South African Domestic Season 2014/15

[SeamUp]

A bit later than usual this pre-season. Especially with 'A' series long under way in Australia.

A big season coming up and possibly some opportunities with what feels like the end of an era with no more Graeme Smith & Jacques Kallis.

But Champions League coming up. Then domestic season kicks off late September, early October with 2 rounds 4-day Sunfoil series. Then Momentum One-Day Cup runs straight through October with 1 or 2 WC spots up for grabs. A lot of ODI cricket means a lot of the One-day players will miss domestic cricket. Ram Slam T20 gets going in November.

New quotas are in place which is not ideal at all. Used be 4 players have to start with 1 'black African' now 5 players of colour have to start of which 2 are 'black African'. Balancing of teams will be difficult and there will be good white players missing out.

 

[SeamUp]

COBRAS

CSA Contracted: Hashim AMLA, JP DUMINY, Robin PETERSON, Vernon PHILANDER, Dale STEYN, Rory KLEINVELDT
Batsmen: Andrew PUTTICK, Omphile RAMELA, Stiaan VAN ZYL, Justin ONTONG (c), Mohamed VALLIE, Richard LEVI, Sybrand ENGELBRECHT, Keegan PETERSEN
Keepers: Dane VILAS, Clyde FORTUIN
Seam-all-rounders : Justin KEMP, Shaheen KHAN
Spinner: Dane PIEDT
Seamers: Beuran HENDRICKS, Mthokozisi SHEZI, Dane PATERSON, Lizaad WILLIAMS, Aviwe MGIJIMA

4-day team

1. PUTTICK
2. RAMELA
3. VAN ZYL
4. VALLIE
5. ONTONG
6. VILAS
7. KEMP/PETERSON
8. PIEDT
9. KLEINVELDT
10. HENDRICKS
11. SHEZI

Levi will probably be first reserve batsman and will play limited overs.
Petersen is a newbie. Still to be convinced but scored runs for Boland.
Engelbrecht earns a franchise contract again after 3 or 4 years. Best fieldsman in SA and put runs on the board for WP. But still to be convinced.
Fortuin is the classy wk/bat who won the u19 WC. Interesting to see if he will be used by Cobras and how with Vilas around.
Khan is an aggressive lower order batsman and outswing bowler with awkward action. With Kemp aging, may get opportunities but Robbie P may play as all-rounder.
Paterson reserve 4-day quick. Runs in all day with good outties. Good season last year.
Williams reserve limited overs quick. Quick-arm action and hurries the batsman.
Mgijima is a limited medium-pacer.

In the SEMI-PRO's there is opener Pieter MALAN who failed to live up to reputation at Titans. To cover the 'black Africans' batsman Lesiba NGOEPE joins from Easterns and seamer Thokozani PETER could push. Spinnner and all-rounder George LINDE has impressed for Western Province but the unluckiest player to miss out on a franchise contract is swing bowler Travis MULLER after impressing in the 4-day comp for Cobras last season.

SCHOOLBOY STARS: Murray COMMINS (17) & Dayyaan GALIEM (17)

 

[SeamUp]

WARRIORS

CSA Contracted: Wayne PARNELL
Batsmen: David WHITE, Vuyisa MAKHAPHELA, Colin ACKERMANN, Colin INGRAM (c), Ryan BAILEY, Michael PRICE, Jon-Jon SMUTS, Christiaan JONKER
Keeper: Davy JACOBS
Spinner: Simon HARMER
Seamers: Andrew BIRCH, Ayebulela GQAMANE, Basheer WALTERS, Rusty THERON, Thandolwethu MNYAKA, Lundi MBANE, Sisanda MAGALA, Solomzi NQWENI

4-day team

1. WHITE
2. MAKHAPHELA
3. ACKERMANN
4. INGRAM
5. JACOBS
6. BAILEY
7. HARMER
8. BIRCH
9. GQAMANE
10. WALTERS
11. MNYAKA

Could do with Parnell playing more 4-day cricket. Scoring runs and taking wickets but will be carried as a reserve in ODI squad probably.

