South African Domestic Season 2015/16

[StephenZA]

View attachment 22541
While quota selections have not been all bad, the final highlighted what happens to the team balance when it goes wrong

The poor team selection had nothing to do the Mgijima selection, who is an all rounder, so you better put his the bowling stats up with the picture as well... He has also been in the team through out the competition and while he has not been the best, van Zyl did not light the tournament up either. If anything it was the selection of Levi over van Zyl. On a slow pitch with the Lions bowling attack, Levi was not the correct selection. In the end except for Ontong the entire Cobras batting line-up played poorly.

Sorry this is not the correct argument on the pro`s and con`s of quota selections.

 

[Woden]

Selected as an all rounder with a batting average of 10 and bowls how many overs in the final?

 

[StephenZA]

Selected as an all rounder with a batting average of 10 and bowls how many overs in the final?

Oh shucks the Cobras did not bowl there 6th choice bowler, in a match where there opponents achieved the score in the 33rd over (because the entire Cobras batting lineup failed!).....

Understand, I`m not saying that he is the greatest player, I`m saying that you cannot argue this loss is due to quota or his specific selection.

 

[Woden]

I agree, the rest of the batting line up failed to arrive... but the quota selection policy left the team forced to choose between Levy and Van Zyl... Rather than two under performing players in Mgijima and Ramela... the idea of batting depth is exactly for such collapses... Having only 5 batsman was always going to be tricky. Fact is the Cobra's were hamstrung by Quota's while the lions were not as their 3 Black players are Quality and demand selection on ability.

 

[Woden]

In fact on ability Kleinveldt would have been a far more worthy choice as an all-rounder

 

[StephenZA]

I agree, the rest of the batting line up failed to arrive... but the quota selection policy left the team forced to choose between Levy and Van Zyl... Rather than two under performing players in Mgijima and Ramela... the idea of batting depth is exactly for such collapses... Having only 5 batsman was always going to be tricky. Fact is the Cobra's were hamstrung by Quota's while the lions were not as their 3 Black players are Quality and demand selection on ability.

I agree with you here and its a far better argument against the quotas.

In fact on ability Kleinveldt would have been a far more worthy choice as an all-rounder

I feel little sympathy regarding Levi , Kleinveldt and Peterson deciding to go to MLC rather than play in the momentum cup. This may be because of selections regarding quota or just to make some money, but that was there decision. Its once again why I would rather have seen van Zyl in Levi's place.

Regarding players of colour Cobras lost out due to national selection as well here. But they where silly to let Shezi go to the Dolphins... I don't know all the history regarding that. They also have Lizaad Williams in the squad, who is not to bad (maybe he is injured?). I do think it would be good for Cobras to get a little leeway regarding the quota system because they do have a number of "coloured" players in the team..... not that that should make a difference but its the unfortunate reality we live in.

Ultimately though I think that the Lions team were the better team, even when I consider the alternatives largely cause when you look at the Cobras squad without the internationals they look short anyway.

 

[Black_Warrior]

A quick question for the SA fans, not sure where else to pose this.

South Africa would be playing 2 tests this August against New Zealand. Now this is not the usual home season for South Africa. I have seen them play the odd ODI series here and there, but not a test series. So is this the first time they would be playing tests at this time? And how would that turn out? Given it would probably be winter, will that effect the cricket, and more importantly the reception? Cricket in Australia for example is a summer sport and a test match in June or July or August would never work. Will South Africa have the same problem?

 

[Woden]

I would be concerned about getting in a full days play, the weather would be fine, doubt it would impact much on our low test turn outs, but its going to be getting dark earlier than matches in full summer. Perhaps they gonna need a pink ball ;-)

A quick question for the SA fans, not sure where else to pose this.

South Africa would be playing 2 tests this August against New Zealand. Now this is not the usual home season for South Africa. I have seen them play the odd ODI series here and there, but not a test series. So is this the first time they would be playing tests at this time? And how would that turn out? Given it would probably be winter, will that effect the cricket, and more importantly the reception? Cricket in Australia for example is a summer sport and a test match in June or July or August would never work. Will South Africa have the same problem?

 

[StephenZA]

Phangiso's bowling action illegal - SuperSport - Cricket
Phangiso's bowling action found illegal | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

I can`t see them fixing his action in 5 days unless its just to get though testing!

Maybe this will give Eddie Leie another chance!

 

[Stefan9]

Phangiso's bowling action illegal - SuperSport - Cricket
Phangiso's bowling action found illegal | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

I can`t see them fixing his action in 5 days unless its just to get though testing!

Maybe this will give Eddie Leie another chance!

