South African Domestic Season 2016/17

[StephenZA]

There is no way Makhanya and Nipper should have did what they did. Think opposition teams are also taking advantage of the slow fielders like Levi & Kleinvedlt and then the absolute potato fingers of Ramela and Mgijima. You can see hear and see Vilas getting pissed off as someone who sets high standards for fitness. It was quite noticeable in the Lions game the other night with the running between the wickets pressurising the Cobras fielders.

Hamza is centrall contracted so even though at UWC is with the Cobras at every practice.

If the Cobras have a few issues with Kolpaks they will have no issue putting in Verreynne who looks a big prospect and carrying the Ginger Flag' SA cricket seems to have lost since Polly, Klusener and Terburgge Verreynne and Galiem been playing together for WP since u11s so it was good to see them get WP over the line as youngsters.

I know what you mean about Malan. He absolutely kills provincial cricket and through the years has got his odd chances with Titans and Cobras but seems to not quite step up so possibly that is against him ? Others like Devon Conway/Shaylen Pillay seem to come to mind at Lions/Gauteng. Because I mean the Cobras played 3 white players last night with Linde 12th man. But not sure why Puttick came in for van Zyl.

Happy to hear Hamza is still practicing with Cobras. Still seem to have problems in their camp though. Some of the decisions being made do not make sense... Malan is only 27, maybe he needs an extended run?

Once again it makes no sense not to have another franchise team... to many good players and potential not getting opportunity.

 

[Dendarii]

the Ginger Flag' SA cricket seems to have lost since Polly, Klusener and Terburgge

And Hayward (although he did go blond at one point). Maybe that's an additional quota that needs to be implemented.

 

[SeamUp]

Happy to hear Hamza is still practicing with Cobras. Still seem to have problems in their camp though. Some of the decisions being made do not make sense... Malan is only 27, maybe he needs an extended run?

Once again it makes no sense not to have another franchise team... to many good players and potential not getting opportunity.

There seems to be one spot available for Jason Smith, Keegan Petersen and Zubayr Hamza and with Smith injured they went to KP and Hamza has been like the 12th,13th man in the last couple of games.

I agree. But I have noticed more and more that the provincial system is being used for younger players so guys like P.Malan at 27/28 still having a franchise chance is becoming more rare at provincial level. So basically they backing the youth system over club cricket with the odd successful clubbie that got through the net getting found later on.

Take the SA Schools team from end of last year. 6/6 split for whites and players of colour.

Matthew Breetzke - playing for EP
Christopher Schreuder - gr12 at Grey Bloem
Raynard van Tonder - playing for FS
Wiaan Mulder - playing for Lions
Ruan de Swardt - At Tuks the main feeder for Northerns/Titans
Michael Cohen - playing for WP


Jesse Christensen - played for WP
Sinethemba Qeshile - Gr12 at Hudson Park
Keenan Smith - Gr12 at Daniel Pienaar but debuting for EP today
Jade de Klerk - Gr12 at Woodridge
Lutho Sipmala - playing for EP
Akhona Mnyaka - Gr 12 at Hudson Park

That illustrates that all the SA Schools players from December 2016 that have left school are all already in the provincial system.

 

[SeamUp]

And Hayward (although he did go blond at one point). Maybe that's an additional quota that needs to be implemented.

Mornantau ! What a beaut he was. They got to represent for equality.

 

[StephenZA]

Maybe a stop gap trying to push quality players of colour through that are not evident in club system? Also CSA probably have better control at school level than at club level?

 

[SeamUp]

Maybe a stop gap trying to push quality players of colour through that are not evident in club system? Also CSA probably have better control at school level than at club level?

I reckon so.

SA cricket always been big believers in talented young players identified early always have a good chance of going on through the system. From pre-isolation to now.

There are so many development/youth tournaments now young players of colour won't be missed from u15 , u17, u19 weeks, Cubs week, Varsity tournaments, Francise u23 tournament for those not contracted etc CSA youth pipeline is their pride and joy.

 

[StephenZA]

I reckon so.

