Proteas coach Rob Walter: 'Strategically we might have got a few things wrong'

By Nasri Alexander
18th October 2023

Proteas coach Rob Walter admits his team might have to re-look some of their strategies after falling to a shock defeat against the Netherlands at the World Cup.

Walter's charges came crashing down to earth following a 38-run win loss to the Dutch in Dharamsala after starting the global tournament with two impressive victories over Sri Lanka and Australia.

After Temba Bavuma had won toss and elected to field in the rain-affected 43-over contest, the Proteas bowlers reduced the opposition to 140-7 with nine overs remaining.

It was at that point in the game that Walter feels his team faulted as the Dutch still managed a total of 245-8 before the Proteas' batters crashed and burned as they were bowled out for 207.

The Proteas mentor said after the game: "We weren't good enough, particularly at the end of their innings and at the start of our innings. Strategically we might have got a few things wrong.

"Maybe I got our ratios wrong in terms of the slower ball versus hard length and on-pace deliveries. At 140/7 you're in control of the game, so to not be able to close out the innings at the death is disappointing.

"The momentum shifted then, but we back ourselves to chase 240. But we got off to a very poor start and that put us on the back foot."

Instead of sitting at the top of the league table after three games, the Proteas now take on current world champions England in Mumbai on Saturday looking to get their campaign back on track.

With a potential log-jam on the cards as teams fight for a top four position and a place in the semifinals, Walter knows it is important to put the shock loss behind them quickly.

"We'll do a proper dissection of the game, but it's really what you take from this game that makes you better in the next game," The Proteas mentor said.

"That's ultimately the question we ask ourselves after every game. Win or lose, what are the lessons that we take and how do we use those to be better next time round? And, to be honest, we could probably chat for quite long this time.

"There's a lot to learn, good and bad. I don't need to point out the obvious; the numbers tell us that. The learnings are there. It's about us being open enough to be able to take them on board and move forward."