Price will have to fall out with new quotas to Makhaphela as 4-day opener.
Smuts will be reserve 4-day batsman but will definitely come into 1-day team & is now the 2nd spinner too.
Jonker one-day middle order big hitter.
Theron will have to play limited overs only due to quotas. Reserve to Birch for 4-day.
Magala can hold a bat too and is a newbie but more of a line and length type.
Nqweni is fast but erratic.
Mbane is a limited overs change up bowler.

Can't see any SEMI-PRO's breaking in because not many CSA contracted players. Openign batsman Edward MOORE needs continue his good season he had for Eastern Province after getting his Warriors debut last season.

SCHOOLBOY STARS: Matthew BREETZKE (16) & Jerome BOSSR (16)

 

[SeamUp]

DOLPHINS

CSA Contracted: Dave MILLER, Ryan MCLAREN, Imran TAHIR
Batsmen: Imraan KHAN, Divan VAN WYK, Khaya ZONDO, Cody CHETTY, Vaughn VAN JAARSVELD, Cameron DELPORT, Jonathan VANDIAR
Keeper: Morne VAN WYK (c)
Seamer All-rounders: Calvin SAVAGE , Robbie FRYLINCK
Spinners: Daryn SMIT, Keshav MAHARAJ, Prenelan SUBRAYEN, Thandi TSHABALALA
Seamers: Kyle ABBOTT, Craig ALEXANDER, Daryan DUPAVILLON

4-day team

1. KHAN
2. D. VAN WYK
3. ZONDO
4. CHETTY
5. VAN JAARSVELD
6. M. VAN WYK
7. SMIT
8. MAHARAJ
9. ABBOTT
10. MOREKI
11. DUPAVILLON

Delport is limited overs top-order aggressor.
Vandiar injured last season but struggled for a while. Seems he has been around forever but huge season for his future.
Savage would get into the 4-day team but needs to stay injury free. All-rounder of the future.
Subrayen tends to be bowling too quick since re-structuring action. Spins it nicely, just needs to mature.
Tshabalala will get into the team for balance down the line for quotas. Been in the wilderness.
Alexander should be starting but misses out to semi-pro Moreki probably.
Frylinck one-day hitter and change up bowler.

SEMI-PRO's have some talented players all u21. The system working well in KZN.

Batsmen: Mishkal RAMSAROOP, Greg OLDFIELD, Sibonelo MAKHANYA
Seamer All-rounder: Andile PHEHLUKWAYO
Seamers: Craig KIRSTEN, Tshepo MOREKI

SCHOOLBOY STAR: Besides Phehukwayo (18) and Makhanya (18) who still count. All-rounder Bradley HOPE (15)

 

[SeamUp]

KNIGHTS

Batsmen: Reeza HENDRICKS, Gihahn CLOETE, Rilee ROSSOUW, Pite VAN BILJON, Gerhardt ABRAHAMS, Obus PIENAAR, Diego ROSIER, Tumelo BODIBE
Keeper: Rudi SECOND
Spinners: Werner COETSEE (c), Johan DIESKO
Seamers: Quinton FRIEND, Corne DRY, Malusi SIBOTO, Dillon DU PREEZ, Duanne OLIVIER, Tumi MASEKELA, Shadley VAN SCHALKWYK

4-day team

1. HENDRICKS
2. CLOETE
3. ROSSOUW
4. SECOND
5. VAN BILJON
6. ABRAHAMS
7. COETSEE
8. DISEKO
9. DRY
10. FRIEND
11. SIBOTO

Rosier & Pienaar competing with Abrahams for a middle order spot in both versions.
Bodibe probably bought in as reserve opener and keeper.
Du Preez will be used more in limited overs cricket and contribute with his bat down the order.
Masekela & Van Schalkwyk very much fringe medium-pacers.
Olivier reserve strike bowler with experienced du Preez.

Nothing of note in SEMI-PRO's. Left-arm swing bowler Jan FRYLINCK at Griquas but they don't need quicks.