SA cricket always been big believers in talented young players identified early always have a good chance of going on through the system. From pre-isolation to now.

There are so many development/youth tournaments now young players of colour won't be missed from u15 , u17, u19 weeks, Cubs week, Varsity tournaments, Francise u23 tournament for those not contracted etc CSA youth pipeline is their pride and joy.

Looking at guys like QDK and Rabada... possibly the thing that they are getting most right at the moment. Long may it continue.

 

[SeamUp]

A problem I have with the current franchise system. Besides the direct issues of the new Black African ruling and 6 POC. Is it also isn't determining if certain players are good enough and nearly 30. He isn't a bad player but do I see Rassie vd Dussen playing for SA ? No. His franchise career is solid but the weakening of the system keeps him playing possibly because he was always does just enough to stay.

The Home of CricketArchive

Whilst a franchise FC ave of 34 isn't bad, what would it be if the franchise league was left to be the strongest whatever the make-up of the teams ? He has 1 100 in 33 games. That will never be a future Protea player. Whilst the feeder teams Gauteng/North West have a few young blokes like Yaseen Valli (competing for another POC spot) and particularly Ryan Rickelton/Janneman Malan who would be competing for vd Dussen's spot. They are former SA Schools players and SA u19 players who are 20 turning 21 now. What age does the system want our talented young players to get their franchise opportunity ?

Recent examples of de Bruyn and Markram show by 22/23 or so ? Is that good enough for the Proteas ?

 

[SeamUp]

Shamsi back in Titans Blue.

Will be good to see the likes of him, Tahir, Phehlukwayo, Miller, Behardien back for the Momentum Cup.

 

[StephenZA]

I do think that the franchises need to bite the bullet and bring in the youngster earlier. As you say it makes no sense having players avg 35 in the main team. I would rather bring in talented youngsters and see how they perform. Similarly for POC, choosing 32 years olds that will never play for SA helps nobody. Just bring in the talented young POC and play them. It would probably cause a lost generation but it is the unfortunate realities of SA.

As has already been mentioned it is not our domestic seen that is feeding the SA team, it is the youth teams and the SA 'A' team (lots of whom are picked from youth teams now).

 

[SeamUp]

New blood needed at the Cape Cobras | IOL

New blood needed at the Cape Cobras
Domestic Cricket | 9 March 2017
Zaahier Adams
CAPE TOWN – Can the 2016-17 cricket season come to a merciful close for the Cape Cobras already?

After all the dramas at the beginning of the season that dragged on until the end of the year with former head coach Paul Adams, it was hoped the dark cloud would clear when former Proteas batsman Ashwell Prince replaced Adams and spin bowler Dane Piedt was appointed captain across all formats.

Prince, who was renowned for his work ethic and discipline as a player, automatically had the respect of all and immediately got stuck into his task. Along with Piedt’s tactical awareness and charismatic personality, the Cobras seemed to have the perfect “Fire and Ice” combination to turn things around at Newlands.


It certainly seemed that way at the start of 2017, with the Cobras finishing the Sunfoil Series in a strong manner with three victories from five starts to even make a late bid for the title before finishing in a credible third position. Considering the chaos that preceded the pair taking over, it was near miracle and the equivalent of saving the Titanic from sinking.


Throughout this period of success Prince, who is in his first official head coaching job, maintained it was a “honeymoon period” and there was lots of work still ahead. Such levelheadedness stems only from having experienced the highs and lows of the game over the course of a 66-match Test career and knowing that plenty of work still needed to be done with this Cobras team.


Prince’s worst fears came home to roost on a despairing night in Paarl on Wednesday evening. With his team partially rectifying the batting faults from the previous outing at Boland Park, the Cobras set the Dolphins a record total to chase down at the picturesque venue.


And after the spin trio, that included new loan signing Eddie Leie, producing a sterling effort to virtually close out the match, the Cobras fielders and death bowlers let a match slip out of their clutches that should never have been relinquished.


To lose is one thing, but it was more the manner that would have left everyone at Boland Park, especially Prince and skipper Piedt, with a hole in their stomachs.


