Can't fault it too much. Who would be your ideal playing XI?Think my ideal would be:
De Kock
Amla
Du Plessis
Markram
Duminy
Miller
Klaasen
Pretorius
Mulder
Phehlukwayo
Rabada
Steyn
Ngidi (Morris if Ngidi not recovered)
Tahir
Shamsi
That is pretty much spot on..... I think they will take Reeza and take one of Pretorius/Mulder/Morris.Think my ideal would be:
De Kock
Amla
Du Plessis
Markram
Duminy
Miller
Klaasen
Pretorius
Mulder
Phehlukwayo
Rabada
Steyn
Ngidi (Morris if Ngidi not recovered)
Tahir
Shamsi
Reeza is probably my #16 as a back-up opener... Just feel like need to have both Pretorius and Mulder as I don't trust Phehlukwayo as a number 7 batsman. Can't fault the effectiveness of his bowling, even if it doesn't look the most threatening...That is pretty much spot on..... I think they will take Reeza and take one of Pretorius/Mulder/Morris.
A peak Markram gets in ahead of Reeza and Rassie. At the moment he is playing catch up which is the concern with not much time left.Reeza is probably my #16 as a back-up opener... Just feel like need to have both Pretorius and Mulder as I don't trust Phehlukwayo as a number 7 batsman. Can't fault the effectiveness of his bowling, even if it doesn't look the most threatening...
Second averages 43 in List A matches, although his strike rate is only 76. But I think it would have to be him if it's not Klaasen, especially since Second bats up the order in the shorter formats, so would perhaps be a more like-for-like replacement for De Kock.Mosehle is most likely if they go away from Klaasens. But it is going to be Klaasens... rest are either to young or more FC batting/wk. Outside van Wyk who is probably to old!
That's the problem. Not really versatile. Would say Vilas and Klaasen are more versatile to cover top order and middle order. Wish we could pick Vilas.Second averages 43 in List A matches, although his strike rate is only 76. But I think it would have to be him if it's not Klaasen, especially since Second bats up the order in the shorter formats, so would perhaps be a more like-for-like replacement for De Kock.
You're right - I was forgetting that he needs to serve as a backup batsman as well. So no great options besides Klaasen.That's the problem. Not really versatile. Would say Vilas and Klaasen are more versatile to cover top order and middle order. Wish we could pick Vilas.
I think the error was in not giving Markram this series, really. Now that vd Dussen has played and done so well it'd make the whole exercise a farce if he were to be left out now.Personally think that not taking Markram is foolish.... yes I`m picking on class and potential rather than performance, but I honestly think that is just about time. vd Dussen, Reeza, Klaasens are being picked on form which is great, but as can be seen from the inconsistency it does not last long at international cricket. I think Klaasens is going to go because of needing a backup wk and he is the obvious replacement for Miller at 6 if needed. Our real problem is the number 7 position. I would also like to see us play Tahir and Shamsi together a few times between now and the WC.
Maybe rest Amla and play Markram QDK rest of series?I think the error was in not giving Markram this series, really. Now that vd Dussen has played and done so well it'd make the whole exercise a farce if he were to be left out now.
More games between and then for that to change of course but as it stands I don't think Markram's selection in the squad can really be justified. Not giving him every opportunity to change that was a mistake IMO.
Assume Pakistan T20s or 50-over Momentum Cup for Cobras.One other way might be that Pretorius covers both the allrounder and the seamer position, so there would potentially be a bowling line-up along the lines of the first ODI. But I don't see that happening.
So unless there's an injury (or Duminy doesn't recover - when's he due back?), Markram doesn't look like he's going to the World Cup.