South Africa team selection

[Dendarii]

I'm guessing Williams was picked because he's a known quantity. He's been a fringe player for a while now so they've got an idea as to what they're getting with him.

Is he better than either of the Bosch brothers? Maybe not, but I don't see them calling up a player to debut at the World Cup.

 

[StephenZA]

I would probably have picked Phehlukwayo over Bosch brothers, mainly because we are playing in subcontinent. I don't understand Lizaard. I would rather have picked someone like Beyers Swanepoel. But Linde would be the obvious and correct choice.

 

[Marius]

I would probably have picked Phehlukwayo over Bosch brothers, mainly because we are playing in subcontinent. I don't understand Lizaard. I would rather have picked someone like Beyers Swanepoel. But Linde would be the obvious and correct choice.

I don't know what's happened between Linde and CSA, something obviously.

He would have been perfect for the No 7 spot.

 

[StephenZA]

I agree, it's quite unlikely but this is a team that could win the thing.

Batting is solid and if the batting fires, we'll be getting 400+.

Ngidi looks like he is getting back to his best form, Maharaj (especially) and Shamsi are bowling well, Rabada is Rabada, and even Coetzee isn't going to disappoint us.

See I just don't see what you see... I don't rate our batting at all, not against a proper quality international attack. And struggle to see it happen on the subcontinent. QDK does not feel or look like a man that cares any longer. Disappointing as it is. I've always liked Bavuma but he is a limited batsmen and I don't see him as a quality leader. My opinion of VDD is well established, and whether through bias or not, I don't see him being SA batting saviour. Markram has stabilised into a good player still leaves much to be desired. Klaasen is literally a hit or miss for me. And I have had to many years of Miller flattering to deceive at crucial moments. I juts have no confidence in out batting line-up to be consistent in any way.

Rabada looks off the boil for awhile, as great a player he is. I do think the problems in the squad and great issues around CSA have hurt his career. I love Maharaj, and I hope he does well. Not sure if he will though. Shamsi has become a total roll of the dice on a day as likely to take 5 or go for 80 odd. Ngidi is looking better, but has not had the consistency you would like to see. I love Coetzee but he is young and as likely to go for runs as take somebodies head off.

I just see no consistency in the team regarding performance, and in the subcontinent against some very good team my only wish for the WC is not for SA to totally embarrass themselves.

What is sad for me is that I see none of this changing on the horizon... not because of lack of talent, but because of a lack of nurturing that talent and looking after this great game in South Africa.

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

See I just don't see what you see... I don't rate our batting at all, not against a proper quality international attack. And struggle to see it happen on the subcontinent. QDK does not feel or look like a man that cares any longer. Disappointing as it is. I've always liked Bavuma but he is a limited batsmen and I don't see him as a quality leader. My opinion of VDD is well established, and whether through bias or not, I don't see him being SA batting saviour. Markram has stabilised into a good player still leaves much to be desired. Klaasen is literally a hit or miss for me. And I have had to many years of Miller flattering to deceive at crucial moments. I juts have no confidence in out batting line-up to be consistent in any way.

Rabada looks off the boil for awhile, as great a player he is. I do think the problems in the squad and great issues around CSA have hurt his career. I love Maharaj, and I hope he does well. Not sure if he will though. Shamsi has become a total roll of the dice on a day as likely to take 5 or go for 80 odd. Ngidi is looking better, but has not had the consistency you would like to see. I love Coetzee but he is young and as likely to go for runs as take somebodies head off.

I just see no consistency in the team regarding performance, and in the subcontinent against some very good team my only wish for the WC is not for SA to totally embarrass themselves.

What is sad for me is that I see none of this changing on the horizon... not because of lack of talent, but because of a lack of nurturing that talent and looking after this great game in South Africa.

I agree with everything you said bar Miller ,

He's really underrated..I think he's our best ever No.5/6 in ODI cricket ..
He averages over 50 in World Cups , that World Cup Semi Final he stepped up with a 49 off 18 ..
Against Zimbabwe in the group stage we were 4 down for not many he scored an unbeaten hundred to ensure we avoided an upset ..

2013 Champions Trophy decider vs England he was the only batsman that made any runs with an unbeaten 50 out of a total of 170 odd ..

2017 Champions Trophy the match that enabled Pakistan to go all the way and win it , in a poor batting performance he was the guy that held things together with a fighting 75 ..

Played a role in some big odi chases aswell , only real flop was 2019 CWC but even then he wasn't the worst with a top order that failed to give decent platforms constantly with Amla being out of form and QDK with the usual stage fright at big tournaments.

 

[Marius]

See I just don't see what you see... I don't rate our batting at all, not against a proper quality international attack. And struggle to see it happen on the subcontinent. QDK does not feel or look like a man that cares any longer. Disappointing as it is. I've always liked Bavuma but he is a limited batsmen and I don't see him as a quality leader. My opinion of VDD is well established, and whether through bias or not, I don't see him being SA batting saviour. Markram has stabilised into a good player still leaves much to be desired. Klaasen is literally a hit or miss for me. And I have had to many years of Miller flattering to deceive at crucial moments. I juts have no confidence in out batting line-up to be consistent in any way.

