March 2, 2025: Former India spinner and head coach Anil Kumble has praised South Africa’s dominant pace trio—Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen—highlighting their varied bowling styles as a major factor in their success during the ongoing Champions Trophy.
Kumble, speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Match Day show, noted the unique strengths each of these fast bowlers brings to the table. “What stands out about South Africa’s pace attack is the variety they offer. All three bowlers are tall, but their styles are very different,” Kumble said. Rabada is known for his classical pace bowling, while Ngidi has a more awkward action that makes him tough to face, and Jansen, with his towering height, generates bounce that can trouble even the best batsmen.
In the ongoing tournament, South Africa has been in scintillating form, with their pace attack playing a pivotal role. The trio combined to take 11 wickets in just two matches, helping South Africa secure their place at the top of Group B and reach the semi-finals. Kumble emphasized how this variety in their bowling makes them a force to be reckoned with, even on flatter wickets. “Even on a flat track, it’s not easy for the batters to line them up because all three bowlers are different, and that’s the kind of variation you need in one-day cricket,” he added.
Jansen, in particular, has been a standout performer, taking crucial wickets and providing South Africa with early breakthroughs. His performance against England was exemplary, as he removed their top three batsmen during the powerplay, putting his team in a commanding position. Kumble lauded Jansen’s all-around skills, noting that he’s grown not just as a bowler but also as a batsman and a fielder. “Jansen is still very young, but he’s matured a lot. His athleticism in the field and contributions with the bat have added value to the team,” said Kumble.
Jansen’s towering bounce has been particularly effective, as seen when he bowled a steep delivery that proved too much for England’s Phil Salt to handle. Kumble praised Jansen’s ability to bring the ball back in and generate uncomfortable bounce, making him a complete package for South Africa, especially when bowling with the new ball.
As South Africa heads into the business end of the tournament, Kumble believes their varied and potent pace attack gives them a strong edge. With Rabada, Ngidi, and Jansen in top form, the Proteas have every reason to feel confident about their chances in the Champions Trophy.