South Africa team selection

[SeamUp]

So AB de Villiers is playing for the Titans in the Sunfoil Series this week. FC cricket will feel a bit weird to him I bet.

Going to be so hard picking the XI come India.

 

[GRAB]

So AB de Villiers is playing for the Titans in the Sunfoil Series this week. FC cricket will feel a bit weird to him I bet.

Going to be so hard picking the XI come India.

He has played 8 franchise 4-day games ever in 13 years... So yes, he will be a little lost!

 

[StephenZA]

I`m starting to worry that including Phehlukwayo in the test team is to try find a space for ABdV by removing Bavuma, Phehlukwayo barely bowled at all!.... I prefer Bavuma in the test team than Phehlukwayo, even though I like the kid. Or is this a case of getting ahead of the quotas with 3 'black' players against Bangladesh now? I hope Phehlukwayo is not a long term replacement at this stage...

 

[SeamUp]

I`m starting to worry that including Phehlukwayo in the test team is to try find a space for ABdV by removing Bavuma, Phehlukwayo barely bowled at all!.... I prefer Bavuma in the test team than Phehlukwayo, even though I like the kid. Or is this a case of getting ahead of the quotas with 3 'black' players against Bangladesh now? I hope Phehlukwayo is not a long term replacement at this stage...

It probably is about keeping options open with Bavuma moving forward. But I can't see them leaving Bavuma out at any stage. When AB is back they will go 6 batsmen again ?

What you reckon ?

 

[Dendarii]

I`m starting to worry that including Phehlukwayo in the test team is to try find a space for ABdV by removing Bavuma, Phehlukwayo barely bowled at all!.... I prefer Bavuma in the test team than Phehlukwayo, even though I like the kid. Or is this a case of getting ahead of the quotas with 3 'black' players against Bangladesh now? I hope Phehlukwayo is not a long term replacement at this stage...

Because of Rabada missing one of the matches against England, they were one black player behind on the quota, so his selection could have been a way of catching up and then getting ahead. But as you point out, and we have touched on, it could be a way of providing a space for De Villiers.

There's nothing wrong with fasttracking players who are good enough as it's paid dividends with De Kock and Rabada. But as much as I like Phehlukwayo and think that he shows promise, he's not in their class.

 

[StephenZA]

It probably is about keeping options open with Bavuma moving forward. But I can't see them leaving Bavuma out at any stage. When AB is back they will go 6 batsmen again ?

What you reckon ?

Markram, Elgar, Amla, AbdV, Faf, Bavuma, QDK, Philander, Maharaj, Rabada, Morkel.... Steyn returns?
Else:.... Markram, Elgar, Amla, AbdV, Faf, QDK, Philander, Maharaj, Rabada, Morkel, Steyn ?

Unless (scary thought!) Markram is dropped Bavuma opens? QDK at 6 and ?

 

[SeamUp]

Markram, Elgar, Amla, AbdV, Faf, Bavuma, QDK, Philander, Maharaj, Rabada, Morkel.... Steyn returns?
Else:.... Markram, Elgar, Amla, AbdV, Faf, QDK, Philander, Maharaj, Rabada, Morkel, Steyn ?

Unless (scary thought!) Markram is dropped Bavuma opens? QDK at 6 and ?

Yeah I think those are the options. And like you said they getting ahead of the average or at least catching up and then in the T20s we will see Mosehle, Zondo, Dala, Phangiso, Magala maybe.

I see Bavuma is in ODI squad. Probably be when they go 2-0 up (well that is the plan) and then rest KG.

 

[StephenZA]

Cant believe SA dont have another Test until Jan. Hopefully we have a fully fit squad to pick from though.

 

[SeamUp]

Cant believe SA dont have another Test until Jan. Hopefully we have a fully fit squad to pick from though.

Interesting to see if any of the seniors play in last 2 rounds of Sunfoil before Global t20 starts which runs right through to mid-December.

 

[SeamUp]

Forgot about the ODI series.

So basically Elgar, Markram, de Bruyn, Maharaj, Olivier aren't in the 50-overs squad but Markram/Maharaj will play that warm-up 50-over game vs Bangladesh.

 

[Bahseph]

I thought the D/N game was getting Test status?

 

[StephenZA]

I thought the D/N game was getting Test status?

Probably... but not confirmed. And sorry to say not really counting that as a proper 'test'. Even though I may actually go and watch.