SCHOOLBOY STARS: Raynard VAN TONDER (16) & Sean WHITEHEAD (17)

 

[SeamUp]

HIGHVELD LIONS

CSA Contracted: Alviro PETERSEN, Quinton DE KOCK, Lonwabo TSOTSOBE
Batsmen: Stephen COOK (c), Temba BAVUMA, Neil MCKENZIE (c), Rassie VAN DER DUSSEN, Devon CONWAY, Jean SYMES, Dominic HENDRICKS, Gulam BODI
Seamer All-rounder: Brett PELSER, Shaylen PILLAY, Dwaine PRETORIUS
Keeper: Thami TSOLEKILE
Spinners: Eddie LEIE, Aaron PHANGISO
Seamers: Chris MORRIS, Hardus VILJOEN, Kagiso RABADA, Pumelela MATSHIKWE

4-day

1. COOK
2. PETERSEN
3. BAVUMA
4. CONWAY
5. MCKEZNIE
6. PELSER
7. TSOLEKILE
8. MORRIS
9. VILJOEN
10. RABADA
11. LEIE

Vd Dussen comes back to open ahead of Hendricks if Petersen does not play.
Bodi riff-raff now surely.
Pillay more of a longer version bat who needs to work a bit more on bowling.
Pretorius limited overs big hitter with medium pacers.
Symes is limited overs middle order bat
Phangiso limited overs spinner
Matshikwe reserve quick.

In SEMI-PRO's there is middle order big hitter Brian BARNARD plus young middle order bat Yassen VALLI. All-rounder Matt MCGIILIVRAY pushing the others. Spinner Dale DEEB is reserve longer version spinner. Matt ARNOLD (one-day) & Sean JAMISON (4-day) pushing those above.

SCHOOLBOY STARS: Grant ROELOFSEN (18), Ryan RICKELTON (18) & Brandon GLOVER (17)

 

[SeamUp]

TITANS

CSA Contracted: Dean ELGAR, Faf DU PLESSIS, AB DE VILLIERS, Morne MORKEL
Batsmen: Heino KUHN, Henry DAVIDS, (C), Farhaan BEHARDIEN, Graeme VAN BUUREN, Qaasim ADAMS, Cobus PIENAAR, Jacques RUDOLPH
Seamer All-rounder: David WIESE, Albie MORKEL
Keeper: Mangaliso MOSEHLE
Spinners: Shaun VON BERG, Roelof VAN DER MERWE, Tabraiz SHAMSI
Seamers: Marchant DE LANGE, Rowan RICHARDS, Junior DALA, JP DE VILLIERS, Ethy MBHALATI

4-day team

1. ELGAR
2. KUHN
3. DAVIDS
4. A. MORKEL
5. BEHARDIEN
6. WIESE
7. MOSEHLE
8. VON BERG
9. DE LANGE
10. RICHARDS
11. DALA

Rudolph to just play limited overs cricket.
Went with the all-rounders instead of Pienaar and Van Buuren. Although talented think two younger batsmen with more potential not in squad.
Adams reserve to Davids and Behardien.
Van der Merwe just had his best 4-day season but may miss out with quotas. Limited overs definitely.
Shamsi a good chinaman option with leg-spinner Von Berg.
De Villiers is ok reserve quick and Mbhalati on his last legs.

In SEMI-PRO's the 2 young batsmen I was talking about in SA u19 world cup winning captain Aiden MARKRAM and top to middle order bat Theunis DE BRUYN. Coach Rob Walter says they are an exciting part of the Titans so will phase them in. Also left-arm quick Vincent MOORE will push de Lange and de Villiers.

 

[jan]

Have been waiting for this thread, SeamUp

Im reading about Muller now. Really unlucky or quota?
And btw would you know why Cobras ditched their own website for the WP one?

 

[SeamUp]

Have been waiting for this thread, SeamUp

Im reading about Muller now. Really unlucky or quota?
And btw would you know why Cobras ditched their own website for the WP one?

Better late than never Jan.

Cobras have decent depth in seaming department & Shezi was brought in too. But if Paterson and Williams have contracts, Muller should get one too. Had a game or two for Sussex Academy this winter. Mgijima purely quota with new rulings.

