Division 1 Team of the Week | Round 2 | 4-Day Series

We asked Lubabalo Skhosana to compile his Division 1 Team of the Week after Round 2 of the 4-Day Series.

This team could easily be the most controversial team I have ever picked. The Coach’s pick for the week may very well be one that will get a lot of people asking questions. I have also gone for a different combination in terms of selection as well.

1 Sarel Erwee – (163)
A big hundred to set his team up. Nothing more you can ask for from your opener.

2 Pieter Malan – (96 + 117)
PJ, unfortunately, fell 4 runs short of doing a double in the match.

3 T de Zorzi – (129)
One of those guys earmarked as the future of SA Cricket. Tony de Zorzi decided to display why it is that he is considered as one to take SA cricket forward.

4 Pite van Biljon (c) – (127)
Pite just continues to show his class and experience. One of the more consistent batters in the country.

5 Jordan Hermann (wk) – (112)
A youngster fresh from Cubs week and SA U19. Jordan has taken the liking of 4-day cricket with a classy hundred to back up his back-to-back 50s on debut. He has shown his appetite for runs at the U19 level where he was one of the top scorers during Cubs week. He keeps wicket for the side even though he did not keep for the Titans.

6 Patrick Kruger – (192, 3/12 + 1/16)
A man who went to bed thinking he would be sitting next to the boundary only to be told he would be playing just before the game. An all-round performance for him to set up victory for his side.

7 Mihlali Mpongwana – (5/29 + 26)
This week’s coach’s pick is hard-working, Western Province allrounder, Mihlali Mpongwana. Not many may know the name, but Mihlali has come through the ranks of Western Province. A proper captain’s workhorse.

8 Kyle Simmonds – (4 wickets)
Another slightly controversial pick but Kyle comes into a seam heavy team for what he can do. Bowled 45 overs for 3 wickets and only going at just under 2 runs per over which is what you need from your spinner in a seamer heavy side. This side will be playing like the SA side captained by Biff.

9 Marco Jansen – (6/38)
Left-arm variation with a bit of pace to add to the attack is always key.

10 Lutho Sipamla – (6/34 + 1/5)
Lutho tore his former team’s batting lineup apart to lead the Lions to victory.

11 Sisanda Magala – (6/30)
Added a good 34 with the bat in the first innings and then picked up from where Lutho had left off in the first innings as he also tore his former team’s batting line up apart. Lutho and Magala are homegrown Warriors boys.