South Africa team selection

[Bahseph]

I agree with you on Keshav. I'm just in the camp that feels that he deserves a longer rope. He has been excellent for us since his debut except for his performances against India. We can't be that desperate for an allrounder that we go bits and pieces like this. I know Stokes was bowling rockets but Dwaine looked so rattled. I'd still be surprised if they dump him for the next Test though. He has done his job with the ball and we probably would have been safe in this Test if we batted a little better at the end of the second day.

 

[SeamUp]

Don't think he would get selected at the moment anyways. It is obvious that they want players with decent FC experience. I think the they have mentioned giving the younger guys a chance to prove themselves in the ODI's etc.

Which is a big load. Scored a 100 in India v India A. Has 3 FC 100s for the Lions averaging 45. Has over 50 wickets averaging 21 with the ball. Age/experience shouldn't even come into it.

I want him to get bedded in , I wouldn't even expect the world of him if he was fit and selected but we really need to start mixing up short term solutions in our selections with smart selections.

 

[SeamUp]

I agree with you on Keshav. I'm just in the camp that feels that he deserves a longer rope. He has been excellent for us since his debut except for his performances against India. We can't be that desperate for an allrounder that we go bits and pieces like this. I know Stokes was bowling rockets but Dwaine looked so rattled. I'd still be surprised if they dump him for the next Test though. He has done his job with the ball and we probably would have been safe in this Test if we batted a little better at the end of the second day.

Dwaine can't play a defensive stroke with any certainty so not sure what he is doing in test cricket. His dismissal in the first innings was predictable and almost like a lower order player and not someone expected to score runs.

 

[MrPrez]

I've quite enjoyed watching Dwaine bowl this series tbh, pleasantly surprised at how he has held his own.

Batting isn't 7-worthy and in the context of this series should probably be batting below Philander tbph.

There will be no spot for Dwaine post-England though as with Philander retired we can't have something like Pretorius 7/Maharaj 8. And no way Pretorius can be picked as a part of the four-man primary attack.

Obvious solution is a fit Mulder. Full stop. But I wouldn't drop Dwaine for the next test.

 

[StephenZA]

I've quite enjoyed watching Dwaine bowl this series tbh, pleasantly surprised at how he has held his own.

Batting isn't 7-worthy and in the context of this series should probably be batting below Philander tbph.

There will be no spot for Dwaine post-England though as with Philander retired we can't have something like Pretorius 7/Maharaj 8. And no way Pretorius can be picked as a part of the four-man primary attack.

Obvious solution is a fit Mulder. Full stop. But I wouldn't drop Dwaine for the next test.

Which says it all really. Great FC player, never going to be a test quality player, and never as an all rounder. Unfortunately he will probably be picked next match. I would prefer Andile at this stage (particularly in PE) as he keeps taking wickets and scoring a few runs at FC level. I am not saying he would actually contribute anymore but at least he would have a purpose within the team and can still grow as a player.

 

[Dendarii]

But I wouldn't drop Dwaine for the next test.

I doubt they're going to. They convinced the guy not to sign a Kolpak deal, so that kind of forces them to pick him in order to justify that decision.

 

[Dendarii]

I would prefer Andile at this stage (particularly in PE) as he keeps taking wickets and scoring a few runs at FC level.

He's got a better test bowling average than anybody else...

 

[SeamUp]

If we looking at the pure batsmen I think Keegan Petersen shouldn't bat anywhere other than 3 so for me he is pushing Hamza or when Faf retires he maybe goes to 3 and Hamza 4.

The other reserve batsmen were Second and Bavuma and obviously Rudi deserves first shot. I wouldn't say he is very adaptable cricketer to bat 6/7 so the lowest I would bat him is 5. Obviously this is all an ideal scenario but things aren't exactly ideal with the lack of batting ability we currently have which is made worse by Pretorius meant to be batting 7 but batting 8.

 

[SeamUp]

I've quite enjoyed watching Dwaine bowl this series tbh, pleasantly surprised at how he has held his own.

Batting isn't 7-worthy and in the context of this series should probably be batting below Philander tbph.

There will be no spot for Dwaine post-England though as with Philander retired we can't have something like Pretorius 7/Maharaj 8. And no way Pretorius can be picked as a part of the four-man primary attack.

Obvious solution is a fit Mulder. Full stop. But I wouldn't drop Dwaine for the next test.

Thing is, don't you think with a wicket like that where you perhaps had to search and be less predictable as a bowler it made our attack quite toothless ? Vern & Hulk and then Kesh whilst not flying right now can be slightly excused because the wicket was turning so slowly for the finger spinner - it was a wrist-spinners wicket to be attacking on.

Going to PE... it could be a very similar sort of game plan. Maybe more reverse swing.

 

[MrPrez]

Yeah but the alternative is picking a batsman, not picking a fifth bowler to replace Pretorius, surely. I'd have Pretorius over Lucky in Tests any day, and a specialist bowler would make our tail too long - particularly given our fragil batting line-up.

I could get on board with a batsman replacing Pretorius but I actually thought he looked good so I wouldn't mind either way.

