South African Domestic Season 2008/9

[Langeveldt]

Jacques Rudolph is back with the Titans. Last seen in South Africa playing for the Eagles, Rudolph is coming back home to fill the void left by Martin van Jaarsveld, who is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

Titans CEO Elise Lombard - "Cricket South Africa (CSA) approved the deal on Friday and we're happy to have one of our son's back in the fold".

The Titans are currently leading SuperSport and Rudolph's arrivial will only strengthen their four day domestic domanice.

What? The guy is a sell-out, should go back to Yorkshire where he belongs for mine.. Seeing as he would rather play for them than South Africa, even though he was dropped, he was never out of the frame totally

 

[TT Boy]

What? The guy is a sell-out, should go back to Yorkshire where he belongs for mine.. Seeing as he would rather play for them than South Africa, even though he was dropped, he was never out of the frame totally

Was asked to fill the role which Neil Mac eventually took but didn’t fancy it. My only real problem with Rudolph returning is that Pieter Malan, a young batsman has been dropped for him. Malan can play for South Africa but Rudolph can’t. The Titans already have one ineligible middle order batsman in Faf du Plessis, now they have two.

 

[TT Boy]

Aside from Captain Smith (injured), Jacques Kallis (injured) and Dale Steyn (rested), South Africa’s entire test squad has been released back to their franchises for Thursday's SuperSport fixtures.

 

[superkingdave]

Yeah Faf misses out...no Tahir either andTitans struggling however.

 

[TT Boy]

Yeah Faf misses out...no Tahir either andTitans struggling however.

CSA told the Titans to play Harris over Tahir as he is the incumbent spinner. Fancy the Titans would probably have gone with Imran given his current form and he could offer more on such a lifeless surface.

Final scorecards...

Warriors 548/6d (Prince 254, Botha 76, Harris 2/102), Titans 531 (Kuhn 203, AB 64, de Bruyn 3/58), Warriors 84/3 (Prince 42, Albie Morkel 2/21) - Draw

Record breaking game for Ashwell Prince and the Warriors (career best for Prince, highest score at Centurion, highest score for the Warriors and the most runs ever conceded by the Titans). Wicket-keeper, Kuhn has probably done himself a few favours, opened the innings and scored his second double of his franchise career but in regard to the next test, Parnell got spanked, as did Albie first innings whilst Ntini did 'ok' given the conditions.

Lions 160 (Phangiso 39, du Preez 3/33, Pietersen 3/50), Eagles 167 (Hendricks 51, Kruger 4/73, Deacon 3/13), Lions 196 (VB van Jaarsvled 88, Pietersen 4/44, Mpitsang 3/24), Eagles 180 (Human 43, Alexander 4/28, de Wet 3/54) - Lions won by 9 runs

Nice low scoring game at Wanderers. Eagles were all set for victory today (90/2) but a short quick nasty spell from Craig Alexander saw the Lions get 3 wickets in no time and put the Eagles under the cosh. A brisk partnership from Human and CJ de Villiers looked to have taken the Eagles to victory but de Villiers fell with only 9 runs left to win and Alexander then returned and took Human out.

Cobras 281 (Davids 113, Canning 55, Abdulla 5/63), Dolphins 366 (Khan 145, Kent 69, JP Duminy 5/108), Cobras 300/2 (Gray 131, van Zyl 103*) - Draw

More runs for Khan. It bodes well for Cape Town that both he and Prince are in rich form. Aside from that, it was JP's first 5 wicket haul. The Cobras bowling attack is shocking but the Dolphins were also hit by the loss of Louw and Friend.

 

[TT Boy]

SuperSport stats...

Most runs
Imraan Khan (Dolphins) - 8 games, 746 runs @ 67.81 (4 100's, 2 50's)
Ashwell Prince (Warriors) - 8 games, 738 @ 56.76 (1 100, 4 50's)
Human (Eagles) - 8 games, 603 @ 40.20 (1 100, 3 50's)

Most wickets
Craig Alexander (Lions) - 8 games, 31 wickets @ 29.87
Makhaya Ntini (Warriors) - 5 games, 26 wickets @ 15.96
Imran Tahir (Titans) - 6 games, 25 wickets @ 25.64

Points Table
Titans - 8 (Games) 4 (4 wins) 0 0 4 (4 draws) 0 95.9 (Points)
Eagles - 8 4 3 (Lost) 0 1 0 88.08
Lions - 8 2 1 0 5 0 66.42
Warriors - 8 1 3 0 4 0 60.5
Dolphins - 8 0 1 0 7 0 48.88
Cobras - 8 0 3 0 5 0 47.4

 

[Manee]

CSA told the Titans to play Harris over Tahir as he is the incumbent spinner. Fancy the Titans would probably have gone with Imran given his current form and he could offer more on such a lifeless surface.

