P Robinson: New, attacking Bacher on his way to the top (24 Oct 1996)

New, attacking Bacher on his way to the top

By Peter Robinson

Two years ago, Adam Bacher didn't think he was good enough for provincial cricket; a year ago he wasn't really enjoying it. Today, the 22-year-old Transvaal opener has blossomed into one of the country's best batting talents - and he's loving every minute of it.

Remarkably, for someone who is only in his third season at senior level, Bacher has already begun to monopolise the individual domestic one-day batting lists.

The highest local score recorded in limited-overs cricket is 146 made by Richard Snell against Western Transvaal two years ago, but second, third and fourth places are filled by Bacher - 140 against North West last Friday, 139 not out against Western Transvaal in Snell's record-breaking match and 137 against Free State at The Wanderers two weeks ago.

All this from a player who until recently was regarded as neat, compact, businesslike but possessed of no great flair. The Bacher of recent weeks has scored freely all around the wicket, going over the top of cover and point when the mood takes him and as he demonstrated against Free State happy to take on some of the best one-day bowlers.

Last November, as a late replacement for the South African A side, Bacher proved he could handle himself in international company when he made 116 against England in Kimberley. But his season never quite caught alight and although he has toured with the SA under-24s in Sri Lanka in 1994, he did not make the South African A side for England this year.

With hindsight, Bacher is not entirely unhappy at missing the England tour. The highlight of his winter was a trip to Malaysia for the inaugural Eights tournament and playing with and among some of the world's leading cricketers gave his confidence a lift.

There have been no major technical alterations to his game this season, but what has changed is his approach.

"When we played Eastern Province at the start of this season I watched the way their top order batsmen attacked us," he said yesterday. "Then I sat down and worked out a game plan which suited me and it seems to have worked.

"I used to go out and defend and wait for the bad balls," he said. "Now I try to hit every ball and if it's not there to block it."

So successful has this attitude proved that Transvaal have been able to cope with the unhappy form of Snell. In their last three games the batting of Bacher and Neil McKenzie has enabled Transvaal to gallop to victory.

Bacher has also deliberately put all thought of representative cricket aside for the time being.

"After the Under 24 tour there were a couple of thoughts in my head which shouldn't have been there. Now I'm just playing. There's no pressure on me from myself and I'm really enjoying it."

When he plays against Northern Transvaal at the Wanderers tomorrow night he will attempt to follow the formula that has begun to work for him so profitably.

"I'll try to get through the first 15 overs and then the game's on. When I'm set I think I can score as quickly as anyone in the country."

Although he was overlooked for the SA A tour, Transvaal coaching manager Ray Jennings believes Bacher has international stamped all over him.

"He's had a few failures and that's why he's succeeding now," said Jennings. "You've got to fail a few times to learn what it is that you're doing wrong so you can correct the faults. Adam's had his failures, and he's grown up as a person and a player because of them.

"There are three Transvaal youngsters who I think could play for South Africa - Neil McKenzie, Nic Pothas and Adam. And the way Adam's playing, the selectors will have to notice him sooner or later."

Source: The Star Newspaper