South Africa team selection

[StephenZA]

Sri Lanka schedule released this morning. Only two ****ing tests !

Sri Lanka tour itinerary:

July 4: SA arrive in Sri Lanka
July 7-8: Two-day practice match, P Sara Stadium, Colombo
July 12-16: 1st Test match, Galle
July 20-24: 2nd Test match, Colombo
July 26: One-day warm-up match, venue to be confirmed
July 29: 1st ODI, Dambulla (day match)
August 1: 2nd ODI, Dambulla (d/n)
August 5: 3rd ODI, Kandy (day match)
August 8: 4th ODI, Kandy (d/n)
August 12: 5th ODI, Colombo (d/n)
August 14: T20 International, Colombo (d/n)

WTF..... stupid, stupid. Is it really so difficult to have an ODI or 2 less and a 3 Test series.... and what is the point of the single T20 match.

 

[Bolo]

So, how many ODIs do you think we can schedule before they will complain?
I dunno, 6?
No, no that will look strange. We'll do 6 anyway and call one a warmup game, even though the players have been there for weeks.

3 games max for any format in minor series. Not gonna complain about the obvious- they play 3 when they tour

 

[StephenZA]

It is one of the most silly chicken and egg thoughts I see going about... rightly/wrongly.... people complain that Tests matches are losing significance for the general public? So the 'powers that be' decide to make them less significant rather than actually creating excitement around tests and proper series. While the LO's stuff gets over exposed to the point of boredom. Just stupid, stupid.

 

[SeamUp]

We playing Sri Lanka and Pakistan at home in tests next summer. I expect nothing less than 3 tests each. If one of the series are less then I think CSA is to blame big time.

I do wonder if SLC feel they don't need more than two tests and we just weakly give in.

 

[SeamUp]

So, who'll be the second spinner to go to Sri Lanka?

Shamsi, Von Berg, Muthusamy, Piedt?

von Berg was picked for the 'A' team as the front-line spinner. von Berg was also picked over Shamsi in the last 4-day game of the season for the Titans.

So probably him but I wouldn't put my house on it.

 

[DriveClub]

I'm sure its financial, SL would probably lose money hosting tests against non big 3 teams. They also don't have a domestic t20 to make money and facilitate test cricket. They probably get better broadcasting deals for shorter formats.

 

[Marius]

I'm sure its financial, SL would probably lose money hosting tests against non big 3 teams. They also don't have a domestic t20 to make money and facilitate test cricket. They probably get better broadcasting deals for shorter formats.

According to Cricinfo they only make money when they host the Big Three and Pakistan.

 

[Bolo]

Ya, I think they have preferred to do 2 for years when we tour but sometimes do 3. They always do three when they tour. Not my 1st choice, but they are compromising and we shouldnt dictate every tour 5 1/2 ODIs on any tour is an abomination, even though I like ODIs

 

[Marius]

Interesting stat I saw on Twitter - batsmen with the most runs in the last four seasons of franchise cricket.

 

[Heboric]

I know I am clutching at straws here, but we do need the practice for ODI's. Granted conditions in Sri Lanka are way different to England

 

[SeamUp]

Positive or not guys ?

Faf unsure of post-2019 future as exodus looms

https://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Proteas/faf-unsure-of-post-2019-future-as-exodus-looms-20180404

Controversies aside, this has been a superb home summer for the Proteas.

Under new coach Ottis Gibson, Faf du Plessis and his men secured a 2-1 Test series win over India before beating Australia in a home Test series for the first time since 1970.

On Tuesday at the Wanderers, South Africa wrapped up the series 3-1 with a thumping 421-run win in the fourth Test.

Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the series, from a South African point of view, is that everybody contributed.

Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram look a settled and well-drilled opening pair. They scored three centuries between them - Markram two and Elgar one - and they look set to open the batting together for a long time.

Hashim Amla may have had a poor series by his standards, but he still chipped in with a valuable half-century in Cape Town that went a long way towards giving the hosts the ascendency in that match.

AB de Villiers was superb throughout, while Faf du Plessis and Temba Bavuma made big scores in Johannesburg.

Quinton de Kock, meanwhile, seemed to regain some touch with the bat but it is his wicketkeeping that has been particularly impressive. His catch down the leg side standing up to Vernon Philander at the Wanderers was exceptional.

