Johannesburg – “I believe ‘experience’ to be experience,” Loki, the antagonist from the Avengers film series, declared moments before he was destroyed in the penultimate installment of the billion-dollar franchise.
Mark Boucher, the departing coach of the Proteas, expressed this attitude following the team’s devastating Test series loss to England earlier this week.
“This is not a school, this is Test cricket,” stated Boucher as he addressed South Africa’s batting difficulties, which cost them the chance to win their first Test series against England in a decade.
He mentioned how England’s bowlers exposed and exploited the Proteas’ mechanical deficiencies and how unfamiliar the conditions were for the majority of the Proteas batsmen, who were playing in England for the first time.
“The only way to acquire experience is to actually play,” stated Boucher.
The development of one of South Africa’s greatest batters was cited by Boucher as an example of “experience being experience.”
“Hashim Amla’s method from when he began to where he is today – that’s conditioning over a long period of time, a lot of experiences, going through a few ups and downs, and that’s what these boys have to go through,” he said.
This is the question that Boucher’s successor as coach will need to answer prior to South Africa’s next Test match in Australia in three months.
To remain with the current lineup of hitters, knowing that Rassie van der Dussen and, more significantly, Temba Bavuma will be available Down Under, or to bring in a whole new lineup?
Given the recent Test cricket experience of young players such as Ryan Rickelton, Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne, and Khaya Zondo, it may be preferable to stick rather than twist.
The Proteas were obliged to make substitutions at The Oval because to Van der Dussen’s injury and Aiden Markram’s poor performance.
“We backed our batsmen in situations where the ball moved around a little,” Boucher remarked. “They haven’t produced, which has become a problem for us.”
“In the most recent Test, we were compelled to provide opportunities to other players. You can’t continue to rely on the same individuals, as their continued failure affects their mindset.
“No matter how hard they strive, it becomes like sinking sand: the harder they try, the faster they fall. The batting was problematic. Our highest mean was 27… We cannot avoid it, which is undesirable, and we must find a solution.”
It will no longer be Boucher’s duty. He informed the players of his resignation immediately after The Oval Test.
Due to the restricted amount of Tests played by the Proteas, the additional pressure placed on South African players must be taken into account.
“You may back non-scoring players if there are other players around them who are scoring and if your team is winning Test matches.
“You want to back guys, but if you’re not scoring runs as a team, then those low stats are going to stand out,” Boucher said.
“It’s easy to say ‘go out there and play freely,’ but there are consequences when players are competing for Test berths and careers.
“There is no message that hasn’t been sent to batters to play with the same method that brought them here in the first place.
“You don’t want to change them too much, which allows them to say, ‘Well, I came in here playing my way, I’ve gone into Test cricket, you’ve attempted to change me, and perhaps I should have just been myself.’
“Perhaps we might go back and say, ‘Let’s look at you playing in all these different settings and experiencing all of this, and the next time you return, try to do it right’.”