Probably the right decision to make, although I am sure many will disagree. An underlying purpose of the domestic sides is to serve the national side and countries (England) often forget that.

 

[Langeveldt]

Was asked to fill the role which Neil Mac eventually took but didn’t fancy it. My only real problem with Rudolph returning is that Pieter Malan, a young batsman has been dropped for him. Malan can play for South Africa but Rudolph can’t. The Titans already have one ineligible middle order batsman in Faf du Plessis, now they have two.

I have a massive problem with it, we are just letting the Kolpak system hurt our cricket twice over, fine if you don't want to play for SA then leave, but you shouldn't be granted a place back

 

[TT Boy]

I have a massive problem with it, we are just letting the Kolpak system hurt our cricket twice over, fine if you don't want to play for SA then leave, but you shouldn't be granted a place back

Would be some irony if Malan went Kolpak, stating he couldn’t get a gig domestically because a Kolpak cricketer has taken his place.

 

[popepouri]

Would be some irony if Malan went Kolpak, stating he couldn’t get a gig domestically because a Kolpak cricketer has taken his place.

I'd be pissed off if that happened.

 

[popepouri]

I've noticed Ahmed Amla has been putting some consistent performances this season and I've noticed he hasn't done it over 1 or 2 seasons but he's averaged over 40 for the last 4 seasons, 3 of them over 45.

The same goes for Arno Jacobs who's also been consistent over the last couple of years.

You think it's a possibility he could get noticed internationally one day? Possibly touring ahead of Neil Mac.

 

[TT Boy]

Nel retires from international cricket

Andre has gone Kolpak with Surrey for the next three years and interestingly he hasn't been involved with the Lions in recent weeks (turning out for Gauteng), despite his domestic ban being completed.

Good servant to South African cricket and when Ray Jennings was national coach, he was a top bowler.

Edit - Nel has copped another ban and is banned for the last two SuperSport games and the first game of the 2009/10 season.

 

[TT Boy]

I've noticed Ahmed Amla has been putting some consistent performances this season and I've noticed he hasn't done it over 1 or 2 seasons but he's averaged over 40 for the last 4 seasons, 3 of them over 45.

The same goes for Arno Jacobs who's also been consistent over the last couple of years.

You think it's a possibility he could get noticed internationally one day? Possibly touring ahead of Neil Mac.

Ahmed Amla is a pretty brutal player when he gets going, polar opposite to his younger brother who is classy and relies on excellent timing and great wrists. As you say he has been pretty consistent over the past few seasons in all cricket but like Ontong, I just see him as a good (decent) domestic pro.

Arno Jacobs is nice on the eye but the Jacobs who I really like at the Warriors is Davey but he isn’t consistent enough.

 

[TT Boy]

Edit - Nel has copped another ban and is banned for the last two SuperSport games and the first game of the 2009/10 season.

He isn’t (playing for the Lions) so he must have appealed or was successful with an appeal.

SuperSport penultimate round...

Day 1

Lions 296 (Cook 90, Neil Mac 76, van Zyl 4/36), Cobras 18/0

Epic collapse from the Lions, were at one point 242 for 2 before succumbing the part-time medium pace of van Zyl.

Eagles 178 (Rossouw 109, Elgar 16, Morne 6/43), Titans 107/2 (Snijman 45)

Career best figures for Morne, top innings from young Rossouw who has had a fantastic debut season. Already an intergal part of the Eagles team.

Warriors 162 (Arno Jacobs 42, Abbot 5/18), Dolphins 51/7 (Olivier 5/31)

Overcast conditions will continue tomorrow, so the game could well be on its way to a finish by then. Franchise debut and Michelle for Kyle Abbot, who played some second team cricket in his early teens for Somerset and Mario Olivier who took a 10 wicket haul in franchise cricket only a year or so ago comeback for his first game of the year and took fifer.

 

[TT Boy]

Lions 296 (Cook 90, Neil Mac 76, van Zyl 4/36), Cobras 434 (Puttick 174, Levi 57, de Wet 3/74), Lions 242 (Cook 59, Nel 51, Henderson 4/64), Cobras 107/4 (Levi 46*, de Wet 2/9) – Cobras win

Warriors 162 (Arno Jacobs 42, Abbot 5/18), Dolphins 123 (Smit 36, Olivier 5/38), Warriors 358/8d (Smuts 77, Jacobs, Arno and Davey 64, Smit 4/88), Dolphins 166 (Khan 43, Olivier 6/59) – Warriors win

Eagles 178 (Rossouw 109, Morne 6/43), Titans 210 (Snijman 45, Pietersen 5/47), Eagles 169 (Bailey 44, Morne 6/48), Titans 139/0 (Kuhn 78*) – Titans win

Barring a miracle, the Titans have once again secured the SuperSport title.

