Cricket......

[Shebeen]

big call - AB to keep wicket against england.

 

I don't like AB with the gloves, but it's only for the first 2 tests - so can be changed. other options:

Vilas - hasn't taken his opportunity both with bat and gloves, and despite it being rof conditions he needed to shine. He had the same horrendous return as Faf actually (60 runs from 7 innings).

QdK - He could well be the eventual keeper, he's probably still paying for a really lean world cup - his time will come. As an opener he could fill that gap as well. He is becoming far too much of a T20/ODI player, but having him in the test side does open up options.

 

I'm not sure who would be next in the pecking order.

 

http://www.espncricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/228700/228741.jpg

[Mntboy]

big call - AB to keep wicket against england.

 

I don't like AB with the gloves, but it's only for the first 2 tests - so can be changed. other options:

Vilas - hasn't taken his opportunity both with bat and gloves, and despite it being rof conditions he needed to shine. He had the same horrendous return as Faf actually (60 runs from 7 innings).

QdK - He could well be the eventual keeper, he's probably still paying for a really lean world cup - his time will come. As an opener he could fill that gap as well. He is becoming far too much of a T20/ODI player, but having him in the test side does open up options.

 

I'm not sure who would be next in the pecking order.

 

http://www.espncricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/228700/228741.jpg

My guess is that the first test XI may look like this:

 

Elgar

Bavuma

Du Plessis

Hash

AB

Rossouw

JP

Steyn

Abbott

Morkel

Piedt/Rabada - depending on the actual pitch.

 

Not sure I like this idea of AB taking the gloves as it has lead to injury in the past. Not sure we can afford to lose our only in form batsman.

 

Bowling should improve with the presence of Steyn.

 

The other question that needs asking is whether we really want JP to continue trying to be an all rounder? I felt that his bowling was shown up by the Indians and that even Elgar did better with the ball than JP. Would love to see him concentrate on his batting as I feel he can deliver on what he has shown to be his level of ability.

[Christie]

Elgar and Van Zyl will still open, Bavuma will bat in the middle order, as I understand.

I dont know where the policy started to select talented young players as openers, but that is a difficult spot to start in. Why not select openers to open?

 

JP should be dropped imo, he has had enough opportunities, but cannot hold his place with either bat or ball.

QdK have done enough to be re selected, more so than Elgar, Van Zyl, JP or Rilee.

It is also time to change the captaincy. It has put Amla in the biggest slump of his career, clearly it does not suit him (it even affects his fielding). We need Amla the batsmen more than Amla the captain, it is time for him to step down - I favour Faf to captain the side, he is the best of the 3 in the leadership role.

 

The above would probably wreck the quotas, I guess.

 

Lastly, AB should not keep. Why mess with the only senior player in form, adding more load to his already heavy burden?

Edited December 25, 2015 by Christie

[Mntboy]

It seems that the writers at SA Cricket mag think that the following is the most likely team to face England in Durban for the Boxing day test:

 

Elgar

Van Zyl

Amla ©

De Villiers (wk)

Du Plessis

Bavuma

Duminy

Abbott

Steyn

Rabada

Morkel

 

Batsmen need to step up with both Van Zyl and Duminy being told to perform or face the chopping block. If that should happen I:d be happy for Cook and Rossouw to be given a run.

[GLuvsMtb]

It seems that the writers at SA Cricket mag think that the following is the most likely team to face England in Durban for the Boxing day test:

 

Elgar

Van Zyl

Amla ©

De Villiers (wk)

Du Plessis

Bavuma

Duminy

Abbott

Steyn

Rabada

Morkel

 

Batsmen need to step up with both Van Zyl and Duminy being told to perform or face the chopping block. If that should happen I:d be happy for Cook and Rossouw to be given a run.

I also think QdK did enough to get another crack at it.

[Mntboy]

I also think QdK did enough to get another crack at it.

Ja I kinda feel both QdK and Vilas got a raw deal from the selection committee. Making our team batting heavy and giving AB the gloves is not good and a knee jerk reaction to the failings of India. Our batsmen, in particular two seniors in Hash and Faf suddenly losing form had the juniors in a spin and combined with suspect pitches in the first three tests their confidence has been badly eroded. Hopefully though they can turn things around from boxing day on.

[Shebeen]

Who's bright idea was it to have the match in Durban again?!

 

Actually the dumb thing is the 10:30 start, bad light always an issue later in the day

[Stretch]

Who's bright idea was it to have the match in Durban again?!

 

Actually the dumb thing is the 10:30 start, bad light always an issue later in the day

Because boxing day test at Durban is a tradition

[GLuvsMtb]

Because boxing day test at Durban is a tradition

I am all for tradition, but with shortened test series these days extended rain interruptions does not do the encounter justice. Why not start at 9am and give yourself potentially 90extra minutes if required?

[Stretch]

I am all for tradition, but with shortened test series these days extended rain interruptions does not do the encounter justice. Why not start at 9am and give yourself potentially 90extra minutes if required?

Agreed..... At least the sun is shining in Durban today.... Little bit of cloud.. But that looks like it might burn off

[Stretch]

As I speak the wind comes in and brings more clouds!

[Starvin' Marvin]

Who's bright idea was it to have the match in Durban again?!

 

Actually the dumb thing is the 10:30 start, bad light always an issue later in the day

If I'm not mistaken it should have started at 09:30 but was delayed due to rain.

[leeubok]

Sheez our batsmen are in poor form!! Van zyl is NOT an opener! Hash is in a terrible dip and it affects his captaincy too. He shouldn't be captain in the first place. Faf should be dropped and qdk brought in to open and keep. If duminy doesn't perform he has to go too

[GLuvsMtb]

In my books we had a reasonable day. Van Zyl looks a bit out of his depth and Hash and Faf both are not balancing well or timing it at all. AB is doing the right thing in playing positive. I suspect that Faf and van Zyl have only the second innings left to nail down a place in the side.

 

If these 2 are to be dropped, I'd like to see a specialist opener like Puttick get the nod, and QdK in at 6, coming off a good 100 in the current Sunfoil match.

Elgar is probably playing a definitive knock for a more permanent tenure as opener. Morkel and Steyn bowled better than Broad and co. Hopefully we can make the most of day 3 and try and get a good 70 or 80 lead. The first session tomorrow is going to be crucial.

[L.T.G]

You need to join on a VG ride Uni...

[Shebeen]

In my books we had a reasonable day. Van Zyl looks a bit out of his depth and Hash and Faf both are not balancing well or timing it at all. AB is doing the right thing in playing positive. I suspect that Faf and van Zyl have only the second innings left to nail down a place in the side.

 

If these 2 are to be dropped, I'd like to see a specialist opener like Puttick get the nod, and QdK in at 6, coming off a good 100 in the current Sunfoil match.

Elgar is probably playing a definitive knock for a more permanent tenure as opener. Morkel and Steyn bowled better than Broad and co. Hopefully we can make the most of day 3 and try and get a good 70 or 80 lead. The first session tomorrow is going to be crucial.

I agree with all of that, very disappointed to see van zyl has not taken his opportunity after several seasons of knocking on the door. Saw a stat that Elgar has now only scored the second 50by a sa opener this year. Puttick must be one of the better players around not to have been given the chance at national honours.

 

BUT, this is back to back tests with a limited amount of options. Rilee rossouw and rabada on the bench. Nothing drastic before wanderers, and we could be 2-0 up by then and have forgotten these obvious weaknesses