Rabada looks off the boil for awhile, as great a player he is. I do think the problems in the squad and great issues around CSA have hurt his career. I love Maharaj, and I hope he does well. Not sure if he will though. Shamsi has become a total roll of the dice on a day as likely to take 5 or go for 80 odd. Ngidi is looking better, but has not had the consistency you would like to see. I love Coetzee but he is young and as likely to go for runs as take somebodies head off.

I just see no consistency in the team regarding performance, and in the subcontinent against some very good team my only wish for the WC is not for SA to totally embarrass themselves.

What is sad for me is that I see none of this changing on the horizon... not because of lack of talent, but because of a lack of nurturing that talent and looking after this great game in South Africa.

We've won our last three ODI series. Granted they were all at home but one was against England and the other was against Aus. It wasn't a full-strength Aus but you can only play what's in front of you.

We also beat Aus three games in a row by more than 100 runs. That's pretty consistent.

Also, not sure I agree with you on the batting. Bavuma in his last ten ODIs averages 80 at better than a run a ball, Markram averages 70 at 120 in his last ten, Miller 55 at 125, and Klaasen averages over 60 at an SR of nearly 160. QDK is not as good but he is still averaging over 30 and maybe one last WC will be the boost he needs.

I'm not sure what more you want from the batters, those are great numbers for your core batting unit and you need those kinds of stats if you want to get deep in a WC.

And Klaasen and Miller are going to be hit and miss, they're finishers, they have to take risks, and those risks will pay off as often as they don't.

I understand your concerns but if you look at those numbers I'm not sure how you can only see doom and gloom.

 

[Nintendo]

SA have had the best middle order (4-8) since the last WC in terms of both strike rate, and average. The fact they can maintain that while keeping 5 fielding five genuine bowlers is a phenomenal advantage. Bavuma's also in fantastic form, and even if quinny and rassie flop, their good enough to still give you runs at an average of ~30. That type of batting line-up while also having the luxury of 5 frontline bowlers is phenomenal, and nothing the other teams can replicate.

England are gonna be relying on moeen and livingstone, Australia are gonna scrape 10 overs between maxwell, green, marsh, etc, on their best days. Even india have to scrape 10-15 overs from jadeja/hardik on their best days while playing axar/shardul at 8.

 

[Stefan9]

I`m sorry but honestly my feelings around the squad are meh... its a squad of potentials, that are likely never to fulfil or do anything truly positive.

Politics, bad policy decisions, (and I`m not talking quota itself but implementation thereof) and a failed governing board that has been going for twenty years has destroyed any semblance of a solid structure that makes sense on any level. Largely due to short sightedness and resting on its laurels. (Much like ignoring the FC and Test matches!)

We can compare it to rugby, which has more monies granted, and maybe not some of the difficulties cricket has in easy to play, but has also had many problems and many ups and downs. But has through sevens rugby, woman's game, through intelligent investment, good overall strategic long term planning and from a much more underdeveloped point of view (where the springboks where a symbol of hatred by many) actually managed to get the game to the masses, and produce a team that is representative (not 100% perfect) by doing the necessary and developing and now it just keeps producing a good game; that all participate in and are proud off.

Until the CSA, particularly, cricket associations and clubs largely remove there head from their ass nothing is likely to change. And rugby has already give a pretty good and basic development strategy to follow. The powers that be just need to actually bite the bullet do it and hope the rest of the country does not crumble around it while we wait for the improvements. The failure to use the successes of the 2007-2015, to grow the game in SA is a huge black mark that should never be forgiven.

Rugby did have the advantage of establishing themselves early on as winners by winning the 1995 WC. Unfortunately cricket on the other hand established themselves as chockers. Whether that's fair or not, it does mean when corporate has x amount to spend on sport sponsorship the obvious is going to be the brand seen as winners.

 

[StephenZA]

Rugby did have the advantage of establishing themselves early on as winners by winning the 1995 WC.

Yes, but for all that, they were still a hated symbol to a big majority of the country… however much Mandelas good will existed.

The problems SA cricket face comes down to self inflicted wounds, largely due to poor governance. And nothing in the current management and its decisions shows me that is going to change.

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

Dolphins beat North West by 3 wickets thanks to an unbeaten 100 by Jason Smith in chasing down 269.
Earlier on , Dolphins put NW in to bat ,
Eathan Bosch (2/44 ) and Ottniel Baartman (2/43) set the tone upfront for the Dolphins with disciplined new ball bowling getting good shape and swing , they were backed up by some good fast bowling by the skiddy Daryn Dupavillion (3/43) , Jon-Jon Smuts 1/42 and Andile Phehlukwayo 1/39 rounded up the wickets column for the Dolphins ..
Solid contributions from Van Tonder , Lubbe and Muthusamy with the bat for North West Dragons , Duan Jansen 2/49 the pick of the bowlers for North West Dragons ..