Yup, saw that. Cobras is now part of the Western Province website. Cobras rarely updated that website in any case. WP always have news items and release squads so a good thing.

 

[Marius]

Nice post SeamUp.

The Lions have a strong looking squad, I reckon they could be challengers this year.

The fact that teams have to have 2 black Africans in the side is also ridiculous. I'm for transformation, but some of the sides are going to have to import black dudes from other provinces, preventing their own homegrown talent coming through, especially the Cobras I think.

Typical South African mentality, putting the cart before the horse.

 

[Jarquis]

Seamup, how much do you know about the Border set up?

 

[SeamUp]

Nice post SeamUp.

The Lions have a strong looking squad, I reckon they could be challengers this year.

The fact that teams have to have 2 black Africans in the side is also ridiculous. I'm for transformation, but some of the sides are going to have to import black dudes from other provinces, preventing their own homegrown talent coming through, especially the Cobras I think.

Typical South African mentality, putting the cart before the horse.

That bowling attack of the Lions does look lethal. Knights doing their role again by producing cricketers despite their player pool compared to the rest but losing their internationals like Elgar and McLaren won't help them.

Agree, that isn't transformation when players aren't deserving of their spots.

 

[SeamUp]

Seamup, how much do you know about the Border set up?

No problem Marcus.

Based in East London. Along with Eastern Province formed the Warriors.

Their major school Queens, Dale and Selborne have produced some of our finest cricketers like Tony Greig, Daryll Cullinan, Justin Kemp, Ken McEwan, Hylton Ackermann, Makhaya Ntini and Mark Boucher.

But they did lose their players to neighbouring EP or other major provinces eventually.

With the large Black African population in East London and surrounds they've hoped they could produce more black african cricketers for SA especially with Queens and Dale being schools with a black majority now.

 

[Marius]

No problem Marcus.

Based in East London. Along with Eastern Province formed the Warriors.

Their major school Queens, Dale and Selborne have produced some of our finest cricketers like Tony Greig, Daryll Cullinan, Justin Kemp, Ken McEwan, Hylton Ackermann, Makhaya Ntini and Mark Boucher.

But they did lose their players to neighbouring EP or other major provinces eventually.

With the large Black African population in East London and surrounds they've hoped they could produce more black african cricketers for SA especially with Queens and Dale being schools with a black majority now.

The Eastern Cape is the only area where there is a cricket culture among black people too. Of the five black players who have played Tests for SA, all are Xhosa (the Eastern Cape being their traditional homeland).

But in 3 or 4 years time, we could easily have 5 or 6 black guys in the side on merit alone:

Zondo, Bavuma, Mosehle, Shezi, Rabada, Leie etc are all potential Test cricketers. I can't wait for that day, because then we can start moving about all this race-based nonsense and start developing palyers regardless of their colour.

 

[SeamUp]

From a Protea point of view. Thought I would do some planning down the line. This season there are plenty opportunities to be had in both teams plus the 'A' team with the England Lions touring. Good domestic performances could earn a new step in players careers this season.

Test openers: Elgar & Petersen
Next in line: Reeza Hendricks, Heino Kuhn, David White, Stephen Cook
Potential: Gihahn Cloete, Aiden Markram

Middle order: Du Plessis, Amla, de Villiers, Duminy
Next in line: Stiaan Van Zyl, Rilee Rossouw, Temba Bavuma
Potential: Cody Chetty, Khaya Zondo, Mohamed Vallie, Colin Ackermann, Diego Rosier, Theunis de Bruyn, Greg Oldfield, Yaseen Valli

Keeper: de Kock
Next in line: Mangaliso Mosehle, Dane Vilas
Potential: Clyde Fortuin

All-rounders:
Next in line: Parnell, McLaren, David Wiese, Albie Morkel
Potential: Calvin Savage

Spinners: Piedt, Tahir
Next in Line: Simon Harmer, Shaun von Berg, Eddie Leie, Keshav Maharaj
Potential: Tabraiz Shamsi, Prenelan Subrayen

