Pakistan Tour of South Africa 2018/19

[Black_Warrior]

With Philander and Ngidi out for the 1st Test, Markram surprises all including himself with a match winning 10 wicket haul in the 1st Test, having never bowled before

 

[Gnske]

I don't mean to speak ill of Bavuma, but I really hope SA decide to go with de Bruyn and Hamza in unison, at least at some point.

Have a look at that future in the post-Faf and Amla era in tests that is soon approaching.

 

[Dendarii]

With Philander and Ngidi out for the 1st Test, Markram surprises all including himself with a match winning 10 wicket haul in the 1st Test, having never bowled before

He has bowled before in tests, although without success.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

If my memory serves me correctly, Mark Boucher took the wicket of Dwayne Bravo in the only over he ever bowled in Test cricket. Was at the old Antigua Recreation Ground, almost always a real flat deck there

 

[Dendarii]

If my memory serves me correctly, Mark Boucher took the wicket of Dwayne Bravo in the only over he ever bowled in Test cricket. Was at the old Antigua Recreation Ground, almost always a real flat deck there

It was this match: 4th Test, South Africa tour of West Indies at St John's, Apr 29 - May 3 2005 | Match Summary | ESPNCricinfo, which was the only time Boucher has ever bowled. The whole South African team ended up having a go with the ball.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

It was this match: 4th Test, South Africa tour of West Indies at St John's, Apr 29 - May 3 2005 | Match Summary | ESPNCricinfo, which was the only time Boucher has ever bowled. The whole South African team ended up having a go with the ball.

Yeah that's exactly the one. Turns out I was slightly wrong, it was an over and two balls, but still interesting.

Dwight Washington, now there's a name I haven't heard in a loooooooooong time

 

[Prince EWS]

Dwight Washington, now there's a name I haven't heard in a loooooooooong time

Yeah that was my first thought when I saw that scorecard too. I never even read anything about him retiring or getting dropped domestically or anything, he just seemed to disappear randomly. He's still only 35 but played his last domestic game 13 years ago -- the same year he made his Test debut, and finished up with a First Class bowling average of ~20. I wonder if Beamer knows anything about what happened there.

Brutal game to play your only Test in as a fast bowler too.

 

[Dendarii]

A quick Google threw out a couple of links about Washington playing club cricket, but no mention as to why his top-flight career lasted less than two years. A serious injury is the only thing I can think of that makes sense.

https://globalcricketcommunity.com/index.php/profiles/international-profiles/213-jamaica-dwight-marlon-washington-west-indies-national-cricket-player
Washington is St James' trump card | Sports | Jamaica Gleaner

 

[SeamUp]

Wavell Hinds and Narsingh Deonarine proper blasts from the past.

Biff bowling 43 overs in Windies first innings and more than Boj too.

I think Boucher still reminds everybody that he has the best bowling average for SA in test cricket.

 

[GRAB]

Last 6 test innings... Obviously nothing since what July? If de Kock has another bad series, will Klaasen / Second / vd Bergh / Verreyne come into the picture or is his (generally considered to be superior?) keeping enough to keep him in? Or does his "natural flair" make him undroppable? That said the Mzansi Super League suggests he's in a better space mentally than July.

Amla 27 16 15 0 19 6
Bavuma 95* 35* 17 2 11 63
De bruyn 6 36 1 15* 3 101
De kock 39 4 3 10 32 8
Du plessis 0 120 49 1 48 7
Elgar 19 81 8 4 0 37
Markram 152 37 0 19 7 14

 

[SeamUp]

Last 6 test innings... Obviously nothing since what July? If de Kock has another bad series, will Klaasen / Second / vd Bergh / Verreyne come into the picture or is his (generally considered to be superior?) keeping enough to keep him in? Or does his "natural flair" make him undroppable? That said the Mzansi Super League suggests he's in a better space mentally than July.

Amla 27 16 15 0 19 6
Bavuma 95* 35* 17 2 11 63
De bruyn 6 36 1 15* 3 101
De kock 39 4 3 10 32 8
Du plessis 0 120 49 1 48 7
Elgar 19 81 8 4 0 37
Markram 152 37 0 19 7 14

Definitely answered your own question there. I definitely think QdK needs to be managed well. I am not in agreement with coaches saying let him be free. I think he does need to be challenged. Not just down to the coach but the captain as well.

 

[GRAB]

It's just concerning he may go the way of Boucher as a batsman. Second season hit 3 test 100's and was looking like an amazing strokemaker who would easily slot into our top 6 without the keeping gloves... Only hit 2 more 100s in 13 years, but was only ever dropped once because his keeping was so indispensable.

 

[SeamUp]

It's just concerning he may go the way of Boucher as a batsman. Second season hit 3 test 100's and was looking like an amazing strokemaker who would easily slot into our top 6 without the keeping gloves... Only hit 2 more 100s in 13 years, but was only ever dropped once because his keeping was so indispensable.

I'm not that concerned but I definitely do want him to reach peak levels because if he does our cricket team goes to another level.

I wanted him to go to the MSL and 'be free' which is a very ambiguous term that I don't like a lot but I think he needed to remember what he is capable of when he is thinking positive and aggressive. And then scoring runs doing it.

I think he has got into his shell and wasn't being as positive (which can happen at international level) and when he does that he isn't that awesome player he can be. So whilst he does take risks I think he is good enough to take risks and come off more times than not which he probably hasn't been doing of late. Our batting line-up in recent times doesn't exactly do his type massive favours.

He definitely needs a big test innings early this summer because then I think he will be away again if so.

