Kirsten’s hand starting to show?

The South African cricket leadership have already copped some serious criticism for their management decisions regarding the rest and recuperations of certain players, resulting in rustiness in the lead-up to the decisive third one-day international against Australia at Kingsmead in Durban. But ultimately, it seems as if some of their decisions have been vindicated, as the Proteas struck back with an emphatic 80-run win against Australia at St. George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.

The resounding victory could partially be attributed to four half-centuries, by David Miller, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy and Graeme Smith.

The bowling attack applied the pressure beautifully, and Morné Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Johan Botha bowled excellently.

Morkel was deservedly named man of the match for his four for 22 in dismantling the top- and middle-order of Australia.

Perhaps the most heartening aspect of the victory in Port Elizabeth, was Smith’s contribution. He scored 57 and featured in a 142-run partnership with Kallis for the second wicket.

The former captain is not the most popular cricketer globally or locally. Let’s put it this way: he might not be asked to write a preview for Dale Carnegie’s book How to win friends and influence people.

But he is an important cog in the South African cricket wheel.

He is the only cricketer around, apart from Ricky Ponting, who has scored three centuries in the fourth innings of test matches, to set up vital wins for his country.

Smith is a fighter and a strong-willed character. He is also a player whose approach to bowling attacks resembles that of a knockout-specialist on the verge of sending his opponent to the canvas.

South Africa need Smith to find his mojo, and to score one-day international and test centuries as soon as possible.

His fall from public (fan) grace because of his decision not to face the media at Oliver Tambo International after the South African exit from the Cricket World Cup, is well-documented.

He was berated and heavily criticised on social networks for his temerity in going to Ireland to visit his then girlfriend (she later became his wife) instead of facing the media in Johannesburg.

Smith has apologised, and although the SA fan memories might be long, the local cricket supporters will forgive him, especially when he scores big centuries to win the country a test and a one-day series.

Many people, including this journalist, criticised the selection committee for resting Smith instead of requesting him to rather play in the SuperSport Series matches.

The truth has been established since then, and the ‘culprit’ was Gary Kirsten, the national coach. He was the man who asked Smith if he would opt to play in the Pro20 Internationals, or rather in the SuperSport Series matches in order to get himself ready.

He opted to represent South Africa.

Kirsten’s decision was vindicated, and his approach in dealing with senior players might still win over the players and the public when it is established that it pays dividends.

One of the rested players who is yet to perform to his true potential, is Dale Steyn.

He has been off-colour so far in the one-day internationals, and in Port Elizabeth, conceded 57 runs in 10 overs.

South Africa will need Steyn to be ready for the test series, as there is very little reserve strength available in the group of 14 that was selected for the test series.

It is expected that Lonwabo Tsotsobe will be the third seam bowler, with Imran Tahir getting the nod as leg-spinner.

If Steyn is expensive and Tahir goes for plenty, the balance of the SA bowling attack will be severely compromised, and the Australians might be off to a proverbial flyer.

Who will do the tidying up and bowl maidens after maidens if the very economic left-arm spinner Paul Harris is not selected in the final line-up?

It might be required of the 36-year-old Kallis to fulfil that duty, and it might be a bridge too far for him to bowl 15 to 20 economic overs per day, and be as fresh as a daisy to bat at number four.

One thing that has been evident of the SA team is their willingness to put in the hard yards prior to the deciding one-day international and the test series.

Stung into action by their overwhelming defeat at SuperSport Park, they trained with intensity in Port Elizabeth.

The win in Port Elizabeth might just be the tonic that will energise this team to win the decider in Durban.

Kirsten is a workaholic and his enormous work-ethic might be to the benefit of the SA team in the current series.

Expect Gazza to have an enormous impact on the team and on players like Smith as well as the recalled left-hander Jacques Rudolph, when the test series gets under way.

If Gazza can resurrect the one-day career of Smith, and add value to his test career,South African fans will ultimately be happy – even if they currently hate to love Smith.