Marco Jansen: My role is making the ball swing and talk for Proteas
MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN Marco Jansen (picturerd) discusses his role in leading the Proteas bowling attack alongside Kagiso Rabada, emphasising their strategic approach to exploiting bowling conditions and his awe of Rabada's prowess. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL
Image: Michael Sherman/IOL
While it’s difficult not to be awestruck at times with Kagiso Rabada bowling at the other end, Marco Jansen is in no doubt about his job of leading the Proteas bowling attack.
Jansen was speaking as South Africa received a hero’s welcome on Wednesday, after the Proteas beat Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s, in London, over the weekend.
The tall left-arm quick once again proved the perfect foil for Rabada as the pair claimed eight wickets together in the first innings as Australia were bowled out for 212.
That set the tone, and despite a match that ebbed and flowed throughout the contest, the Proteas ultimately emerged convincing five-wicket victors to claim their first piece of major ICC glory (not counting the 1998 Champions Trophy).
Jansen in Awe of Rabada's Mastery on the Field
“I have a job to do and I have a responsibility to make the ball swing and talk and try and get as many wickets as possible, especially with the new ball,” said Jansen.
Bowling with Rabada though, is still sometimes a surreal experience, the 26-year-old explained.
“That guy is good, hey. Every time he gets a wicket, I just... There are a couple of moments or times where he took wickets where I just sort of stood back, sort of like taking in the whole scene, what's happening and stuff like that, reminding me when I was in school, seeing him on TV doing similar things and then sort of snapping out of it in an instant and starting celebrating.
“I think to myself, this is unbelievable. But also at the same time, remembering or telling myself that I also have a job to do.
“I can't just take everything in and just be there and go along for the ride if that makes sense.”
Strategic Approach of Jansen and KG to Maximising Bowling Conditions
While both bowlers are tearaway quicks, Jansen primarily swings it more and extracts more bounce with his height.
“We're different bowlers. We don't go in saying, "Oh cool, we are trying to build a partnership.”
“I think for me and KG it is all about what we do well. So I focus primarily on what I do well and what I need to do to get wickets, and he does the same, and that sort of partnership just develops and happens.
“When it comes to maximising bowling conditions, we adapt our strategies based on the pitch and weather. Whether it’s using the seam movement when conditions are overcast or focusing on swing during humid spells, we adjust without overcomplicating things. We just focus on what we have to do, whatever that is, and then whatever happens, we take it from there. If things are in our favour, we just try and maximise what we can by exploiting the conditions to their fullest potential.”