***Official*** South Africa in New Zealand 2017

[SeamUp]

Cricketing gods unfortunately not on the BlackCaps side. As a Protea fan I'm conflicted. This could be viewed as a wake-up call without losing (the best outcome) or would a loss have been better.

 

[Marius]

Cricketing gods unfortunately not on the BlackCaps side. As a Protea fan I'm conflicted. This could be viewed as a wake-up call without losing (the best outcome) or would a loss have been better.

Nah, I'm happy with that.



But seriously, JP and Bra T have to be on notice. Bavuma played some good knocks, but he had a terrible series against SL, and the way he went out in this Test match was pathetic, especially considering we were trying to save the match.

I know there are other issues, but perhaps this should be the team for the first Test vs England:

Elgar
Cook
Amla
Faf
De Bruyn
Zondo
QDK
Vern
Maharaj
Rabada
Morkel (or Steyn if he is fit)

Only issue is, we're one short on the quota.

But I think we're doing well on the overall quota so maybe we could get away with this.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Yeah, I hadn't made that clear, by 3rd seamer I mean 3rd choice behind Boult & Waggers, but of course sharing the new ball with Boult, with Wags bowling in his specialist 1st change role.

BTW, I don't think Softhee was terrible this summer, he actually bowled fairly well, but let's be honest CDG had a better average in the games they played together IIRC on the back of games against a pretty woeful Pakistan and Bangers.

southee wasn't terrible, but we know he can be better than not terrible when someone gives him a bit of motivation. Having henry genuinely threatening his spot should ignite his hunger.

 

[SeamUp]

Nah, I'm happy with that.



But seriously, JP and Bra T have to be on notice. Bavuma played some good knocks, but he had a terrible series against SL, and the way he went out in this Test match was pathetic, especially considering we were trying to save the match.

I know there are other issues, but perhaps this should be the team for the first Test vs England:

Elgar
Cook
Amla
Faf
De Bruyn
Zondo
QDK
Vern
Maharaj
Rabada
Morkel (or Steyn if he is fit)

Only issue is, we're one short on the quota.

But I think we're doing well on the overall quota so maybe we could get away with this.

I give up on trying to balance teams anymore because of quota. It is just to difficult. Human emotions on being left out for not cricketing reasons could happen if everyone is fit.

I suppose early season County form will be important for a guy like Cook. There is also the 'A' tour that I imagine Markram, Bavuma Zondo will be involved in.

But not sure when they will announce the squad. It could even be before the A tour which runs during the Champions Trophy.

 

[hendrix]

SA fans: Are there any plans for De Kock to move up the order? I think he'd probably have to drop the gloves but at this point (depending on the domestic options available) I think that's worth it. He should be batting 3-4 now IMO.

 

[91Jmay]

If anyone other than Scaly had made that point it wouldn't have been panned as hard tbh. I'm not saying I agree with him, but NZ morning session wasn't exactly taking game by scruff of neck. Obviously had no real impact on the outcome though.

 

[Marius]

SA fans: Are there any plans for De Kock to move up the order? I think he'd probably have to drop the gloves but at this point (depending on the domestic options available) I think that's worth it. He should be batting 3-4 now IMO.

I like him at 7. That's part of the reason Australia was so great at one point, with Gilchrist coming in at seven.

QDK's keeping is pretty good as well, I'm not sure there is really anyone challenging him.

That said, Rudi Second and Heinrich Klaasen would do nicely at 7 in the Test side. Mosehle is a decent keeper but he averages under 20 in franchise stuff. Although perhaps there is too much emphasis on batting for keepers these days, but an average of barely 20 isn't good enough.

 

[Neil Young]

Bummer for us today. Well played SA overall. What a player De Kock is. And obviously the Kanebot.

 

[NZTailender]

Combined XI

1. D Elgar
2. J Raval
3. K Williamson
4. F du Plessis
5. H Nicholls
6. T Bavuma
7. Q de Kock+
8. C de Grandhomme
9. N Wagner
10. M Morkel
11. KA Maharaj

4 easy batting picks. Nicholls hundred was actually decent in terms of the match situation so that gets him in. Bavuma edges out everyone else who were uninspiring, though Watling may feel aggrieved having had to bat with bowlers so much. 3 bowlers were stand out, with the rest with middling returns or injured, so CdG gets the nod for memery.

 

[Heboric]

Hard like New Zealand palyed very well

Well done Proteas, your impressive away record continues (barring India tour - lol)

The rain helped the Proteas in more than just the series result:

Rain helps Proteas secure R6.5m cash boost | Sport24

 

[Dendarii]

I know there are other issues, but perhaps this should be the team for the first Test vs England:

Elgar
Cook
Amla
Faf
De Bruyn
Zondo
QDK
Vern
Maharaj
Rabada
Morkel (or Steyn if he is fit)

Only issue is, we're one short on the quota.

But I think we're doing well on the overall quota so maybe we could get away with this.

I've been trying to keep a record, and if I've worked it out correctly, we're four non-white players ahead of the quota. So that means we could have four matches with six white players before we fall behind.

 

[Marius]

I've been trying to keep a record, and if I've worked it out correctly, we're four non-white players ahead of the quota. So that means we could have four matches with six white players before we fall behind.

I kept a record up till the end of the SL series, but then I was away on holiday so didn't manage to keep up with the NZ series. If I get time this afternoon I'll do an update.

