lowly that they’d have to go to Zimbabwe. With the forfeiture of the Australian series, I hope some careful thought would’ve gone into making sure the remaining bilateral series provide them with enough of an opportunity to qualify automatically.
“Because, as I said, going to a qualifying tournament becomes a lottery. You don’t want to end up there.”
The Proteas commence a three-match ODI series against England – which is separate from 2020’s rescheduled ODI series – on Tuesday.
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