Straightforward catches were spilled, no balls and wides were sent down aplenty, fielders allowed balls to trickle through their legs for boundaries, and there was simply no intensity in the outfield to stop the Dolphins from turning regulation singles into two’s.


But that was not even the most disturbing aspect. After every over there was a conference out in the middle, with a group of senior players seemingly overruling Piedt’s decisions while in between balls there were plenty of arms waving from too many people, often causing confusion among the fielders in where they should actually be placed.


Piedt is a young captain and no doubt values the input of his senior lieutenants, but requires more support than having his judgement questioned every delivery.


The Cobras still have four matches left in the Momentum One-Day Cup. There is still a slim chance of progressing to the playoffs, but that should not be the goal right now.


Instead, the focus should change towards bringing through younger players that will form the core of the future here in the Cape. With Richard Levi, Stiaan van Zyl and Dane Vilas all on Kolpak contracts in the English County Championship and Omphile Ramela possibly also seeking greener pastures on the Highveld next season, a changing of the guard is on the cards at Newlands.


Youngsters such as Jason Smith (currently injured), Zubayr Hamza, wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne, Cebo Tshiki and Dayaan Galiem need to be blooded sooner rather than later to ensure a fresh culture is born here in the Cape.


The Cobras are a proud franchise. Titles and trophies have been won by the bucket-load since 2009 while it is also been a production house for future Proteas.


Many of those players responsible for Wednesday evening’s debacle were once core contributors to the previous success attained. But if the heart and desire is no longer there to represent the Cobras, there needs to be consequences.

 

[SeamUp]

I do think that the franchises need to bite the bullet and bring in the youngster earlier. As you say it makes no sense having players avg 35 in the main team. I would rather bring in talented youngsters and see how they perform. Similarly for POC, choosing 32 years olds that will never play for SA helps nobody. Just bring in the talented young POC and play them. It would probably cause a lost generation but it is the unfortunate realities of SA.

As has already been mentioned it is not our domestic seen that is feeding the SA team, it is the youth teams and the SA 'A' team (lots of whom are picked from youth teams now).

That is the tough part as it is also a job and players need to put food on the table. If there were more franchises then players like solid in-betweeners could be kept around more. I suppose then people will say there is no guarantees the younger players will cut it but he surely needs opportunities. But 5 spots is very limited especially if you producing lots of young white players.

Boucher has done well in that respect. For whateve reason SA 'A' player Qaasim Adams was kicked into touch (something happened when he went on loan to Warriors in T20 Comp and hasn't been see again for Titans) and instead he is got through rookie Rivaldo Moonsamy (another former SA u19 player) and he looks like a future finisher for the Proteas down the line.

 

[StephenZA]

That is the tough part as it is also a job and players need to put food on the table. If there were more franchises then players like solid in-betweeners could be kept around more. I suppose then people will say there is no guarantees the younger players will cut it but he surely needs opportunities. But 5 spots is very limited especially if you producing lots of young white players.

Boucher has done well in that respect. For whateve reason SA 'A' player Qaasim Adams was kicked into touch (something happened when he went on loan to Warriors in T20 Comp and hasn't been see again for Titans) and instead he is got through rookie Rivaldo Moonsamy (another former SA u19 player) and he looks like a future finisher for the Proteas down the line.

That true for many people in many careers... SA is just a tough place at the moment. Not nice but needs must... Thats why I don`t mind the kolpak players, it is perfectly understandable if disappointing.

...Moonsamy looks pretty good.

 

[SeamUp]

Pretty chuffed for Ryan Rickelton. It is only provincial cricket but he is 20 and it is a game at the bullring and batting that long is hours of concentration something you don't do a lot of before that sort of age. Aiden Markram coming through as an opener but will need competition. GTG 370 (94.2 ov, M Ramothata 4*, Z Paruk 4/55) - Innings break | Live Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[StephenZA]

Pretty chuffed for Ryan Rickelton. It is only provincial cricket but he is 20 and it is a game at the bullring and batting that long is hours of concentration something you don't do a lot of before that sort of age. Aiden Markram coming through as an opener but will need competition. GTG 370 (94.2 ov, M Ramothata 4*, Z Paruk 4/55) - Innings break | Live Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

I always feel sorry when the guys don`t get to the 200 mark... so difficult to do and to come so close....