Seamers: Philander, Steyn, M.Morkel
Next in line: Kyle Abbott, Marchant de Lange, Beuran Hendricks, Chris Morris, Hardus Viljoen, Rory Kleinveldt
Potential: Corne Dry, Lizaad Williams, Daryn Dupavillon, Craig Kirsten, Kagiso Rabada

Limited Overs Players: Miller, Phangiso, Tsotsobe

Fringe Limited overs batsman : Farhaan Behardien, Colin Ingram, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Richard Levi, Cameron Delport, Jonathan Vandiar
Fringe Limited Overs spinner: Roelof van der Merwe
Fringe Limited over seamer: Mthokozisi Shezi

 

[SeamUp]

Temba aims to light up eKasi Challenge - SuperSport - Cricket

Temba Bavuma will be one of the star attractions when he takes red hot form into the second edition of the Momentum eKasi Challenge between the bizhub Highveld Lions and The Unlimited Titans at Soweto’s Dobsonville Oval at the Bramfischerville Sports Complex on Friday.

The 24-year-old has just come off an outstanding tour of Australia with the South Africa A side during which his two innings of 162 and 55 played a pivotal role in enabling his team to beat Australia A in the four-day unofficial test series. In the former innings he shared a partnership of 343 with Castle Lager Proteas new cap, Rilee Rossouw, which was the highest by a South African team in Australia.

Bavuma will by no means be the only standout player in action. Dean Elgar, who will make his debut for the Titans, has just come off successful test series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe and will be keen to make a good start to his new franchise career.

The Titans will be fielding five other Proteas in Heino Kuhn, Farhaan Behardien, Albie Morkel, David Wiese and Roelof van der Merwe.

There will be several younger players looking to make their mark. These include Theunis de Bruyn, who led Pretoria University to their World Campus T20 Challenge victory in England recently, and Yaseen Valli who was a member of the Coca-Cola South Africa world champion under-19 squad this year.

The Lions won the inaugural challenge last year and will be out to retain Gauteng bragging rights. The occasion goes beyond the actual match as was outlined by Lions coach, Geoffrey Toyana.

“Soweto is my home, where I learned to play cricket,” he said. “It is an amazing feeling to be able to go back to my roots and have the Lions team play in this match. The boys are raring to go with pre-season preparations going according to plan. We will definitely arrive on the day ready to defend our title in the Momentum eKasi Challenge. I hope that this will promote the team and the game in this area.

“We would love some of the future bizhub Highveld Lions players to come from Dobsonville and Soweto,” he added.

The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport2 from 9.15am (play starts at 9.30am) and the organisers would like to thank SuperSport for coming on board as the broadcast partner.

Both teams will be able to use their full squad of 13 players although only 11 can bat and only 11 can be in the field at any time.

TEAMS

Lions: Matthew Arnold, Temba Bavuma, Gulam Bodi, Devon Conway, Stephen Cook, Sean Jamison, Eddie Leie, Pumelela Matshikwe, Dwaine Pretorius, Rassie van der Dussen, Yaseen Valli, Nicky van den Bergh, Hardus Viljoen

Titans: Farhaan Behardien, Junior Dala, Theunis de Bruyn, Dean Elgar, Heino Kuhn, Eden Links, Ethy Mbhalati, Albie Morkel, Mangaliso Mosehle, Rowan Richards, Tabraiz Shamzi, Roelof van der Merwe, David Wiese

Titans without Davids, Adams, Van Buuren, Pienaar, Rudolph and JP de Villiers as have been playing in West Indies, England & Holland. Surprised von Berg isn't there for the Titans because he was so impressive in 50-over cricket when he played last season. Shaun Pollock loved what he saw in the 50-over semi-final.

For the Lions no McKenzie as only required for the proper stuff at his age. Will be captaining the Lions T20 over side with Cook the other 2 sides this season.
Tsolekile, D. Hendricks, Pillay, Pelser more longer version
Symes and Morris not fully recovered from injuries.

