ICC World Cup 2019 | South Africa needs to rethink its brand of cricket, writes Jacques Kallis

One of the greatest all-rounders to have ever graced the game with 25,000-plus international runs and nearly 600 wickets, Jacques Kallis has been a part of some of the greatest and most successful teams in the country’s history. Hence, it is understandable how much it must pain him to see the Proteas in such dire straits.

Never before had South Africa lost their first five games in a World Cup until the present edition. A few players have lived up to the promise but Kallis feels they don’t need to change the team much but instead focus on their brand of cricket. He took England as an example, considering their are ranked number one presently even though they had a shambolic World Cup four years ago.

"You don't need to make wholesale changes, England are still captained by Eoin Morgan, as they were four years ago. Some will demand everything is changed but a total clean out is just not the way ahead, we need to be more considerate and thoughtful," Kallis wrote in his column for ICC.

Their only win in seven games so far has come against minnows Afghanistan and their loss against Pakistan on Sunday was the final nail in the coffin, confirming their elimination from the group stages for only the second time in their history. 

"The first thing that needs to be looked at is the brand of cricket South Africa are playing and all the players will want to be part of that conversation. There will need to be some honest conversations and they will need to trust each other,” the legend added. 

However, South Africa do have some top performers in their squad apart from young players brimming with raw talent. Though inexperience may have been a major factor behind their dismal showing, with time this bunch of players could mould into world beaters. Eight out of the 15 players were making their World Cup debuts, while four of them are younger than 25 namely Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo and Aiden Markram.

“However, you cannot keep chopping and changing a team and I don't think they will. South Africa has some great young players in their 20s and they can be the foundation for the future. England are proof how quickly things can change in four years, so long as you have the right approach," Kallis concluded.

South Africa still have their pride to play for as they face Sri Lanka on Friday before ending their World Cup campaign against Australia.