I know we need transformation and POCs need to be assisted, but this racial bean counting really leaves a horrible taste in my mouth.

 

[kykweer.proteas]

Well done proteas and new zealand. In recent years as nuts as it sounds i still feel we could have saved the match... though it would have been monumental.

 

[CapeTown Guy]

Hard luck New Zealand, probably deserved more from this game. Although it was nice for the rain to work in our favour for once. However, in hindsight, Kane and co should probably have played more proactively on day 4 in particular.

I guess, ultimately the difference between the two sides is SA just have that bit more resiliency about them, largely due to De Kock.

We have massive issues with our batting line-up - too many passengers. Of our top 7, only Elgar, Faf and QdK are performing at an acceptable level, with JP and Cook in particular on a a short leash.

I reckon Cook will get another series or 2, with Markram replacing him for good by next year this time, assuming he continues to progress.

Zondo in for JP/Bavuma might be an option but I feel he needs at least another season of FC cricket to show he really does deserve a shot - 1 good season in a decade isn't enough for a Test call-up imo.

Once again the most noteworthy contribution JP had this series was with the ball, which makes it difficult to drop him for a pure, specialist batsman, Markram could be that 5th bowler, hypothetically.

For Amla, a drop down to 4/5 might be just the tonic, but it might not. Not sure what the plan is with him tbf.

I wouldnt mind a team like this, for instance:

Elgar, Markram, De Bruyn, Du Plessis, Amla, Bavuma/Zondo, QdK, Maharaj + 3 seamers.

I'm not sure Rabada/Philander/Morkel quite has the right balance, but that's a minor issue - there are several other combinations we could try.

 

[Marius]

Hard luck New Zealand, probably deserved more from this game. Although it was nice for the rain to work in our favour for once. However, in hindsight, Kane and co should probably have played more proactively on day 4 in particular.

I guess, ultimately the difference between the two sides is SA just have that bit more resiliency about them, largely due to De Kock.

We have massive issues with our batting line-up - too many passengers. Of our top 7, only Elgar, Faf and QdK are performing at an acceptable level, with JP and Cook in particular on a a short leash.

I reckon Cook will get another series or 2, with Markram replacing him for good by next year this time, assuming he continues to progress.

Zondo in for JP/Bavuma might be an option but I feel he needs at least another season of FC cricket to show he really does deserve a shot - 1 good season in a decade isn't enough for a Test call-up imo.

Once again the most noteworthy contribution JP had this series was with the ball, which makes it difficult to drop him for a pure, specialist batsman, Markram could be that 5th bowler, hypothetically.

For Amla, a drop down to 4/5 might be just the tonic, but it might not. Not sure what the plan is with him tbf.

I wouldnt mind a team like this, for instance:

Elgar, Markram, De Bruyn, Du Plessis, Amla, Bavuma/Zondo, QdK, Maharaj + 3 seamers.

I'm not sure Rabada/Philander/Morkel quite has the right balance, but that's a minor issue - there are several other combinations we could try.

Looking at Markram's stats, I'm not sure he could fulfil the JP role. Doesn't have amazing stats, but he's still young.

Doesn't De Bruyn bowl a bit too?

 

[CapeTown Guy]

Markram's done reasonably well with the ball in the domestic stuff over the last few weeks - open the bowling for the Titans a coupla a times. I'm basing my opinion purely on that

 

[Marius]

I've been trying to keep a record, and if I've worked it out correctly, we're four non-white players ahead of the quota. So that means we could have four matches with six white players before we fall behind.

Good but old article on transformation madness.

The 'Thando Bula incident' - SuperSport - Cricket

 

[StephenZA]

Good but old article on transformation madness.

The 'Thando Bula incident' - SuperSport - Cricket

This also shows the incompetence of the president though (and maybe of the coach) ... yes hard transformations are stupid, but not knowing what is fully expected of you and having no plan if an accident happened was also silly. I am pretty sure if one of the 12/13th men had played there would not have been an issue, so it was to a certain extent of their own making.

 

[SeamUp]

Markram's done reasonably well with the ball in the domestic stuff over the last few weeks - open the bowling for the Titans a coupla a times. I'm basing my opinion purely on that

Seems like Elgar is taking his bowling less and less seriously almost like Biff did.

But I have liked a bit of Markram's off-spin. Nothing great but accurate and gets bounce from his height ala Biff back in the day.

 

[StephenZA]

Seems like Elgar is taking his bowling less and less seriously almost like Biff did.

But I have liked a bit of Markram's off-spin. Nothing great but accurate and gets bounce from his height ala Biff back in the day.

I don`t think Elgar wants the responsibility.... Markram`s off-spin looked not to bad, but not sure its international quality (at least yet).

But seriously is this a concern? Duminy is meant to be a top 6 batsmen, not an allrouder, it just gave us a few options but overall he has been poor. If we want an allrounder then QDK bats at 6 and we bring in Parnell/Morris at 7.... don`t like that idea, but they would contribute just as much with the bat as Duminy.

Test last 12 months
Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo
Tests for this year so far..
Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo
NZ series..
Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

Purely statistically Cook has regressed since his 100 at the beginning and in all honestly should be the first out the door. Duminy and Bavuma next. Bavuma however has showed some decent mental attitude and Duminy has been given enough opportunities. And Amla a big worry.

I think the county stints and the SA `A` team tour may make the decisions for the selectors. Think Markram, deBruyn, Zonda, Duminy and Bavuma should be selected for SA`A` side.