 

[SeamUp]

Morris can get back into SA team - Toyana - SuperSport - Cricket

If Chris Morris has “half a decent season” in 2014/2015 he will get back into the national team, is Geoffrey Toyana’s prediction for his bowling spearhead and allrounder after a long injury lay-off.

Morris underwent an ankle operation and has returned to training in the off-season.

“I’m 95 % to where I should be,” said Morris.

Toyana, coach of the bizhub Highveld Lions, expects Morris to be ready for the Momentum eKasi Challenge on 22nd August in Soweto between the Lions and The Unlimited Titans.

“We had a disappointing 2013-2014-season, and the batsmen of the other franchises basically took us to the cleaners,” said Morris about his own form last season.

“My batting was a big disappointment.

“My bowling dropped to a ‘rat’s pace – from 145 kilometres per hour to 135 km/h – due to the ankle niggles,” said Morris.

When Morris is as the peak of his powers, he is arguably just one of four South African bowlers who can operate at 148 to 150 km/h, with Marchant de Lange, Dale Steyn and Morné Morkel.

Toyana says Morris is his bowling spearhead and a strike bowler.

He takes the new ball and attempts to strike early, yet, last season some bad habits crept in, as Morris tried too hard to strike as regularly as possible, and also conceded some runs in the 50-over game.

“Consistency was also a factor. We are working hard at rectifying those habits,” said Toyana.

The Lions coach is adamant that Morris has the package and the skills-set to represent South Africa with a more than decent average with the bat (31.89 in 35 first-class games and 108 wickets).

His career-best bowling performance of 12 for 101 is an indication of his strike-power.

Morris represented South Africa in five One Day Internationals and two T20-matches.

Toyana believes Morris is still “a baby” at first-class level, but even if he has “half a decent” season, he will get back into the national team.

We need to improve character - Toyana - SuperSport - Cricket

The Lions claimed the unenviable honour of finishing in last place in all three domestic competitions last season, and coach Geoffrey Toyana said his charges need to work on their mental game.

The Lions first play a pre-season game in the eKasi challenge against the Titans in Soweto on August 22, but their campaign will begin in earnest in the domestic four-day series starting in late September.

"We've had some tough conversations because we were poor last season," said Toyana on Wednesday.

"This season hopefully we'll start well, because we're better than how we played last season. The biggest thing we're trying to improve this year is our character.

"It was tough for everyone last season, the biggest thing is team responsibility and unity."

The Lions were plagued by off-field issues in their doomed campaign across all formats last season, most notably with Alviro Petersen stepping down as captain during the T20 competition in January.

While Petersen remains part of the team, Stephen Cook will captain the Lions in both the four-day and One Day Cup competitions, while veteran Neil McKenzie will handle affairs in the T20s.

"We've got some new leaders now, and Stephen Cook has come in as well with his way of thinking which is refreshing," said Toyana.

"It's always going to be tough getting the guys together at this time of year with winter tours. It gives an opportunity to those young players to have a look in."

Toyana said there could be a number of new faces in the starting XI in their pursuit of title contention.

"It will be tough for some of the guys this season because we are starting afresh.

"There's no-one who owns a shirt here. We are starting from scratch and hopefully we'll have a better season this year."

The Lions were able to snap up the services of under-19 World Cup winning player Kagiso Rabada.

The quick bowler played the final two matches for the Lions at the end of last season where he picked up seven wickets at an average of 26.5.

Rabada, 19, despite his inexperience at first class level, was selected for the South Africa 'A' tour to Australia. They will take part in a quadrangular limited overs series against Australia A, India A and the Australian National Performance Squad (NPS), as well as two four-day test matches against Australia A.

Toyana said he had been in contact with SA A coach Vincent Barnes to carefully manage the progress of the young fast bowler.

"Kagiso has been with the CSA (Cricket SA) academy this whole off-season. I've chatted to Vincent Barnes about his workloads, but he's still young."

It would be key to avoid overworking the young player ahead of what could be a lengthy career, said the coach.

