South Africa team selection

[SeamUp]

Definitely. I'm more pissed off he misses out on a whole season of 4-day cricket possibly.

 

[StephenZA]

sport24_/proteas-search-for-their-seven-intensifies
Nice little summation of the RSA allrounder problems for what the last 4 years? Would also throw in the no 6 spot. I have wondered about playing Behardien at 7 though (yes desperate thoughts!) between him and Duminy (possibly Markram) we could get 10 overs right?

I do agree and think SA should play our 4 best bowlers... (and the unlikely but possible return if ABdV!) give us our best chance.

 

[Prince EWS]

Behardien's batting isn't good enough to justify that sort of fudging of the fifth bowler just to get him in at seven IMO.

Deep down I still kind of think Pretorius is the best fit for the spot (not that I think he's a better player than Morris, but I think the spot demands a batting-focused player than Morris), but between him doing almost nothing with the bat in the chances he got internationally, his dire A-team performances lately and possible quota issues it's definitely not going to happen.

 

[Prince EWS]

Behardien's batting isn't good enough to justify that sort of fudging of the fifth bowler just to get him in at seven IMO.

Deep down I still kind of think Pretorius is the best fit for the spot (not that I think he's a better player than Morris, but I think the spot demands a batting-focused player than Morris), but between him doing almost nothing with the bat in the chances he got internationally, his dire A-team performances lately and possible quota issues it's definitely not going to happen.

Oh apparently he's just been selected; interesting development. Big shot for him.

 

[StephenZA]

Oh apparently he's just been selected; interesting development. Big shot for him.

Part of the squad to replace injured Duminy.....

Behardien has both for SA, at times, and franchise team done such a good job at finishing the innings, he looks like such a hack but seem to get the job done. Agree on Pretorius being a possible better substitution as a batting allrounder, but he seems to need the new ball to be capable with the bowling and he is not gonna get that in that bowling line-up.

 

[Prince EWS]

The fact that Behardien averages 20 away from home, 18 when chasing and just 14 when doing both of these at once over a pretty long career should kind of rule him out IMO. He's finished off some good platforms when setting a score at home, but I don't really think that's worth enough by itself given his deficiencies in any other situation and the he's more in the "batsman who can bowl some dobbers" category than the "batting allrounder" one. If he bowled like Pretorius or Mulder then he'd just about qualify as a "desperate times.." selection, but given it's an actual allrounder you're looking for rather than a jammy specialist bat who can bowl three or four overs if he has to, I wouldn't consider him unless his batting had much more of an upside than it really does.

I know Pretorius's ODI batting stats aren't exactly awesome either but he's played much fewer games and is a much better bowler. Hopefully he takes his chance in the Australia ODI series.

 

[StephenZA]

Don't get me wrong Behardien, going to WC would not be good thing for SA to see.... I`m hoping Morris steps up his batting game, but his erraticness with ball concerns me, Pretorius seem the best bet on paper and by eye but just has not done enough when given the opportunity at the international level. Seems to be one of those players. Andile has the ability to bowl death overs imo, and strike the ball; but just not a number 7.

But the SA number 6/7 problem seems to be going on for sometime now. We had no quality batting allrounders, followed by a lot of potential none of which have made their mark yet. Strangely enough I think part of the problem is the quality of our bowling; you have to be such a good bowler to get past our top 4 that to be a decent batsmen as well needs something quite significantly good. Pollock and Klusener are the only 2 that could push our current bowling line-up for a position.

 

[SeamUp]

I fancy Morris to score more runs than Dwaine Pretorius.

The fact they've picked D.Pretorius after some woeful performances last season (where he was dropped) and this for the Lions plus his A tour where he couldn't even pick up a wicket is massively confusing. But it is probably the state of the desperation that him and Behardien have been re-called.

 

[Dendarii]

The fact they've picked D.Pretorius after some woeful performances last season (where he was dropped) and this for the Lions plus his A tour where he couldn't even pick up a wicket is massively confusing. But it is probably the state of the desperation that him and Behardien have been re-called.

I think it's down to a lack of too many other options for allrounders. Mulder's injured and Philander hasn't played an ODI in over three years, which really leaves Pretorius or Frylinck (who I do think was worth considering, but the selectors clearly don't agree).

 

[SeamUp]

I think it's down to a lack of too many other options for allrounders. Mulder's injured and Philander hasn't played an ODI in over three years, which really leaves Pretorius or Frylinck (who I do think was worth considering, but the selectors clearly don't agree).

In the press release they did say they were looking for batting all-rounders.

