Marco Jansen Breaks Silence on Proteas Bowling Crisis Before Australia Clash
- Marco Jansen is preparing to take on a bigger role as South Africa face Australia in a crucial ODI series
- The Proteas bowling attack has suffered several injury setbacks before the series gets underway
- Jansen has also provided an update on his own fitness and preparation ahead of the Australia clash
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Marco Jansen says he is ready to take greater responsibility for South Africa’s bowling attack after injuries ruled out several experienced fast bowlers ahead of the ODI series against Australia.
Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Ottneil Baartman will all miss the three-match series. Their absences leave Jansen among the more experienced frontline seamers available to Temba Bavuma’s side.
Jansen acknowledged the impact of losing Rabada and Ngidi, describing them as “two world-class bowlers” who understand how to maximise conditions in South Africa.
The 26-year-old said their absence means he will need to step forward.
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“For me personally it sort of feels like I'm gonna have to take that leadership role,” Jansen told SABC Sport.
Proteas bowling attack hit by injuries
Rabada was unavailable after failing to recover from a hamstring injury suffered during winter training. Baartman subsequently suffered a left hamstring injury during the domestic first-class season.
Ngidi then became the latest casualty after sustaining a right hamstring injury while playing for the Titans. The injury was confirmed on 18 September, with Nqobani Mokoena called up as his replacement.
South Africa will face Australia on 24 September at Kingsmead in Durban, before travelling to Johannesburg for the second ODI on 27 September. The series concludes in Potchefstroom on 30 September.
Australia will arrive with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc back in their bowling attack after resting them during the recent ODI series in Zimbabwe.
Jansen gives fitness update
Jansen also revealed that illness affected his preparation before the domestic red-ball season.
He said physiotherapy helped him manage stiffness and rebuild his workload. After completing a spell of around nine or 10 overs in a recent match, he felt his rhythm had returned.
“I felt nice, rhythm was good,” Jansen said.
He now heads into the Australia series believing his bowling is in a good place as South Africa prepare for their first ODI on Thursday.
Source: Getty Images
Graeme Smith’s warning to the Proteas
Briefly News previously reported that former Proteas captain Graeme Smith issued a warning ahead of South Africa’s Australia showdown, identifying the tactical approach he expects the visitors to take.
Smith believes Australia will focus on South Africa’s senior players and try to put them under pressure.
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Source: Briefly News
