the big bambino
Cricketer Of The Year
Not really seeing enough runs in the SA top order to allow them to play 5 bowlers. So they'll have to get their fill in overs out of Duminy.
I'm not claiming that he has stunning numbers or is super consistent with the bat, but he's done more and better than Woakes. It's harsh to say he's been far less convincing when facing better attacks given he averages 50 against England, a respectable 35 against NZ and outscored most of the SA side when they toured. I recall him batting decently in Australia as well, though his numbers aren't great against them. It's also not fair to say he's dined on West Indies bowling when one of his tons against them came at 5-126 and another at 5-85.Has he bollocks. He's dined out on the West Indies bowlers and been far less convincing when facing the better attacks. He's no more a proper all rounder then someone like Woakes (a far better batsman then Philander who would IMO look out of place at 7).
That's not a bad XI, but it will never happen, not with the political considerations that have to be taken into account.I think Rossouw has that x-factor about him so although I haven't seen him in any XI's, he is in mine.
1 Elgar
2 Cook
3 Amla
4 Rossouw
5 du Plessis
6 Bavuma
7 de Kock
8 Philander
9 Steyn
10 Shamsi
11 Abbott
The number 11 spot was the hardest for me to pick. I want to see Rabada, Morkel's height at the WACA you'd think might be advantageous (although it will probably just mean every delivery will bounce over the stump and several plays and misses) but I've gone for Abbott to fulfil the Andre Nel type of role from a couple of tours back. Duminy would come into calculations if Shamsi was overlooked.
Amazes me how underrated Philander is on CW, mostly based off one bad tour of Australia.Rabada cannot be dropped. Bloke is absolutely quality. Abbott is solid, but nowhere near the ability of KG. If you drop someone it is Vern before Rabada.
Philander is excellent but Rabada will be one of the best bowlers of this generation. Won't be as pitch dependent as Vern.Amazes me how underrated Philander is on CW, mostly based off one bad tour of Australia.
It is the biggest concern regarding Rabada, he gets over played and worn out..... but he would still be better than most even not at his best.With quotas supposedly re-enforced or whatever it is, Rabada will probably never get dropped for the rest of his life, even if he isn't at his best
Can never understand it myself, think it must be a tubby bias....Amazes me how underrated Philander is on CW, mostly based off one bad tour of Australia.
Philander is less pitch dependant than people imply... yes on a green seamer he is unplayable. And his lack of pace means he won`t take 5 for on slow flat surfaces once the ball softens. But regardless of the pitch, with new ball in hand he is always a threat because he is so very accurate and hits the seam so regularly. For the mid periods he is a good stock bowler keeping things tight.Philander is excellent but Rabada will be one of the best bowlers of this generation. Won't be as pitch dependent as Vern.
Our undying love for Herath would suggest it's not that.Can never understand it myself, think it must be a tubby bias....
This is true. He isn't always a huge wicket taking threat when the pitch flattens out , but he is always in the game with the line he bowls. He played his part in the UAE ando Sri Lanka if I remember correctly.Philander is less pitch dependant than people imply... yes on a green seamer he is unplayable. And his lack of pace means he won`t take 5 for on slow flat surfaces once the ball softens. But regardless of the pitch, with new ball in hand he is always a threat because he is so very accurate and hits the seam so regularly. For the mid periods he is a good stock bowler keeping things tight.
Yeah.. but Herath`s a spin bowler with an intrinsic coolness factor that overcomes his tubbyness.... Philander, unfortunately, is a medium pacer and does not have coolness factor .Our undying love for Herath would suggest it's not that.
More like one bad innings considering he was fine in Perth.Amazes me how underrated Philander is on CW, mostly based off one bad tour of Australia.
Oh yes, he missed the Test where the pitch looked unsuited didn't he, that damn unfortunately timed "injury".More like one bad innings considering he was fine in Perth.
I'd have thought a 14 Test run with only 25 wickets has more to do with it then just one series.Amazes me how underrated Philander is on CW, mostly based off one bad tour of Australia.
Good thing that no other Test cricketer has ever gone through a bad patch.I'd have thought a 14 Test run with only 25 wickets has more to do with it then just one series.