World Cup 2019: Lance Klusener worried about South Africa’s long batting tail

The South African side has always been the bridesmaids, never the bride, having made it into the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup four times, but not been able to move past into the finals. The latest failure to get into the finals came against New Zealand in the 2015 edition of the mega ICC event. However, they still might feel that their best chance for World Cup glory was in 1999 when they had the match in their grasp until Lance Klusener and Allan Donald miscommunicated.

That resulted in a run out which tied the match and ended the African nation’s journey in the tournament. Tough Klusener was named the Player of the tournament for scoring 281 runs at an average of 140.50, and also taking 17 wickets at 20.58. That loss still hurts him and has him worried for the Proteas squad which has been chosen for the World Cup to be held in England and Wales.

Lower order has to win games at times

Lance Klusener has been working as a coach for various franchises and international teams as well since his retirement from the game. He felt a bit ruffled with the prospect of the team going into the tournament with a playing XI which had a long tail.

“I’m very worried about Andile Phehlukwayo at No 7 and Dale Steyn (or Kagiso Rabada) at No 8. There will be matches where your Nos 7, 8 and 9 will have to win games for you,” Klusener was quoted as saying by Sport24.co.za. He mentioned that it would be better of Phehlukwayo batted at 8 and Pretorius came in at 9.

He also revealed at what position he would like David Miller, one of the most dangerous hitters of the cricket ball and one of the lynchpins of SA batting. “I’d also prefer sending in David Miller in after the 30th over. The long tail is a massive problem. In England you can easily lose four early wickets because the ball moves a lot through the air and off the pitch,” Klusener further mentioned.

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