 

[Bahseph]

I feel like Zimbabwe might be more of a challenge than Bangladesh though. Especially if Jarvis and Taylor are back.

 

[SeamUp]

I feel like Zimbabwe might be more of a challenge than Bangladesh though. Especially if Jarvis and Taylor are back.

Taylor likes to raise his game for us if memory serves me correct.

 

[StephenZA]

I feel like Zimbabwe might be more of a challenge than Bangladesh though. Especially if Jarvis and Taylor are back.

Maybe... but I did expect better from Bangladesh.

But realistically until India get here SA are just keeping their hand in until India arrive but Jan to March should hopefully be great cricket for RSA fans.

 

[Woodster]

From a neutral perspective, the balance of the side will probably be dictated to according to conditions and opposition. I mean that top seven looks very strong - Markram, Elgar, Amla, De Villiers, Du Plessis, Bavuma and De Kock, and against the weaker sides such as Bangladesh you could, as SA did, effectively lose one of those and use a Philander-type bat at seven.

I think the Aussies and India would enjoy the likes of Philander coming in as high as seven though and in more bowler-friendly conditions the extra batsman would obviously be the way to go.

I think SA are building a very decent side/squad when/if everyone returns, and if they do return soon they could well be the side to beat for a couple of years.

 

[Dendarii]

From a neutral perspective, the balance of the side will probably be dictated to according to conditions and opposition. I mean that top seven looks very strong - Markram, Elgar, Amla, De Villiers, Du Plessis, Bavuma and De Kock, and against the weaker sides such as Bangladesh you could, as SA did, effectively lose one of those and use a Philander-type bat at seven.

I think the Aussies and India would enjoy the likes of Philander coming in as high as seven though and in more bowler-friendly conditions the extra batsman would obviously be the way to go.

It could also depend on which bowlers are available. If Rabada, Steyn, Philander, and Morkel are all fit then what's lost by having Philander come in at seven is potentially offset by a very potent bowling attack. But if it would be Rabada, Olivier, Phehlukwayo, and Parnell then I thnk the security of an extra batsman against better teams would be what's required.

 

[SeamUp]

India are Newlands, Joburg, Centurion (so no PE or Durban which would suit India most & both highveld venues)

Australia are PE, Durban, Joburg, Newlands (Only 1/2 highveld venue)

I certainly think we may have to begin selecting on conditions and opposition moving forward.

I think a crucial addition to this team has been Maharaj. Balances our attack + lengthens our batting. He can bowl long spells to allow us to play 4 bowlers only in some situations.


PS Would love to see that Bloem pitch used in a test match again. It was nice to see fast bowlers get bounce and carry like that without massive side-ways movement so you had to bend your back at times. Close to perfect.

 

[Woodster]

It could also depend on which bowlers are available. If Rabada, Steyn, Philander, and Morkel are all fit then what's lost by having Philander come in at seven is potentially offset by a very potent bowling attack. But if it would be Rabada, Olivier, Phehlukwayo, and Parnell then I thnk the security of an extra batsman against better teams would be what's required.

Yes absolutely, there are clearly many factors outside of the more obvious ones I mentioned that will dictate the ideal structure of the side but I think the signs are certainly very good for SA, though it may only be a brief period of time that they are clearly the strongest side in the world before the likes of De Villiers, Steyn, Morkel, etc call it a day or are simply shadows of their former selves.

With that in mind it's probably good that the likes of Olivier, Phehlukwayo, Parnell are getting more exposure to Test cricket at this moment in time.

 

[Woodster]

India are Newlands, Joburg, Centurion (so no PE or Durban which would suit India most & both highveld venues)

Australia are PE, Durban, Joburg, Newlands (Only 1/2 highveld venue)

I certainly think we may have to begin selecting on conditions and opposition moving forward.

I think a crucial addition to this team has been Maharaj. Balances our attack + lengthens our batting. He can bowl long spells to allow us to play 4 bowlers only in some situations.


PS Would love to see that Bloem pitch used in a test match again. It was nice to see fast bowlers get bounce and carry like that without massive side-ways movement so you had to bend your back at times. Close to perfect.

That is indeed absolutely key to playing four bowlers, the rest being able to be given to the quikcer bowlers without conceding runs from your spinner and also representing a threat. Maharaj has bowled beautifully in the games I've seen him play, but you'd imagine both India and Australia will recognise this threat and go at Maharaj a little harder in order to unsettle both him and the team plans in general. Will make for a fascinating watch that's for sure.