Depends how bad Leie's injured hamstring is. They may need to look at shamsi or maharaj.

 

[Marius]

Depends how bad Leie's injured hamstring is. They may need to look at shamsi or maharaj.

Shamsi is probably ahead of Maharaj in the pecking order I reckon. Maharaj is a better bat though, so that may give him a look-in.

 

[SeamUp]

The exodus continues

Cape Town - English cricket county Surrey have announced the signing of teenage fast bowler Conor McKerr on a three-year contract.

McKerr, 18, has represented South Africa Under-19s but has decided to now forge a career in England as he possesses a British passport.

The 6 foot 6 inch seamer will join the Surrey professional playing staff for pre-season in March.

After signing the deal, McKerr told Surrey’s official website: “I am unbelievably excited about being given the opportunity of playing for an amazing county like Surrey at the Kia Oval. I am really looking forward to it and the challenges it will bring.”

Surrey CCC Director of Cricket, Alec Stewart, added: “I have a number of people around the world whose judgement of a player I trust. When I was made aware of the immense potential of Conor it made good sense to sign him. Following the retirements of Chris Tremlett, Tim Linley and David Balcombe we needed to add to our bowling resources and Conor is a part of this process.”

Dolphins fast bowler Mathew Pillans is set to leave South African shores in the coming weeks to take up a county cricket offer with Surrey.

The 24-year-old has taken 114 First Class wickets in his 31 matches at an average of 23.72 and represented the Dolphins on 10 occasions in ‘red ball’ cricket.

“Mat Pillans has been released from the franchise set-up as he has taken up an offer to go play county cricket,” said Dolphins CEO Pete de Wet.

“He intends to be in the UK within the next two weeks to start his assignment there,” he added.

The young talent has performed admirably for the franchise and KZN Inland’s provincial side since his move down from Pretoria.

“We wish Mat well,” said De Wet. “He has been a good performer for us at the Dolphins and particularly in the provincial side.”

“It is a pity to see him go but he’s got aspirations to play at that level and he felt it was right for his career to make that move.”

For Pillans, the decision wasn’t an easy one after having settled into both the Durban lifestyle and the Dolphins franchise, pinpointing his return of 10-129 against the Knights in 2014/15 as his greatest highlight.

“It has been a really tough decision to make but I have been given a great opportunity that I’m looking forward to,” said Pillans.

“It has been great to have had the chance to work with the senior guys at the Dolphins; playing alongside them and to be around them to listen has really helped me take my game forward.

“I think every player’s dream is to produce your career best performance at the highest level you’ve played at and so to have taken my first, and only, 10 wicket haul for the Dolphins last season was very special.

“I’m going to miss the Durban vibe and all the people but I’m also very, very excited about what my new opportunity holds,” he added.

 

[SeamUp]

The joke about the Klusener thing is that CSA were involving him in their set-up but definite politics involved. Kyle Abbott says he is considering his options now as Klusener was a vital part of his progression to national set-up and the sacking for no real reason has forced his hand to leave the Dolphins. He has given plenty of young talent opportunities but when your senior players let you down time and again what are you supposed to do ? Zondo is now supposedly a senior figure in the set-up and how has he failed to contribute with any regularity ? Also Cody Chetty. How many SA 'A' games has he played ?

Anyways Dolphins squad for the Sunfoil Series starting up this week :

Imraan Khan
Sarel Erwee
Khaya Zondo
Jonathan Vandiar
Daryn Smit
Morne van Wyk
Vaughn van Jaarsveld
Calvin Savage
Andile Phehlukwayo
Keshav Maharaj
Daryn Dupavillon
Craig Alexander
Mthokozisi Shezi

The Sunfoil Dolphins will return to white clothing when their second half of the 2015/16 Sunfoil Series gets underway with a clash against the Warriors in Port Elizabeth starting on Thursday, 3 March.

The Durban outfit has named a 13-man squad not dissimilar to the one that drew to the Cape Cobras in Durban in their final clash of the first half of the competition at the end of January.

Following on from his maiden List A hundred, scored for the Sunfoil Dolphins against The Unlimited Titans in the Momentum One Day Cup, Sarel Erwee put in a maiden First Class three figure performance, notching up 200 not out for KZN Inland against Namibia in the Sunfoil 3-Day Cup.

The left hander will be eager to continue his rich vein of form when he joins the returning Imraan Khan – back from a hamstring injury – at the top of the order.

Another notable inclusion in the squad after his injury layoff during the competition’s opening half is captain Morné van Wyk while Calvin Savage’s re-emergence from injury during the Momentum One Day Cup has paved the way for his return to the mix as well.