Remember - Usually we'd have four specialist bowlers ie Rabada, Nortje, Vern, Maharaj. The additional bowler doesn't make us more toothless.

 

[SeamUp]

Remember - Usually we'd have four specialist bowlers ie Rabada, Nortje, Vern, Maharaj. The additional bowler doesn't make us more toothless.

I just think his overs are overs we aren't looking to attack on so it is a waste.

Like Stephen says , back the extra batsmen then to give us more of a chance of making our bowlers put their feet up for more time.

Vern has got himself trim (despite the Buttler chirps) for this series. He just has to do some more donkey work.

 

[StephenZA]

The only issue is where an extra batsmen bats? Are we really wanting to drop QDK to 7 again?

Ultimately I don't think they are making changes and everybody is likely to keep their spot.

 

[MrPrez]

I just think his overs are overs we aren't looking to attack on so it is a waste.

Like Stephen says , back the extra batsmen then to give us more of a chance of making our bowlers put their feet up for more time.

Vern has got himself trim (despite the Buttler chirps) for this series. He just has to do some more donkey work.

I don't know if it's strictly true that we're not looking to "attack" during Pretorius' overs. He's certainly not aggressive like a Rabada but he does offer a wicket-taking ability.

I do agree though as a general rule that a bowling AR at 7 is a bad idea in Tests. I'd rather see a specialist batsman, or in the best case scenario, Mulder.

I will say, though, that Pretorius is almost certainly being groomed to take over from Philander as our number 8, which I'm not a fan of at all.

Basically, I'm not a fan of Pretorius usually but he actually made me a fan of his FC bowling this series. I'd much prefer a specialist bowler like an Ngidi/Sipamla/Jansen/Dupavillon to get the opportunity when Vern retires. But he's done enough in the last match that I'd understand if they are unwilling to drop him for now.

 

[MrPrez]

The only issue is where an extra batsmen bats? Are we really wanting to drop QDK to 7 again?

Ultimately I don't think they are making changes and everybody is likely to keep their spot.

7 is the obvious spot for Mulder. It all just makes sense. But it's tough to drop Pretorius after his last game imo.

 

[Pup Clarke]

I'd go
Malan, Elgar, Hamza, Faf, VDD, QDK, Linde, Philander, Phehlukwayo, Rabada, Nortje

Actually think I'd drop Maharaj tbh. Averaging 50 over the last year and body language doesn't look good. Maybe a good time for him to take some wickets for the Dolphins to then be in consideration for the 4th test

 

[StephenZA]

7 is the obvious spot for Mulder. It all just makes sense. But it's tough to drop Pretorius after his last game imo.

Mulder is the obvious answer.....

I just don't think that Pretorius did anything of significance, many other straight out bowlers could probably do better and his batting is pointless. (What happens if Ngidi is fit?) Unfortunately he is a place keeper, I would rather we replace him with a skilled batsmen or if they want the bowling option a more threatening bowler. Hell lets pick Linde and Maharaj in the same team for PE.

 

[MrPrez]

I think if Pretorius' batting was where it was a few years back I'd actually like his selection as he offers pretty useful bowling as a fifth. It's the batting that's really the issue for me.

I hate having a fifth specialist bowler without having two quality bowling ARs among them (A team that would have something like Hall 7, Pollock 8 would be fine, for example), but Pretorius and Philander are both eh number 8s so not a fan of them in the same team from that angle.

Personally I'd like us to just pick Mulder or a batsman but I'd rather have Pretorius than a fifth specialist bowler as the weak lower order become a flat out long tail.

 

[MrPrez]

I just don't get why we've given Mulder a single Test.

Either you don't want to play him yet to develop him more, or you give him some game time. The one and bust Test against SL makes no sense if not followed up with more opportunities in series like this one.

India was still understandable as they wanted the extra spin of Muthusamy. But why Mulder didn't get a chance vs Eng is incredibly puzzling.

 

[Prince EWS]

I just don't get why we've given Mulder a single Test.

Either you don't want to play him yet to develop him more, or you give him some game time. The one and bust Test against SL makes no sense if not followed up with more opportunities in series like this one.

India was still understandable as they wanted the extra spin of Muthusamy. But why Mulder didn't get a chance vs Eng is incredibly puzzling.

He was injured in the lead up. I'm pretty sure he would've played if not.

 

[StephenZA]

I think if Pretorius' batting was where it was a few years back I'd actually like his selection as he offers pretty useful bowling as a fifth. It's the batting that's really the issue for me.

I hate having a fifth specialist bowler without having two quality bowling ARs among them (A team that would have something like Hall 7, Pollock 8 would be fine, for example), but Pretorius and Philander are both eh number 8s so not a fan of them in the same team from that angle.

Personally I'd like us to just pick Mulder or a batsman but I'd rather have Pretorius than a fifth specialist bowler as the weak lower order become a flat out long tail.

But that is all Pretorius is at the moment, a 5th bowler. his batting is useless and been so for awhile. His near 40 FC avg is throwing people off that he is a quality all-rounder. He is not. Hence my point at preferring Andile who at least has a solid technique room to grow and has been scoring runs for a Dolphins team that is struggling.