We take a look at five young seamer all-rounders who are tipped for a promising season.
An all-rounder always has an important role to play in the team and this was emphasised by Ben Stokes at Headingley on Sunday.
His performance displayed passion, determination and the sheer will to succeed and win matches for his country.
READ: SOUTH AFRICA’S BEN STOKES, PLEASE STAND UP
South Africa has had amazing all-rounders in the past, all-rounders who were able to change the game with both bat and ball consistently.
The likes of Jacques Kallis, who many refer to as the greatest cricketer of all time, and Lance Klusener who is currently South Africa’s assistant coach for the tour to India.
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Then there’s the trio of all-rounders who are currently in the Proteas set-up in Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius and Chris Morris.
These guys have been phenomenal for South Africa in the recent past. One would remember Phehlukwayo’s knock of 42 not-out against Australia in 2016 in what was a thrilling match.
South Africa has a few young, promising all-rounders in the domestic arena. We have guys who can become big international stars if given sufficient time to grow, time to figure out their game and mature as cricketers.
Here’s a list of the top five promising all-rounders in the country’s domestic arena:
Wiaan Mulder
Wiaan has burst onto the first-class arena. From captaining the SA U19 side in 2016 to earning 10 ODI caps for the Proteas, he is one of the bright talents to emerge from South Africa’s pipeline. Injuries and lack of game time at a national level have hampered his form. But at just 21 years old he still has plenty of time to prove his worth to the Proteas selectors once again.
Jason Smith
The Cobras all-rounder is an amazing talent. With a first-class bowling average of 24.63 and a batting average of 30.14 including three hundreds to his name, his stats prove his potential. We have seen Smith save the Cape Cobras in a number of matches last season with very crucial half-centuries, also taking important wickets when the team needed him to. This season will be an important one for the 24-year-old.
Dayyaan Galiem
The former SA U19 star was rather quiet last season due to a lack of game time at franchise level. His move to the Titans during the off-season is one that could revitalize his career. He surely will be one all-rounder to look out for this season. At 22 years old, he still has loads of time to grow and mature.
Tian Koekemoer
Tiaan is one serious all-rounder, his stats are just out of this world. After 23 first-class matches, he averages 53 with the bat and 25 with the ball. He has managed to make three centuries and seven fifties in his career so far. The 24-year-old’s career has been hampered by injuries and it will be interesting to see his return in an injury-free campaign.
Marco Jansen
Marco Jansen has had a sensational rise. From playing Khaya Majola Week at the end of the 2018/19 season to representing SA U19, signing with the Knights and being selected for SA Emerging and South Africa A all in just under a year. The tall left-arm seamer and middle-order batsman is undoubtedly one to watch this season.
READ: THE RISE OF MARCO JANSEN
Special mentions:
- Delano Potgieter
- Ruan de Swardt
- Sibonelo Makhanya
Photo: Deryck Foster/BackpagePix