South Africa team selection

[StephenZA]

Do either van Tonder or Hamza have the ability to open, considering they both play at 3?

I still think Breetzke should be playing lower down the order.

 

[SeamUp]

And the insistence on picking Pieter Malan for the A side...

Exactly. I think all we've done this tour is rule out his potential future as an SA opener.

Was it v Pakistan he was called into the squad ? What do they do now ? It would be really **** if they make Theunis or Zubayr open if it came to that ?

 

[SeamUp]

Do either van Tonder or Hamza have the ability to open, considering they both play at 3?

I still think Breetzke should be playing lower down the order.

If you asked Raynard & Zubayr they would say they aren't openers. I think Raynard has got his opportunities for the Knights there (might be wrong). Lets see what happens in 2 weeks or so in 4-day comp.

Breetzke scored his 100 opening v Sri Lanka Emerging in the tests recently but they then batted him in the middle order for the 2nd test. Think he is just such a good all round player (like Gibbs) he could pull off both. In Sri Lanka I think he batted 3-5 on the emerging tour.

Just think Breetzke, van Tonder and Mulder are such good all-round players. They can play spin equally as well pace I think. Quick on the feet, use the crease well, can sweep. Not all our players have that ability even of they dominate domestically for a long while.

 

[StephenZA]

Is it official the Jono Bird is heading overseas?

 

[Dendarii]

Was it v Pakistan he was called into the squad ?

I don't have too much problem with that call. It was as cover for Markram at home and he had been scoring runs for the Cobras. So as a one-off stopgap selection it would have OK, but he's not a long-term prospect.

It would be really **** if they make Theunis or Zubayr open if it came to that ?

They've made him open before, something which only contributed to his failure to establish himself in the side.

 

[Dendarii]

If you asked Raynard van Zubayr they would say they aren't openers.

But they also wouldn't say no if they were asked to open in a test match. Which would be a problem as it would hurt their development as players.

 

[SeamUp]

Is it official the Jono Bird is heading overseas?

Not yet. I did hear he only missed the CSA T20 Cup because he got injured in the Rondebosch v Bishops rugby match. So still hope.

 

[StephenZA]

But they also wouldn't say no if they were asked to open in a test match. Which would be a problem as it would hurt their development as players.

I think it depends on the player. de Villers was given the opening spot to begin with, not ideal and you would prefer not to do it but it is not uncommon, even internationally, when you are struggling at the top.

 

[StephenZA]

Not yet. I did hear he only missed the CSA T20 Cup because he got injured in the Rondebosch v Bishops rugby match. So still hope.

If we can hold onto him then SA batting looks bright.

And stop playing stupid ****ing rugby.

 

[SeamUp]

I don't have too much problem with that call. It was as cover for Markram at home and he had been scoring runs for the Cobras. So as a one-off stopgap selection it would have OK, but he's not a long-term prospect.



They've made him open before, something which only contributed to his failure to establish himself in the side.

Was mentioning the P.Malan call-up because it may happen in these next 7 tests v India/England that we may have a situation where we will require a 3rd opener.

Can only think they go with Theunis/Zubayr or whichever opener bat Pieter Malan who is scoring domestic runs this season. Considering Moore averages 40+ for the Warriors it really would have been nice to see how he would handle the step up.

 

[SeamUp]

I think it depends on the player. de Villers was given the opening spot to begin with, not ideal and you would prefer not to do it but it is not uncommon, even internationally, when you are struggling at the top.

When talking about Gibbs/Breetzke being such all round players - how could I forget AB. His only way into a strong Titans team was to open and by scoring runs there from the get go they threw him in to open in tests for SA on his natural talent. Man, good memories that.

 

[SeamUp]

FC debut for AB and Steyn in the same match : https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...ern-province-pool-b-supersport-series-2003-04

 

[StephenZA]

When talking about Gibbs/Breetzke being such all round players - how could I forget AB. His only way into a strong Titans team was to open and by scoring runs there from the get go they threw him in to open in tests for SA on his natural talent. Man, good memories that.

I truly believe that quality a will find a way no matter where you bat them, given time they will get into their natural position. Markram opens because he was advised many years ago that is where SA team was short of quality players, so he made it his own.

Came across the name of Joshua Richards? Have you heard anything about him. Is my memory slipping that much?

 

[SeamUp]

I truly believe that quality a will find a way no matter where you bat them, given time they will get into their natural position. Markram opens because he was advised many years ago that is where SA team was short of quality players, so he made it his own.

