South Africa team selection

[SeamUp]

I think both Markram and Reeza goes and one spot goes to mulder/morris or pretorius. Personally I rather take mulder but we will see. Don't think we need 3 bowling all rounders, two is more then sufficient.

Pretty sure Morris goes especially with the fact we going in with 3 strike bowlers in the first place. He covers so many options.

Dwaine Pretorius doesn't even deserve to be in the debate as far as I'm concerned.

We know Mulder's situation too. Right now he isn't ready for the role SA want from him and to be honest I don't think he is the type either.

 

[Prince EWS]

The type of player Pretorius is would be ideal if he was actually good enough - and he's shown he might be in the past domestically (even if not recently) - so I can see why they're giving him extra opportunities to show that even though he had a horrible season. If he strung together some performances for South Africa before the World Cup I'd pick him tbh, but obviously he needs to actually do that. If he wasn't given this opportunity he'd have no right to complain but I can definitely see why they're interested in giving it to him.

Mulder might score three tons batting four at the following World Cup but he shouldn't be considered for the role on offer in this one IMO.

Someone mentioned a few posts ago that they weren't entirely convinced Klaasen was guaranteed, but I think that ignores that he'd be the backup keeper too. Even if he found himself outside the best eleven I think he'd be reserve batsman just because of that. I don't think anyone else in contention has kept in pro cricket.

 

[GRAB]

I've seen Pretorius at his best in franchise cricket. Around 130, impeccable length, 4th stump line, wobbly seam. If he can bowl that in England it could be very useful, unless the ICC has set it up that we're playing on pancakes again instead of pitches...

 

[Bahseph]

Great point on Pretorius. But you feel that if you want those skills you can just pick Big Vern.

 

[SeamUp]

Great point on Pretorius. But you feel that if you want those skills you can just pick Big Vern.

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

 

[Rasimione]

I'm guessing they'll go for Morris. He's got everything they need in the lower order. I'm also surprised that Shamsi is classified as a lock in. Two Spinners in English conditions seems like overkill.

 

[Dendarii]

I'm also surprised that Shamsi is classified as a lock in. Two Spinners in English conditions seems like overkill.

Not for a squad. They might only ever play one spinner, but they would need a second spinner there as backup in case of injury.

 

[SeamUp]

Shamsi is the next best strike-bowling spinner for the format in the middle overs when at his best. Shamsi himself needs to push himself to the next level though to make it more clear cut.

If we didn't have this ability to work with I would consider not taking a 2nd spinner but we also got to think that Shamsi has to take over from Imran sometime post WC.

 

[StephenZA]

So think the final squad will be:

Team:
Amla
QDK
Markram
Faf
Duminy
Miller
Andile
Rabada
Steyn
Ngidi
Tahir

Reeza
Klaasens
Morris
Shamsi

 

[Dendarii]

So think the final squad will be:

Team:
Amla
QDK
Markram
Faf
Duminy
Miller
Andile
Rabada
Steyn
Ngidi
Tahir

Reeza
Klaasens
Morris
Shamsi

I think it's going to be Pretorius rather than Hendricks. The balance of the squad in Australia is probably going to be the same as the balance for the World Cup, which would mean Amla and Duminy coming in for Hendricks and Behardien.

And looking at how the four extra players in the squad provide cover - obviously Shamsi would come in for Tahir, Morris for Steyn/Rabada/Ngidi, and Klaasen for a middle-order bat. If Amla or De Kock are injured then Hendricks could come in if he's in the squad, but it's also possible for everybody to shift up one position, with Markeam opening and Klaasen slotting in the middle somewhere.

The one question is who comes in for Phehlukwayo. Would it be Morris, or could it be Pretorius who is perhaps more of a like for like replacement and offers a bit more variety than Steyn/Rabada/Ngidi/Morris.

Having Pretorius there also means that there's cover in the event that two batsmen or two bowlers dropping out. Granted, it's not ideal to have him come in for either scenario, but it does mean that the bases are perhaps better covered with having him in the squad rather than Hendricks.

 

[StephenZA]

I`m not sure how keen I am on having Duminy Miller Klaasens, 4-6. And is Pretorius a big hitter? It's the advantage Andile/Morris have ability to clear ropes later. (They are really no 8s.) I think they are trying to create a very stable top order with Amla, Markram Faf. With a boundary clearer at 6. Duminy has the ability to fill both roles (kinda). QDK get us off to a good start, provided he starts scoring runs again. And the best big hitting no 7 we can afford. Because if we really want to go for Pretorius, then I would rather pick Mulder if fit.

 

[SeamUp]

Guys, I'm putting it out there. Imagine we still had AB. Covers keeper too.

 

[StephenZA]

Guys, I'm putting it out there. Imagine we still had AB. Covers keeper too.

We all have dreams and hopes..... but unfortunately I stopped playing the lottery.

 

[SeamUp]

we all have dreams and hopes..... But unfortunately i stopped playing the lottery.

AB still gets abuse about it on twitter.

 

[StephenZA]

So after much debate, discussion, and testing players it seems that 6/7 continue to be problem, which we all know. Neither Miller or Klaasens helping us finish off games. And we still don't have a number 7 of high enough quality in the batting department that offers enough in the bowling. Maybe we just have to accept that the players are not there at the moment.

I personally still want to play Mulder at 7, but that enhances our problem at 6 not finishing off games because Mulder is really a top 5 bat.




Or maybe we just play Frylinck!!

 

[Dendarii]

The problem with Mulder is that his bowling isn't good enough in the shorter form of the game. He could end up developing into a good limited overs cricketer, but I don't think he'll do it in time for this World Cup.

I have said on this thread that Frylinck is worth considering, and even though he hasn't played an ODI for ages, I'd say Philander is too.

 

[StephenZA]

The problem with Mulder is that his bowling isn't good enough in the shorter form of the game. He could end up developing into a good limited overs cricketer, but I don't think he'll do it in time for this World Cup.

I have said on this thread that Frylinck is worth considering, and even though he hasn't played an ODI for ages, I'd say Philander is too.

Philanders hitting ability is limited for the position is the only downside for him. Frylinck has great variation and is an experienced LO campaigner who can clear the boundary at the end of an innings. They are obviously considering him, but I am not sure that is the way they want to go. I have to admit I would not want to be a selector over this one.

 

[SeamUp]

#Depressing101

It seems what ever way we go we weaken the other side of the balance. Let us find a Kallis/McMillan/Klusener/Pollock please ! I honestly don't know what route to take for that #7 position.

Think it all boils down the our batsmen scoring the majority of the runs in that top 5 for me.

 

[StephenZA]

Think it all boils down the our batsmen scoring the majority of the runs in that top 5 for me.

This. Ultimately your top 6 must do the job; yes it would be lovely that we bat down to 8/9 like the old days but it just is not our forte right now. If our top 6 get into trouble then we have to hope our strong bowling attack get us home.

 

[Dendarii]

Think it all boils down the our batsmen scoring the majority of the runs in that top 5 for me.

Exactly. We're gambling with stacking the bowling because an attack of Steyn/Rabada/Ngidi/Tahir is going to have teams in trouble more often than not. But that strategy requires that the batsmen come to the party, which isn't quite happening at the moment, and our hopes do rest on Amla and Duminy performing where the less experienced batsmen are currently failing.