Just a pity guys like Jason Smith/Calvin Savage haven't fully dominated over a longer period yet. Both clear the ropes and have more variation to their bowling than Pretorius. So more suited to limited overs cricket in the 6/7 position than say Mulder who no doubt is a future test player.

I'm the same with you on Frylinck. It seems Morris/Phehlukwayo is his competition. The news from Otis and Faf is the door is near closed. They probably debating 2/3 positions at most.

 

[StephenZA]

Wait ... what ?

https://www.crictracker.com/reports...nternational-retirement-in-january-next-year/

Click bait? Or else CSA/Gibson trying to convince him to come back for the WC?

sport24_ab-it-would-be-selfish-and-arrogant-to-make-proteas-return

Yep Click bait.

 

[SeamUp]

Not sure if you guys heard Smith talk about QdK on comms. Thought he was spot on.

If Smith captained him more I think he would have challenged QdK more. For his ability now he needs to win games more consistently. No longer just a talent.

 

[SeamUp]

We know what Faf will be going into after cricket....

 

[StephenZA]

Not sure if you guys heard Smith talk about QdK on comms. Thought he was spot on.

If Smith captained him more I think he would have challenged QdK more. For his ability now he needs to win games more consistently. No longer just a talent.

Agreed with Smith. QDK is showing the classic signs of talent but inability to curb his game when needed. I understand he has a job to do at the top of the order, but how he got out yesterday was classic him. Hits a great boundary and then rather than rotate strike he goes for another big one. He has played enough now that he needs to have learnt how to pace and innings and recognise position in the. He is not showing that temperament. When he was at his best early in his career, he was showing great temperament I would love for him to spend some time with Kirsten/Jennings. Think they may help sort his head out. I hope the coaching staff have not tried to get #intent into his game.

Edit: how many great batsmen when not scoring runs have cut out a big run producing shot for awhile that was getting them out, those balls QDK keeps trying to cut so close to his body... not helping him at all.

 

[SeamUp]

I do think we appreciate his play has a higher risk and we could say he balances the team but he is definitely good enough to assess situations better in the manner he gets out.

Say for example he gets out in frustrating manner 6 times in 10 innings I can live with him trying to halve that and still maintain the x-factor, risk-taking #intent.

 

[SeamUp]

Fair to say these 12 are our locks for the WC ?

Amla
QdK
Faf
JP
Miller
Klaasen

Phehlukwayo

Tahir
Shamsi

Rabada
Steyn
Ngidi


Then highly likey that R.Hendricks/Markram are playing for 1 position or maybe they could say stuff batting all-rounder position (Mulder, D.Pretorius) and go with both. I think Morris is the other player and close to a lock.

 

[StephenZA]

I think Morris is probably going; and I wonder about a shoot out between Klaasens and Miller. Probably take both but think they are interested in putting Markram at 3, even though his ODI's have not been great. I don't think they will take Mulder or Pretorius unless they show something great between now and end of year.

 

[Pup Clarke]

Agree with that mostly SeamUp, although are there maybe question marks about Shamsi? Tahir is overwhelmingly the number 1 spinner and it is in English conditions. But having him in the squad will probably be useful in all honestly.

Think Hendricks and Markram will both go along with Morris

Zondo/Behardien the bolters for a batting slot d'ya reckon?

Likewise Frylinck/Dala for a bowling spot?

Any other candidates in the domestic scene who could make a big impression in the next 6 months?

 

[Dendarii]

Shamsi will be there as the backup spinner - I doubt he'll play much during the tournament (if at all), but at the moment he seems to be preferred over Maharaj. Zondo hasn't done enough to justify a spot at World Cup, and Behardien will presumably make way for Duminy. So I think the only real question is whether they pick both Markram and Hendrick or only one of them and go for the extra allrounder. I don't think they'll go for a specialist bowler like Dala as if someone has to come in for Steyn, Rabada, or Ngidi then ideally you'd want them to be able to bat in order to offset them not being as good a bowler.

 

[Stefan9]

Fair to say these 12 are our locks for the WC ?

Amla
QdK
Faf
JP
Miller
Klaasen

Phehlukwayo

Tahir
Shamsi

Rabada
Steyn
Ngidi


Then highly likey that R.Hendricks/Markram are playing for 1 position or maybe they could say stuff batting all-rounder position (Mulder, D.Pretorius) and go with both. I think Morris is the other player and close to a lock.

I think both Markram and Reeza goes and one spot goes to mulder/morris or pretorius. Personally I rather take mulder but we will see. Don't think we need 3 bowling all rounders, two is more then sufficient.