 

[StephenZA]

I think he has got into his shell and wasn't being as positive (which can happen at international level) and when he does that he isn't that awesome player he can be. So whilst he does take risks I think he is good enough to take risks and come off more times than not which he probably hasn't been doing of late. Our batting line-up in recent times doesn't exactly do his type massive favours

I don't agree with this; number of times he came out flashing in the test series; and even in the LO's stuff. I felt he was in bad form, not timing the ball and making bad selection with his shots. In response people told him to play natural and he tried to hit his way out which lost him further confidence. Depends on players, but if you out of form recognise that and play well within your ability, stay at the crease, nothing gets you back in form more than time in the middle.

His best innings during the Msanzi, early on, he did not play backward of point until after he had his 100; everything was in front of point and straight. I hope that was deliberate, him dropping the late cut shot for almost an entire innings is a recognition of form and it was best just to play percentages. Great players, who have all the shots, know when to stop playing certain shots until they find form again.

I just hope he scores lots during these series and even more at the WC.

 

[SeamUp]

I don't agree with this; number of times he came out flashing in the test series; and even in the LO's stuff. I felt he was in bad form, not timing the ball and making bad selection with his shots. In response people told him to play natural and he tried to hit his way out which lost him further confidence. Depends on players, but if you out of form recognise that and play well within your ability, stay at the crease, nothing gets you back in form more than time in the middle.

His best innings during the Msanzi, early on, he did not play backward of point until after he had his 100; everything was in front of point and straight. I hope that was deliberate, him dropping the late cut shot for almost an entire innings is a recognition of form and it was best just to play percentages. Great players, who have all the shots, know when to stop playing certain shots until they find form again.

I just hope he scores lots during these series and even more at the WC.

I think you think I am saying he must positive and aggressive all the time and maybe reckless ? The answer is no.

I think he is a better player when he is not thinking about getting out and when he is looking to score. Whether that is a 1 or a 2 and boundaries. What ever the stroke commit to it fully. Like for example his innings in Durban v Australia is peak de Kock.

Scorecard - 2017-2018 South Africa v Australia - 01/03/2018

Newlands next test help put the foot on the throat with the speed in which he scores.

Scorecard - 2017-2018 South Africa v Australia - 22/03/2018

Two different knocks in speed but being positive is always when he is at his best.

 

[Bolo]

It's just concerning he may go the way of Boucher as a batsman. Second season hit 3 test 100's and was looking like an amazing strokemaker who would easily slot into our top 6 without the keeping gloves... Only hit 2 more 100s in 13 years, but was only ever dropped once because his keeping was so indispensable.

Keeping just part of it. If ignoring the upsides, his batting was never poor, just not what you would hope for. Upsides in the fact that he seemed to dig deep and make runs when needed. Upside forever hoped for in that he might come right-might start adding some proper numbers any day. Then probably a bit of old boys club that kept him hanging on at the end when we'd eventually accepted he was going keep batting at the same level and his keeping had slipped a tiny bit. Test batting was a disappointment (with partner in tail Pollock). Boucher was a proper beast in ODIs though

 

[Dendarii]

Boucher's longevity also possibly counts against him when assessing his test batting. When he started out an average of 30 was seen as good for a keeper, but by the end of his career the game had evolved to the keeper beings expected to average 40 (if not more) and basically be another fully-fledged batsman.

 

[SeamUp]

Watching the Pakistan tour preview.

You actually forget how believable Mickey Arthur is when he speaks.

He genuinely believes this Pakistan team can be the first Asian team to win a test series in South Africa and he assured Mbangwa they will be ready.

Says most of their batsman are getting across to off stump. Really enthused about the batting line-up and the talent and variation in the pace attack.

 

[StephenZA]

I think you think I am saying he must positive and aggressive all the time and maybe reckless ? The answer is no.

I think he is a better player when he is not thinking about getting out and when he is looking to score. Whether that is a 1 or a 2 and boundaries. What ever the stroke commit to it fully. Like for example his innings in Durban v Australia is peak de Kock.

I don't think anybody wants him to be reckless. It is different for different players; he needs to play positively like you say, but also have a plan. I think he is one of those players who will play aggressively (sometimes becoming reckless) when told to play naturally and he is not in form. I don't think you can play test cricket without some thought, particularly when you are out of form. I would like him to recognise this and put the low % shots away. Not to play scared but to recognise that each situation including your own form, is unique.

 

[SeamUp]

I don't think anybody wants him to be reckless. It is different for different players; he needs to play positively like you say, but also have a plan. I think he is one of those players who will play aggressively (sometimes becoming reckless) when told to play naturally and he is not in form. I don't think you can play test cricket without some thought, particularly when you are out of form. I would like him to recognise this and put the low % shots away. Not to play scared but to recognise that each situation including your own form, is unique.

Agree but his circumstances also change batting at 7 when batting with the tail. He has unique pressures too after keeping.

I was extremely worried before the Australia series but he showed in Durban he is capable of what you want from him.

But all comes back to confidence in your game plan. What makes you good and what got you where you are. It also goes back to perhaps the pitfalls of not playing a lot of FC cricket before being on the international stage where he didn't go through too many ups and downs there before getting picked so he didn't really have many reference points.

That is why I say with guys like de Kock. He needs to managed and challenged well. Yes, we can say he is his own person but we getting to a stage in professional sport where everything is done to support the best talent so they can perform when on the big stage. I just think Faf is the sort of captain to say express yourself but Smith may have demanded more from him everyday. It isn't a slight on Faf, just saying captains are different.