Why Farhaan Behardien is a Protea

Farhaan Behardien is a much-maligned figure in the Proteas limited-overs sides, but coach Russell Domingo says his record “over the last year has been really good”.

Cape Town - Farhaan Behardien is a much-maligned figure in the Proteas limited-overs sides, but coach Russell Domingo says his record “over the last year has been really good”.

The 32-year-old Titans slugger, who was born and bred in Cape Town, is tasked with the “finisher” role at number six or seven in the ODI and Twenty20 sides, which he has fulfilled with aplomb in domestic cricket over the last few years.

He has consistently been among the top run-scorers for the Titans in limited-overs cricket, but has battled at times to clear the boundary when turning out for the Proteas.

Behardien, who is also a part-time medium-pacer, hasn’t had that one major breakthrough innings to announce his arrival on the international stage a la Chris Morris the other night at the Wanderers.

He has a highest score of 70 in a one-day international against World Cup finalists New Zealand last August and 36 in a T20 game against the same opponents.

But Behardien has been quite consistent over the last 12 months, contributing with a number of scores in the 30s and several not outs. His speed between the wickets and ability to hit the gaps are his strengths, while his one favourite boundary shot is the inside-out drive over extra cover.

Over the last 12 months in ODI cricket, Behardien has scored 449 in 16 innings at an average of 44.90, with six not outs, and a strike-rate of 101.12.

During 2015 in the T20 format, the right-hander has batted six times for 109 runs at an average of 54.50, with four not outs, and a strike-rate of 115.95.

This has resulted in Behardien holding on to his place in the ODI side ahead of David Miller during the England series after the Proteas opted to pick two bowling all-rounders in David Wiese and Chris Morris to ensure they have five front-line bowlers.

Miller has had a tough time in the last 12 months in ODIs, totalling 368 runs in 16 innings at an average of 26.28, with two not outs, and a strike-rate of 101.09.

The other contender for the number six spot in the ODI side is Rilee Rossouw, who replaced JP Duminy for the series decider against England last Sunday. Rossouw was in the saddle since last year’s World Cup, but couldn’t play against India due to a stress fracture in his foot, and sat out of two of the five-game England series.

His ODI record over the last 12 months saw him score 444 runs in 14 innings, at an average of 37.00, with two not outs, and a strike-rate of 89.87.

“In the 50-over format, he has done a really good job for us. Farhaan takes a lot of flak, but he’s record over the last year has been really good. I know people say he hasn’t got a 50, but he’s got so many not outs and when you are batting at six and seven, that’s important – being able to get those not outs and finish games and innings for us,” Domingo said ahead of Friday’s first T20 international against England at Newlands (6pm start).

“He’s an experienced player, very mature. He’s done that for many years for the Titans. People often say ‘But why is he playing?’. In the two overs he bowled in Centurion, Imran Tahir was having a bad day and Farhaan bowled two overs for 12 at a crucial stage of the game. Instead of us chasing 335, we chased 319.

“So, it might look minuscule in the context of the game, but in the overall picture, it was a massive two overs. Because if Immy had bowled those two overs – and he was struggling – he could’ve gone for 25. Chasing 319 instead of 335 is a big difference.”

Domingo highlighted Behardien’s vital 32 not out off 23 balls in partnership with JP Duminy to clinch a T20 series victory in India last October.

“Farhaan did reasonably well for us in the 50-over format in India, with the ball and also in the T20s,” the coach said. “He played in two (with the third game washed out), and he did nicely. He finished the game with JP in Dharamsala, but people look past that. They just look at the one poor dismissal, unfortunately. That’s the way it goes.”

* Follow @IndyCapeSport for live updates of the first T20 international between the Proteas and England at Newlands on Friday evening, which starts at 6pm.

ashfak.mohamed@inl.co.za

@IndyCapeSport

Independent Media