Came across the name of Joshua Richards? Have you heard anything about him. Is my memory slipping that much?

Very true. The exceptionally talented will definitely do that.

Yeah Josh Richards. With regards to him - we will see if Cook opens for the Lions in a couple weeks or will they go Rickelton Or Richards.

What I like about Richards is his base seems to be longer format cricket. Dominated provincial from the get go but he seems to be able extend his game for limited overs cricket with good cricketing shots. That to me is the sign of a player who isn't limited which is a good sign to me. I think to an extent you do need to show a domination of a level below to step up. So I wouldn't say a hard working opener domestically will transfer that to international cricket. If you mentally sound and have more scoring areas or play all around the wicket I think you will be able to adapt to international cricket better when you face quality bowling and under pressure.

 

[StephenZA]

Piedt lack of wickets and combined with going for runs is a concern. If Muthusamy was not so similar to Maharaj as a bowler would be very tempted to play him in front of Piedt.

 

[SeamUp]

Piedt lack of wickets and combined with going for runs is a concern. If Muthusamy was not so similar to Maharaj as a bowler would be very tempted to play him in front of Piedt.

On what grounds though ? Muthusamy being similar to Maharaj is big but even then I don't think Muthusamy's performances last season warranted A team selection now did they ?

Piedt can strike but he does have days where he goes for too many runs and if he doesn't strike it looks extra bad. It is what Maharaj/Harmer have over him.

 

[SeamUp]

Was just thinking.

Top 5 all right-handers for India A so it is tougher for Piedt in this game.

India's main line up

Rohit (RHB)
Agarwal (RHB)
Pujara (RHB)
Kohli (RHB)
Rahane (RHB)
Vihari (RHB)
Pant (LHB)

With only one LHB maybe they would consider two left-arm spinners but think Piedt should play still.

But what is the recent test history of the ground we playing the first test at ? Does Philander come into the equation as a stock bowler to attack with the other 3 ?

 

[StephenZA]

On what grounds though ? Muthusamy being similar to Maharaj is big but even then I don't think Muthusamy's performances last season warranted A team selection now did they ?

Purely speculation because I wonder about Piedt keeping it tight, along with Muthusamys better ability to score runs. Not saying it should happen. Be nice if Harmer was in the squad.

Was just thinking.

Top 5 all-right handers for India A so it is tougher for Piedt in this game.

India's main line up

Rohit (RHB)
Agarwal (RHB)
Pujara (RHB)
Kohli (RHB)
Rahane (RHB)
Vihari (RHB)
Pant (LHB)

With only one LHB maybe they would consider to left-arm spinners but think Piedt should play still.

But what is the recent test history of the ground we playing the first test at ? Does Philander come into the equation as a stock bowler to attack with the other 3 ?

I am starting to think that we need to play the 3 seamers and a spinner. I'm not sure how much more Piedt adds over Philander or Ngidi in wicket taking ability unless it is a raging turner. And this goes back to the Mulder non-selection, I`m not so sure that Philander adds much in these conditions with his bowling than Mulder; who is obviously a far better bat. I do think that Ngidi is both a better stock bowler and more likely to be a threat in the Indian conditions over Philander as well.

 

[SeamUp]

I am starting to think that we need to play the 3 seamers and a spinner. I'm not sure how much more Piedt adds over Philander or Ngidi in wicket taking ability unless it is a raging turner. And this goes back to the Mulder non-selection, I`m not so sure that Philander adds much in these conditions with his bowling than Mulder; who is obviously a far better bat. I do think that Ngidi is both a better stock bowler and more likely to be a threat in the Indian conditions over Philander as well.

Same. It is in the back of my mind too. I think it has to be a big turner to play two spinners. Reason I say that, maybe I am doubting too much - can we really beat India at their game ?

In Sri Lanka when we bizarrely didn't play 2 spinners how much was that pitch turning ? Just remember it being a poor decision but I can't quite remember how the pitch actually played.

 

[StephenZA]

In Sri Lanka when we bizarrely didn't play 2 spinners how much was that pitch turning ? Just remember it being a poor decision but I can't quite remember how the pitch actually played.

Well the bowling was not really a problem in either of the SL matches in SL. It was our horrendous batting, that is where 90% of our problems exist. I think overall that we have a good enough bowling whichever way we go to bowl India out. Question is if we can put enough runs on the board. Hence Mulder (to continue beating the un-alive horse).