Pakistan Tour of South Africa 2018/19

[SeamUp]

I don't know why Shaun Pollock was pushing the 6-5 split so much. Maybe he has inside track that it is going to be a Newlands flatty with everyday in the 30s or something with a spinner absolutely vital in 2nd innings.

I think his reasoning was they like what Olivier brings to the attack as an enforcer especially against a team like Pakistan.

 

[SeamUp]

No need to drop de Bruyn, it is either play Maharaj or Olivier.

In honesty my bigger issue is the proverbial elephant in the room when Ngidi comes back; it is unfair on both players, neither of which have done anything wrong. Potential Abbott situation all over again.

I wonder if these guys will be patient enough to play some SA A cricket. We have our usual India,Australia tri series but we only seem to play England Lions when we play England home and away. With them here next summer hopefully there is a decent amount of England Lions fixtures and they show SA A cricket on tv again like they used to.

 

[Dendarii]

I wonder if these guys will be patient enough to play some SA A cricket.

Although the question is how much will they play for the A team? I don't think Abbott played all that much for SA A because he was going on tour with the test side as a backup bowler and just carrying drinks, which I think led to some frustration.

And something else which factored into Abbott's decision to leave was the uncertainty over what was going to happen to Kolpak with Brexit. The county sides came calling to ensure that they could snap up South African players while it was still possible. So things could be different once (if?) Brexit is resolved, and Kolpak may no longer be an option, which means that we might not see a repeat of the Abbott situation.

But it doesn't mean that there doesn't need to be a way of managing the likes of Olivier, Ngidi, Nortje, and whoever else may come along as there could be the possibility that they could try to jump ship and play for England (although I'm not sure what eligibility rules are now and how easy that is these days). Or even Ireland - they're pretty much a homegrown side these days, but would they turn down the opportunity to entice a South African fast bowler on the fringes of test selection?

 

[SeamUp]

Although the question is how much will they play for the A team? I don't think Abbott played all that much for SA A because he was going on tour with the test side as a backup bowler and just carrying drinks, which I think led to some frustration.

And something else which factored into Abbott's decision to leave was the uncertainty over what was going to happen to Kolpak with Brexit. The county sides came calling to ensure that they could snap up South African players while it was still possible. So things could be different once (if?) Brexit is resolved, and Kolpak may no longer be an option, which means that we might not see a repeat of the Abbott situation.

But it doesn't mean that there doesn't need to be a way of managing the likes of Olivier, Ngidi, Nortje, and whoever else may come along as there could be the possibility that they could try to jump ship and play for England (although I'm not sure what eligibility rules are now and how easy that is these days). Or even Ireland - they're pretty much a homegrown side these days, but would they turn down the opportunity to entice a South African fast bowler on the fringes of test selection?

Don't think Ngidi ever played for the A team. Nortje only just got his debut in the winter. And with both in the IPL they probably content. Suppose Olivier is the worry being a veteran almost of the A team and already having a decent county season with Derbyshire.

I think the rules for qualification for England are much stricter but recently I think they relaxed the rules for Jofra Archer ? So not sure how that effects things, I would say currently Ricardo Vasoncelos and Conor McKerr are the biggest Saffer talents who could play for England since Tom Curran. I would put Keaton Jennings in there but never thought he was much and certainly we have had much bigger talents than him at a similar age to when he left over the years.

 

[trundler]

Steyn and Philander haven't got many years left in them do they? That frees up 2 spots in a couple years or so. Olivier would be 28, Ngidi 24 and Nortje 27.

 

[SeamUp]

Steyn and Philander haven't got many years left in them do they? That frees up 2 spots in a couple years or so. Olivier would be 28, Ngidi 24 and Nortje 27.

Yeah the general talk is 2 years. Is there much to play for after India away and England home next summer ? Not sure if they will make the test Championship ?

The other thing is I'm not sure if Gibson was hinting that there may be fast bowling rotation. Steyn for example , if he plays every test till the last of England tour plays a 100 tests. If his form holds up would he want to miss out to rest ?

Vern-dawg loves putting his feet up for 1 test per series and it works well for him

 

[SeamUp]

Amla exhibits his version of "ProteaFire" - ESPNcricinfo

 

[vcs]

I guess the logical thing to do would be to leave out Steyn. Then again, it's Dale ****ing Steyn.

Harsh on Olivier but I guess he'll have to make way.

 

[NUFAN]

Id love RSA to go the 6-5 split tbh.

That Steyn worse average thing posted above is so crazy.

 

[Heboric]

Yeah the general talk is 2 years. Is there much to play for after India away and England home next summer ? Not sure if they will make the test Championship ?

The other thing is I'm not sure if Gibson was hinting that there may be fast bowling rotation. Steyn for example , if he plays every test till the last of England tour plays a 100 tests. If his form holds up would he want to miss out to rest ?

Vern-dawg loves putting his feet up for 1 test per series and it works well for him

I was right, we do play Aus every year in one format or the other

 

[M0rphin3]

There's no way SA is gonna bench a guy who's just picked a 10'fer and was declared MOM right? It's crazy but then again, don't see any other choice. Dropping Steyn would seem even crazier tbh.

 

[Daemon]

Drop Maharaj.

 

[StephenZA]

Drop Maharaj.

It will probably depend on the pitch... if it is dry (which Newlands can be) then they will need Maharaj for the 4/5th innings. If green then play Olivier.

 

[Dendarii]

There's no way SA is gonna bench a guy who's just picked a 10'fer and was declared MOM right? It's crazy but then again, don't see any other choice. Dropping Steyn would seem even crazier tbh.

And dropping Rabada would be just as crazy, as would not playing Philander at Newlands. This is one of the most ridiculous selection conundrums you're likely to come across.

 

[StephenZA]

Just as an aside, 12 months ago I was advocating playing Morkel, Steyn, Philander, Rabada, Maharaj... with QDK at 6, of course we had no number 6 batsmen making runs and QDK was in form. But it does feel a bit harsh on Olivier considering.....

 

[M0rphin3]

And dropping Rabada would be just as crazy, as would not playing Philander at Newlands. This is one of the most ridiculous selection conundrums you're likely to come across.

Yeah really. And to think that there's still Ngidi to come, who's done nothing wrong to be left out either.

Short term - would say bench Maharaj, seems like the least crazy option ATM.

 

[Dendarii]

Just as an aside, 12 months ago I was advocating playing Morkel, Steyn, Philander, Rabada, Maharaj... with QDK at 6, of course we had no number 6 batsmen making runs and QDK was in form.

And the batting line-up had AB and a pre-decline Amla...

It was also the first (and as it turned out to be, only) time that all four were available for selection, and I think everybody wanted to see what has to be the best pace quartet since the West Indies in their heyday, so it was more than just team balance influencing our desire for that selection. Olivier could very well turn out to have the ability of Morkel (or be even better), but he doesn't have the pedigree, so it's not quite the same scenario.

 

[Daemon]

Imagine Abbott, Morkel, Steyn, Radaba, Philander, Ngidi and now Olivier being available for selection.

You could make 2 separate pace attacks that would be among, if not the best in the world.

 

[StephenZA]

Nortje would probably give most international batsmen a bother as well....

But stuffing 6 quality fast bowlers into 3 spots, as difficult as that is, does not solve SA's batting issues.

 

[GRAB]

It felt like that with Australia ca. 2015 in terms of pace options too. I wonder if they'll rather decide to "rest" one of the quicks (Rabada?), rather than drop them...