In the bowling department, everyone has thrived. Kagiso Rabada, Philander, Morne Morkel, Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi all delivered.

Morkel has obviously retired, but there is still a feeling of this being an incredibly settled unit.

Unfortunately, South Africa will not play Test cricket again until mid-July when they travel to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series.

After that, they play just one Test against Zimbabwe, three against Pakistan and three more against Sri Lanka before the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

With several big-name players expected to leave the national set-up after the 2019 World Cup, this could have been the last time to see the likes of Amla, De Villiers, Du Plessis and Philander taking on one of the giant Test nations.

Post-2019, new talent will have to be unearthed.

Du Plessis is fully aware of that, but he has not decided anything in terms of his own future or how the Proteas can avoid a mass exodus after 2019.

"I think it's something that we can only decide in time," he said.

"There has been a lot of talk about 2019 and the World Cup, but the last year has moved so quickly and now we're a year away from the World Cup.

"All of us are in a similar boat where we're just taking it series by series and if the hunger is still there, from my perspective, I'll try and push for as long as I can."

While the future is uncertain, this South African Test side is in a healthier state now than it has been for a long time.

"Everyone stood up," Du Plessis said after the fourth Test.

"For Aiden in his first big series, I remember coming out to bat with him in Durban and there was a lot of chirp that he only scores runs against the small nations. He’s looking pretty good after this series.

"Even before this series I knew he was special.

"There is big depth to our squad now. We are losing a big player in Morne but I do feel there are guys who can step up."

"This, as a whole, is the most complete we have been in a series."

 

[SeamUp]

That all-rounder debate

https://m.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Proteas/why-proteas-still-seek-that-test-all-rounder-20180405

 

[StephenZA]

Kagiso_Rabada_injury_update

3 months of forced rehabilitation.... not a bad thing, I really hopes he avoids the T20 stuff for awhile.

 

[SeamUp]

Kagiso_Rabada_injury_update

3 months of forced rehabilitation.... not a bad thing, I really hopes he avoids the T20 stuff for awhile.

Back in time for Sri Lanka

It's not our concern but hope Cummins can make it through IPL now

 

[Stefan9]

What's the situation with Faf's finger? Fit to play IPL?

IPL must be hating this test series they lost a lot of their star foreign contingent.

 

[StephenZA]

What's the situation with Faf's finger? Fit to play IPL?

IPL must be hating this test series they lost a lot of their star foreign contingent.

My heart bleeds for the poor poor IPL and its fans....

 

[Borges]

IPL must be hating this test series they lost a lot of their star foreign contingent.

IPL has perfected the art of make believe; even if they lose their entire star contingent, they would manufacture even bigger stars to replace them.
Their production line is a never ending one.

Missing stars? Warner, yes. Starc, yes. As far as IPL is concerned, the rest of them can go jump into the Arabian sea, and still not be missed.

 

[Heboric]

Positive or not guys ?

Faf unsure of post-2019 future as exodus looms

https://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Proteas/faf-unsure-of-post-2019-future-as-exodus-looms-20180404

I am assuming this is going to be the likely scenario

but

If the Proteas win this damn World Cup (I can dream cant I ), the senior players will be on such a high that maybe they could extend their test career (they wouldnt need to play ODI's ). So CSA could then use the ODI's to bring in new players to fill the vacated positions.

 

[SeamUp]

I am assuming this is going to be the likely scenario

but

If the Proteas win this damn World Cup (I can dream cant I ), the senior players will be on such a high that maybe they could extend their test career (they wouldnt need to play ODI's ). So CSA could then use the ODI's to bring in new players to fill the vacated positions.

Hope so Heboric.

I've been thinking on this for a while. Vern and Dale may be different.

We probably talking Amla, AB, Faf here but surely they would have to say their goodbyes on home soil. So either they retire from tests after next summer or not with the WC in England.

It might be me wanting an answer but it will probably come down to their bodies keeping up and their emotional state after the WC like you say.

 

[R!TTER]

I am assuming this is going to be the likely scenario

but

If the Proteas win this damn World Cup (I can dream cant I ), the senior players will be on such a high that maybe they could extend their test career (they wouldnt need to play ODI's ). So CSA could then use the ODI's to bring in new players to fill the vacated positions.

For the sake of AB & Steyn, certified ATG, I wish they do pull it off. No other duo in WC deserves it more than these two, can AB do an SRT on his last lap

Heart says SA, head India