What was Crowe saying?
Well, South Africa was named as one of the favourites to win the tournament, not all is lost, but the skipper needs to ensure victories in the remaining matches.
Undoubtedly, Crowe is a Black Cap, but he knows potential when he sees it and the letter is to help de Villiers culminate it.
Although South Africa lost points against India, it's not the end of the world and they can still qualify since four teams make it out of each group.
De Villiers should take a page from the Brendon McCullum book and lead his men to victory. However, forgetting McCullum, Crowe uses the legendary Nelson Mandela as inspiration. Nobody could lead successfully like Madiba. So South Africa should feel the Madiba Magic wash over them. They should remember 8 December 2013 at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, how Madiba Magic inspired them in their victory against India. Or use Pink Day, they've excelled on Pink Day. Meaning, that is how South Africa should play.
As the skipper, "feel the presence of Madiba" and transfer it to the team. Using this, encourage each individual to reach their full potential. Let the badge on their hearts guide them.
The Inside Edge panel discussed the option of a fourth seamer countless times. Recently, Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith said Wayne Parnell should play and indeed he did. Disappointingly, it was not one of his finest performances but that doesn't mean he should be dropped. Instead, he should be empowered. Plus, he can bat well down the order.
Together, de Villiers and Allan Donald should switch the bowling up a notch. Using the seamers at hand, the best new ball pair should be established. Without Vernon Philander, the seamers should still be able to rip through any batting order. For instance, de Villiers has once bowled Steyn beyond the mandatory powerplay. When Steyn was ready to bowl, he signalled to his skipper by stretching. By then, he could feel the ProteaFIRE and that's when you want him to bowl - crazy eyes and all.
Remember when de Villiers said Tahir would play against India? Well, why wouldn't he, when he's one of the few players who plays for the badge on his heart. You can't help but think, if everyone played like that, then South Africa would be at the top of Pool B.
No disrespect to Duminy, but he starts off well in his two or so overs, then goes off the rails. Our skipper should whisper something encouraging, something that awakens his inner cobra. Duminy is not just there to slow down the run rate, but to take some wickets.
Against India, I was waiting for de Villiers to bring himself into the attack. When the time is right, the skipper should bowl and over or two, taking one or two wickets with him.
As the skipper, when you feel yourself drowning under a big partnership or an expensive over, look to your right-hand man. Amla is there to share the load and this is when his calm nature takes affect. Ask for his help and opinion. It was pretty obvious de Villiers was withering away against India.
After his injury, de Kock hasn't been playing like the guy who scored three consecutive centuries. While batting with Amla, he would smash the ball to all corners of the ground while Amla remained guarded. De Kock needs to find that again.
Now and again, there have been cries that du Plessis should be dropped. Maybe people have changed their minds now that he has scored that much needed half century against India. But he's not the same anymore. He appears to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. Maybe the pressure of shedding that label that's used to describe the South African cricket team is getting to him. Together, de Villiers and du Plessis can be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to batting and fielding.
Nevertheless, it's not just du Plessis, the skipper looks like he has spent months in the Amazon or Survivor. As a team, their performances aren't the only thing that should represent world cup winners, so should they. A shave here and a brush there will do wonders.
Victories usually follow when both batting and bowling come right.
I don't know about you but that letter made me laugh as well as cry. So this is what I got out of it.