 

[SeamUp]

With us losing a next chunk of our players from the 26-31 sort of age range in van Zyl, Levi, Vilas, Ingram, Ackermann, Rossouw, Abbott, de Lange, Viljoen, Wiese what is the next group looking like at this moment. Just for batsman & keeper-batsman, seamer all-rounders and quicks.


25 years of age
Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, Gihahn Cloete
Duanne Olivier, Rabian Engelbrecht

24 years of age
Keegan Petersen, Edward Moore
Lizaad Williams, Calvin Savage, Anrich Nortje, Corne Dry

23 years of age
Aiden Markram, Jason Smith, Senuran Muthusamy, Diego Rosier
Daryn Dupavillon

22 years of age
Yaseen Valli, Leus du Plooy, Zubayr Hamza
Kagiso Rabada, Migael Pretorius

21 years of age
Janneman Malan, Ryan Rickelton, Marques Ackerman, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Sibonelo Makhanya
Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lwandiswa Zuma

20 years of age
Tony de Zorzi, Kyle Verreynne
Dayyaan Galiem

19 years of age
Matthew Breetzke, Raynard van Tonder, Mitchell van Buuren
Wiaan Mulder, Ruan de Swardt
Lutho Sipamla, Michael Cohen


For young white players
* It seems by like the 23 years of age group you should be sealing your franchise position.
** At 22 you've been getting your franchise chances.
*** At 21 you pushing for franchise selection

**** It also shows there are young black Africans coming through.

 

[StephenZA]

We have definitely got talent coming through...
The ones I like the look of the most (that you have not highlighted) are Savage, Markram, Smith, Hamza, Moonsamy (>20).

Hopefully the 20 and 19 year old step up as well.

 

[SeamUp]

Couldn't agree more.

It's tough to break them down. But the good aspect is that in the 20,21,22 they dominating provincial much better than guys like Cloete/Rosier who big things were expected from. Petersen at 24 just hasn't played enough franchise cricket and whilst Moore had a decent 4-day season he needs to score hundreds before taken seriously.

From 20 up I would say the following have potential to go on from the batsman.

Openers : Markram , Rickelton, Valli (longer version)
Class #3/4 batsman : du Plooy, Hamza, de Zorzi
#5/6 x-factor : Smith, Ackerman, Moonsamy
keeper : Verreynne

* Got to remember they picked Markram, du Plooy , Smith and Ackerman for the Sri Lanka Tour game.

 

[SeamUp]

I suppose we also have to look at the perspective of who in 26+ bracket who may get 'A' call-ups and with the Kolpaks leaving may create better opportunities for them.

Batsmen : Kuhn, R.Hendricks, van Jaarsveld, Zondo, Smuts, Vandiar
Keepers : Klaasen, Second, Mosehle
Seamers : Paterson, B.Hendricks

 

[SeamUp]

Momentum cup with a few rounds to go. Started getting the Proteas back in the last couple of rounds and AB should join in for Titans next game.

DOLPHINS 7 (19)
WARRIORS 7 (17)
TITANS 6 (14)
KNIGHTS 6 (14)
LIONS 6 (13)
COBRAS 8 (12)

Leading run-scorers

COBRAS : Levi 412 , Vilas 303
WARRIORS : JJ Smuts 321 , Cloete 273, Ingram 233
DOLPHINS : M. van Wyk 341 , VVJ 309, Zondo 295
KNIGHTS : Second 221
LIONS : R.Hendricks 350
TITANS : Davids 397 , A.Morkel 305 , Vandiar 223

Leading wicket-takers

COBRAS : Williams 10 , R.Kleinveldt 8
WARRIORS : Gqamane 9 , Ingram 8
DOLPHINS : Frylinck 11
KNIGHTS : van Schalkwyk 10, de Lange 8
LIONS : B.Hendricks 10 , B.Fortuin 9
TITANS : von Berg 11