While Proteas David Miller and Imran Tahir are not included due to their involvement with the national side’s upcoming T20 series against Australia which kicks off at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban on Friday, 4 March, Mthokozisi Shezi continues his loan arrangement with the East Coast franchise while Jonathan Vandiar is included in the four day setup for the first time this season.

The Sunfoil Dolphins will be keen to put in a strong showing in the Eastern Cape against the bottom of the log Warriors later this week and improve on their fourth place log position as they look to chase down the likes of the VKB Knights, bizhub Highveld Lions and Titans who occupy third, second and first place respectively.

 

[SeamUp]

I agree, the rest of the batting line up failed to arrive... but the quota selection policy left the team forced to choose between Levy and Van Zyl... Rather than two under performing players in Mgijima and Ramela... the idea of batting depth is exactly for such collapses... Having only 5 batsman was always going to be tricky. Fact is the Cobra's were hamstrung by Quota's while the lions were not as their 3 Black players are Quality and demand selection on ability.

Spot on.

The bowling attack picks itself now as I think they have no choice to let Kleinveldt and Robbie P go. But the batting line-up and depth was a joke. No way do you pick that team unless quotas gets involved. Piedt, Hendricks, Paterson, Moreki is a long enough tail to then pick guys like Ramela and Mgijima in your top 6.

Puttick, Levi, van Zyl, Ontong, Vilas, Smith looks a lot more respectable.

Paterson/Hendricks disappointed hugely with the ball. They have ability but not sure enough for the next level and they 26/27 now.

And due to the Lions having the superior 'black' players they were always going to be tough to beat when you saw the Cobras team.

 

[SeamUp]

The VKB Knights squad selected for the Sunfoil 4-Day Domestic Series match against The Unlimited Titans at SuperSport Park, Centurion from 3-6 March 2016:

1. Mbulelo Budaza
2. Werner Coetsee (Captain)
3. Leus Du Plooy
4. Dillon Du Preez
5. Michael Erlank
6. Reeza Hendricks
7. Duanne Olivier
8. Diego Rosier
9. Rudi Second (W/k)
10. Lotli Sesele
11. Malusi Siboto
12. Pite van Biljon
13. Shadley van Schalkwyk

*New name. Was highly rated at Affies. The next best thing after AB,Faf and Kuhn at the school.

 

[SeamUp]

Interesting couple of pieces from cricinfo -

Re: Pillans and Surrey still using Ford for recruitment

He was on a rookie contract with the Dolphins, earning R140,000 a year (US$8,943) and was becoming increasingly "frustrated by the lack of opportunity," said the source. When Graham Ford, who coached Surrey until leaving to take charge of Sri Lanka earlier this year, approached people in South Africa for assistance in finding recruits for the county, Pillans was one of the players recommended to him. Ford was involved in the negotiations between Pillans and Surrey, and he has been released from his Dolphins deal with immediate effect.

On others players potentially leaving

The source warned that more players could be headed to other countries. South Africa's 2014 Under-19 World Cup-winning captain Aiden Markram has been approached by a team in New Zealand although the Titans told ESPNcricinfo they believe they will be able to hold on to him. Corbin Bosch, who played in the 2014 team under Markram, is moving to Australia and Obus Pienaar, another former Under-19 who plays in Bloemfontein, is also considering New Zealand as an option.

When asked if the exodus of players had to do with CSA's transformation targets, the source stayed away from making a direct link but hinted that it could be related. "I don't want to talk about quotas but I'll say that the balance of teams is affecting the opportunities people are getting. There are also other factors like the declining Rand."

2012 SA u19 captain, Chad Bowes, left not even 12 months ago for New Zealand and has already got a couple of games for Canterbury.

 

[Marius]

What about Ryan Rickleton? I believe he was thinking about moving to NZ too?

I personally don't blame these guys. You're being kept out of teams on race, it's ridiculous.

Two guys at my club also left to go play overseas, one to Ireland, one to NZ.

 

[brockley]

What happened to Shaun Von Berg?

 

[SeamUp]

What about Ryan Rickleton? I believe he was thinking about moving to NZ too?

I personally don't blame these guys. You're being kept out of teams on race, it's ridiculous.

Two guys at my club also left to go play overseas, one to Ireland, one to NZ.

No doubt going to be plenty more Marius.

The concern is that the youth are leaving right out of school. There was another, Brad Wheal, who left about a year ago for Hampshire academy and already got his debut for Hampshire and played for Scotland.

 

[SeamUp]

What happened to Shaun Von Berg?

He got an injury early in the season and has struggled to find his way back since. More of a longer version bowler so we will see if he knocks out the ever improving Tabraiz Shamsi. May be difficult.