"The key thing is to look after that young body because we don't want another Mfuneko Ngam or Monde Zondeki. As he comes through, we'll just see where we're playing and if there's some grass he'll play. If we go to a place somewhere like East London, we'll give him a break on those type of wickets."

 

[SeamUp]

Eager Elgar eyes ODI spot - SuperSport - Cricket

Dean Elgar wants to utilize the Momentum eKasi Challenge match between The Unlimited Titans and the bizhub Highveld Lions in Soweto on Friday and kick-start his campaign in spectacular fashion to force himself into contention for the South African One Day International (ODI) team.

South Africa will play another 19 ODIs before their Cricket World Cup starts on 15th February, so Elgar has precious little time to pursue his passionate goal of representing the Proteas in green at the global showpiece.

“If I want to get back into the ODI-team, I will have to get through the back door. I’m truly disappointed that I am not in the squad,” he said.

“My average in List A-matches might be 38 (37.61 in 106 matches) but it’s not a true reflection of my ability. The past two years it has been much better than 38. And I played against decent opposition for South Africa A.

“Being around the South African team the past two years have also helped me to improve my strike-rate as a one-day player,” he added.

Elgar is an opener by trade but has a second string to his bow as a left-arm spinner.

His stroke-play square of the wicket on both sides and his defiance as a batsman can make him an asset to any team, but he is in unenviable territory as Faf du Plessis has just replaced the legendary Jacques Kallis while the belligerent stroke-player Rilee Rossouw was preferred as a reserve batsman.

Rossouw was at the summit of the South African A-averages in the quadrangular series as he scored 337 runs at an average of 48.14. He also averaged 131 in the SA A-tests against Australia to vindicate his selection for the ODI-series against Zimbabwe.

“Dean Elgar is just ten innings away from being selected for the South African ODI-team. If he performs in six of those innings for The Unlimited Titans, it will be great for us,” said Rob Walter, the Titans coach.

Yet, Elgar knows he doesn’t just need performances, but centuries at the rate of knots in order to convince the national selectors of his ODI-credentials.

“It is quite important to play as much one-day cricket as possible. I was given an option to play in the Momentum eKasi Challenge, but I would much rather fail than not play at all.

“More one-day cricket represents more opportunities to get runs and take wickets,” he adds.

Rossouw confident ahead of domestic season - SuperSport - Cricket

Rilee Rossouw backs his ability to score another thousand runs in a domestic season for the Chevrolet Knights like he did during 2009/2010 when he finished with 1261.

“It is not a question whether I will score another thousand, but when. I back my ability to do it,” he said about his greatest aims for the next season.

Rossouw, arguably the next domestic batsman to be selected for South Africa if the current crop of Young Guns fail consistently, scored 643 runs during the Sunfoil Series for the Chevrolet Knights in the 2013/2014-season, and was selected for the SA A-tour to Australasia. The touring party departs on the 15th July.

He says his philosophy is: “do my best and score as many runs as possible”.

Sarel Cilliers, Rossouw’s coach at the Knights, said Rossouw has matured the past few seasons. “What he needs to do, is to be as consistent as possible, score big centuries and spend substantial time at the crease,” he added.

“He has grown a lot as a cricketer. He is close (to SA selection),” added Cilliers.

Rossouw said he went on one emerging tour Down Under and enjoyed the Australian wickets, as they are very similar to South African creases.

The 24-year old player made his debut for the Free State in 2007 as an eighteen year old.

In the 2009/2010-season he scored 1261 runs. It included 319 off 291 balls against the Titans. The innings was the fastest triple century in South African domestic cricket. He also shared a second wicket partnership of 480 runs with Dean Elgar, the largest South African partnership for any wicket.

Rossouw acknowledged that he has grown as a cricketer. Aided by a new-found maturity, he is able to make better decisions as a batsman.

Thanks to those better options, Rossouw might score more centuries, and those big scores can just put pressure on the South African batsmen in Sri Lanka who will face the spinning duo of Rangana Herath and Ajantha Mendis in the test series.

 

[SeamUp]

White is the ?ideal opener? - SuperSport - Cricket

Almost like the legendary Steve Waugh who decided early during his test career that hooking and pulling are forbidden fruit that he won’t taste, the young David White has from a young age done a SWOT-analysis on his own shortcomings and strengths.