Cricket scorecard - Dolphins vs North West, 4th Match, CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge Division One 2023

Catch live and fully detailed scorecard of Dolphins vs North West, 4th Match, Fri, Sep 22, CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge Division One 2023 on Cricbuzz

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[Marius]

Dolphins beat North West by 3 wickets thanks to an unbeaten 100 by Jason Smith in chasing down 269.
Earlier on , Dolphins put NW in to bat ,
Eathan Bosch (2/44 ) and Ottniel Baartman (2/43) set the tone upfront for the Dolphins with disciplined new ball bowling getting good shape and swing , they were backed up by some good fast bowling by the skiddy Daryn Dupavillion (3/43) , Jon-Jon Smuts 1/42 and Andile Phehlukwayo 1/39 rounded up the wickets column for the Dolphins ..
Solid contributions from Van Tonder , Lubbe and Muthusamy with the bat for North West Dragons , Duan Jansen 2/49 the pick of the bowlers for North West Dragons ..

Cricket scorecard - Dolphins vs North West, 4th Match, CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge Division One 2023

Catch live and fully detailed scorecard of Dolphins vs North West, 4th Match, Fri, Sep 22, CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge Division One 2023 on Cricbuzz

m.cricbuzz.com

Smith has OK numbers, I wonder if he's on the selectors' radar.

 

[Dendarii]

Smith has OK numbers, I wonder if he's on the selectors' radar.

He's played for South Africa A, which suggests that he is. His batting has been a bit on the weak side, but he seems to have improved in recent years.

 

[Marius]

He's played for South Africa A, which suggests that he is. His batting has been a bit on the weak side, but he seems to have improved in recent years.

Well, he got a hundred last year and averaged 55 in last year's FC comp, so he's starting to do something right.

 

[Bahseph]

He's played for South Africa A, which suggests that he is. His batting has been a bit on the weak side, but he seems to have improved in recent years.

Was a really good knock yesterday. I watched all of it. Paced it very well.

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

Only worry is that it appears Jason Smith has cut down his bowling workload a lot , didn't bowl last night ..
We desperately need someone in the top 6 that can bowl something decent..I know Markram has taken up offspin recently but we need more options than that

 

[StephenZA]

Only worry is that it appears Jason Smith has cut down his bowling workload a lot , didn't bowl last night ..
We desperately need someone in the top 6 that can bowl something decent..I know Markram has taken up offspin recently but we need more options than that

We need more good options than that. I’m trying to think what have SAs genuine top 6, as in batting top 6, all rounders been, since readmission, outside Kallis. Not 7-9s. Kuiper for awhile. Big Mac. Klusener, maybe. Hansie. Duminy?! Been okay with wk in top 6 with a few options, even if most have not panned out. But not many genuine top 6 all rounders, that could also take a decent bowling load on.

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

We need more good options than that. I’m trying to think what have SAs genuine top 6, as in batting top 6, all rounders been, since readmission, outside Kallis. Not 7-9s. Kuiper for awhile. Big Mac. Klusener, maybe. Hansie. Duminy?! Been okay with wk in top 6 with a few options, even if most have not panned out. But not many genuine top 6 all rounders, that could also take a decent bowling load on.

We've had all rounders who were great at domestic level but couldn't replicate that in the national team. Guys like Albie Morkel , Dwaine Pretorius, David Wiese and now Wiaan Mulder seems to be heading the same way having not being able to make two World Cups where he was eligible for selection..

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

Wow Wiaan Mulder made 96 out of a total of 128 all out vs WP .
Nobody else in the Lions side made more 6! .

LIONS vs WPR Cricket Scorecard, 5th Match at Johannesburg, September 23, 2023

Live Cricket Scoreboard: Get Lions vs Western Province 5th Match, cricket scorecard, CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge Division One 2023/24 dated September 23, 2023.

www.espncricinfo.com

 

[Dendarii]

That's the most ridiculous scorecard I've ever seen.

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

Another weird scorecard for a completely different reason ..
Titans crushed Boland by 237 runs
Everyone chipped in with the bat for the Titans as all batsman made 21 runs or higher , the main contributors being Dean Elgar 103 (99) and Donovan Ferreira 63 (40) as the Titans posted 380/7 .

Boland were skittled for just 143 .
Janneman Malan's shocking form continues, out for just 4 .
Corbin Bosch took 2/25 to go with his cameo of 21 not out off 11 , Dayaan Galiem took 1/15 to go with his 37 off 18 , the spinners Phangiso and Brand nabbed 3 wickets a piece .
As good a team effort as you are likely to see .

TITNS vs BOL Cricket Scorecard, 6th Match at Centurion, September 23, 2023

Live Cricket Scoreboard: Get Titans vs Boland 6th Match, cricket scorecard, CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge Division One 2023/24 dated September 23, 2023.

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