 

[popepouri]

Lions 296 (Cook 90, Neil Mac 76, van Zyl 4/36), Cobras 434 (Puttick 174, Levi 57, de Wet 3/74), Lions 242 (Cook 59, Nel 51, Henderson 4/64), Cobras 107/4 (Levi 46*, de Wet 2/9) – Cobras win

Warriors 162 (Arno Jacobs 42, Abbot 5/18), Dolphins 123 (Smit 36, Olivier 5/38), Warriors 358/8d (Smuts 77, Jacobs, Arno and Davey 64, Smit 4/88), Dolphins 166 (Khan 43, Olivier 6/59) – Warriors win

Eagles 178 (Rossouw 109, Morne 6/43), Titans 210 (Snijman 45, Pietersen 5/47), Eagles 169 (Bailey 44, Morne 6/48), Titans 139/0 (Kuhn 78*) – Titans win

Barring a miracle, the Titans have once again secured the SuperSport title.

A few notes:

Mario Olivier shows up for his obligatory AWESOME performance for the season, only to fade back into injury or inconsistency or whatever.

Funny how Morne comes back and takes a crap-load of wickets when he's playing SSS. Either it's a testament on our poor domestic level or he can't cut it at the top level, or maybe a bit of both.

I'm liking Rilee Rossouw. Excellent temperament given how badly the Eagles collapsed.

After all this time, I've never seen Friedel de Wet bowl. What type of bowler is he? Is he tall? I heard he has some pace with him. Judging by his figures, he keeps it pretty tight.

 

[TT Boy]

A few notes:

Mario Olivier shows up for his obligatory AWESOME performance for the season, only to fade back into injury or inconsistency or whatever.

Funny how Morne comes back and takes a crap-load of wickets when he's playing SSS. Either it's a testament on our poor domestic level or he can't cut it at the top level, or maybe a bit of both.

I'm liking Rilee Rossouw. Excellent temperament given how badly the Eagles collapsed.

After all this time, I've never seen Friedel de Wet bowl. What type of bowler is he? Is he tall? I heard he has some pace with him. Judging by his figures, he keeps it pretty tight.

No. Maybe 5'11, similar height to Steyn I would guess. Bowls with a high arm action, quick (140kph average speed), doesn't swing the ball big but he has a very good bouncer. Unlucky that he has been injured for his performances since coming back have been excellent. I did read that one problem is that it is thought that de Wet struggles on flat surfaces and doesn't have enough variety. Good thing for South African cricket though is that he can't be lost to them, as he can't get a work permit to play in England.

I think with Morne, I would say a bit of both and it's not like the Eagles haven't got former internationals in their batting line-up. In regard to Rossouw, hopefully he pushes on and doesn't suffer second season or third season blues like Elgar. I've seen a bit of him and his still got a few faults in his game, gets done with the inswinger too many times but his played some serious knocks under pressure this season. Which is a good sign.

Olivier is a strange one, for even when he occasionally plays for Border, he doesn't do much. I think his last first class game for Border he got smashed but he turns up at his franchise, takes ten wickets in the game and it was only a shortwhile ago he took 10 in one innings for the Warriors.

 

[popepouri]

No. Maybe 5'11, similar height to Steyn I would guess. Bowls with a high arm action, quick (140kph average speed), doesn't swing the ball big but he has a very good bouncer. Unlucky that he has been injured for his performances since coming back have been excellent. I did read that one problem is that it is thought that de Wet struggles on flat surfaces and doesn't have enough variety. Good thing for South African cricket though is that he can't be lost to them, as he can't get a work permit to play in England.

I think I'd place Juan Theron ahead of him though in terms of "next in line" but ahead of CJ. I'll forgive his diabolical action given how consistent he's been in all competitions these past 2 years.

CJ has really struggled with his line recently. Reminds me a bit of Morne but without the pace.

I think with Morne, I would say a bit of both and it's not like the Eagles haven't got former internationals in their batting line-up.

True true. Well he has some time before the next Test. Let's hope he starts off the next season with a bang.

In regard to Rossouw, hopefully he pushes on and doesn't suffer second season or third season blues like Elgar. I've seen a bit of him and his still got a few faults in his game, gets done with the inswinger too many times but his played some serious knocks under pressure this season. Which is a good sign.

Given the Titans attack was mostly pace, he looks like he's making progress. All those pace bowlers are able to move the ball around.

 

[Manee]

I think I'd place Juan Theron ahead of him though in terms of "next in line" but ahead of CJ. I'll forgive his diabolical action given how consistent he's been in all competitions these past 2 years.

Theron hasn't had much of a season this year, has he?

 

[popepouri]

Theron hasn't had much of a season this year, has he?

He's been consistent in all competitions averaging 27 with the ball in SSS and MTN. Had an excellent Pro20 averaging 16 at an ecomony rate of 5.