South Africa bowling coach Vinnie Barnes wants more from his charges - insisting 'I'm not satisfied yet!'
Pace-attack can do better at Edgbaston says coach
South Africa bowling coach Vinnie Barnes wants more from his charges - insisting 'I'm not satisfied yet!"
The Proteas much-heralded pace-attack improved leaps and bounds from the first Test at Lord's to the second in Leeds.
After labouring during the high-scoring draw at Lords, they dismissed England for 203 and then 327 at Headingley to ensure a 10-wicket victory.
But coach Barnes believes Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini and Jacques Kallis can deliver even more in the third Test at Edgbaston next week.
He said: "I'm not satisfied yet.
"I have spoken to each and every one of them (since the end of the second Test) - and they were probably 50 per cent better (than at Lord's)."
But, on reflection, Barnes then quickly revised this estimation.
Too high
"That's probably too high," he said. "They were better, but we still have work to do.
"There were periods where we bowled exceptionally well, to limit them to an eight-run partnership in an hour on the last morning and to keep the wicketkeeper (Tim) Ambrose and (Andrew) Flintoff quiet (in the afternoon).
"But there are periods where we lose our disciplines and try to bowl teams out - especially at the nine, 10 and 11."
The coach has already specified to each of his charges what they need to do before the start of the third Test next Wednesday.
He said: "Purely from where we were at Lord's to where we are now, is a lot different.
'Millionaire' ball
"But we still have to tweak it here and there. Dale has got his pace up nicely; he is hitting some good areas, but he still tries to look for that 'millionaire' ball.
"He just has to stay nice and disciplined.
"It was good to see Makhaya running in quite hard again. That's what I want to see from Makhaya."
As for Morkel, he wants a more consistent line from the 6ft 7in beanpole, who unsettles batsmen with his bounce as well as pace.
"I actually think his lines were more important than his lengths," said Barnes.
"He was either too wide outside the off or down the leg. But overall, I am very happy with where they are."
Barnes will be working on Morkel and Steyn in the nets as the pair are likely to be rested - alongside opening batsman Neil McKenzie and possibly captain Graeme Smith - for this week's tour match against Bangladesh A at Worcester.
Seamers Andre Nel and Monde Zondeki, left-arm spinner Robin Peterson and batsman JP Duminy could instead play.