And according to Piet Botha, coach of the Chevrolet Warriors, the 23-year old Warriors opener White is destined to represent South Africa one day, especially because Alviro Petersen is arguably moving closer to the twilight phase of his international career.

White was one of the surprise selections for the South African A-squad that will feature in two ‘tests' in Townsville between August 7 and 17.

White managed 882 runs in the Sunfoil Series during the previous season, including three centuries and five half-centuries. Only Justin Ontong (927 runs) and Stiaan van Zyl (933 runs) smashed more runs in the domestic four-day showpiece.

Botha considers him an ideal opener. “He has a great technique off both the front- and back foot and plays the short deliveries very well, which is a bonus for an opener. Two seasons ago he was part of my plans, but he had to undergo an operation to his groin, which put the plans on hold.

“This season he has blossomed. He can dominate attacks, but he is also disciplined and is a perfectionist.

“From an early age, he has worked out a routine that works for him.”

Davy Jacobs, the Warriors skipper, says three years ago he saw White score 270 during a friendly match while representing the Eastern Province Academy. “I said then he should be in the Warriors squad but I was told he had to go through the ranks.”

Jacobs said the former South African under-19 player has the talent to one day represent South Africa. “Yet, I would like to see him open the innings for a franchise for a couple of years before he is promoted,” he added.

According to Jacobs, White doesn’t favour the off- or the on-side, and is a strong player who can bully attacks when on song.

“In a couple of matches this season, David has held the Warriors innings together,” said Botha.

Albie still dreaming of test cricket - SuperSport - Cricket

“I might be in the twilight of my career, but I’m not a spent force and I have not abandoned my dream to represent South Africa in test cricket again,” said Albie Morkel.

Morkel was a cricket mercenary on the international T20 circuit the past two years, but has decided to focus on domestic cricket in the 2014/2015-season and wants to represent The Unlimited Titans in every Sunfoil Series game if selected.

“I have a very young family (AJ, his son is four years of age and Cara, his daughter, is three). Last year, I spent six months away from home. It is tough on my family life and it is great to take them to the pre-primary school and fetch them again.

“I am nursing elbow and knee injuries, but have started training full time with the Titans this week,” added Morkel.

Effectively Morkel has ruled himself out of playing T20 cricket in England, or in the Caribbean League this year.

Morkel said one of the memories he will treasure for life, was his solitary test for South Africa in 2009.

“It won’t be easy to get back in. I am getting closer to the twilight of my career, but I would like to put my fishing rod in the water.

“If I can score a couple of centuries with a high strike-rate, compile more than six hundred runs and take 30 scalps in a season, anything is possible.

“Ideally I would like to bat at No 6 for the Titans and open the bowling if selected, but I will see how things develop.

“Obviously I still hope to represent South Africa in the Cricket World Cup and in one-day internationals, but I don’t think I have much of a chance,” he added.

Morkel said at the infancy stage of his career, there were some extraordinary allrounders who featured prominently for the Proteas, like Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener.

He, like Zander de Bruyn and Ryan McLaren, were unfortunate to have featured at the same stage as these sensational allrounders.

“But I still want to give it a go,” added Morkel, who averages 44.55 in first-class cricket and has taken 203 wickets as a swing bowler.

 

[Jarquis]

No problem Marcus.

Based in East London. Along with Eastern Province formed the Warriors.

Their major school Queens, Dale and Selborne have produced some of our finest cricketers like Tony Greig, Daryll Cullinan, Justin Kemp, Ken McEwan, Hylton Ackermann, Makhaya Ntini and Mark Boucher.

But they did lose their players to neighbouring EP or other major provinces eventually.

With the large Black African population in East London and surrounds they've hoped they could produce more black african cricketers for SA especially with Queens and Dale being schools with a black majority now.

Cheers mate, just curious as we have two of their side playing in my club's first XI's league this year (one of them is our overseas).

Qaasim Adams is also bossing it over here.