ALASDAIR’S TEST XI (1992-2002)

To be tasked with selecting a Proteas Test XI fron 1992 to 2002 isn’t much of a problem when you consider the wealth of talent during the post-isolation years preceding the turn of the millennium.

The only downside was the relative lack of genuine Test-match experience, with top-order batsmen failing to get past the 100-plus mark at crucial moments.

The Proteas were still finding their way; but there were several big hundreds in the late-1990s with notable double centuries from Kirsten, Gibbs and Cullinan.

Throughout the decade the Proteas had a strong synergy in their powerful bowling unit, brilliantly utilised by Hansie Cronje who loved unleashing the likes of his childhood friend Allan Donald.

The hallmark of the ’90s attack was the dearth of bowling all-rounders such as Brian McMillan, a fiery Shaun Pollock and a youthful Jacques Kallis cranking it up to 140km.

Paul Adams was a game-changer when South Africa were crying out for a Test spinner in the Warne and Murali era, and with Dave Richardson – a wily wicketkeeper who could bat – behind the stumps, you had the hallmark of a powerful side capable of beating the best on any given day.

1. Kirsten
2. Gibbs
3. Cullinan
4. Cronje (c)
5. Kallis
6. Rhodes
7. McMillan
8. Pollock
9. Richardson
10. Adams
11. Donald

DAN’S TEST XI (2003-2020)

My Proteas Test XI from 2003 onwards will consist of 7 batsmen and a 4-prong seam attack with Maharaj unlucky to miss out.

As it stands my 4 seamers have picked up an incomprehensible 1,169 test wickets between them with Dean Elgar able to provide a few neat overs of slow left-arm orthodox if need be.

At the top of the order, I’ve gone with the two gritty yet highly effective left-handers in Graeme Smith and Dean Elgar. They’re hard workers who don’t give their wicket away easily which is definitely something I look for in a good opening pair.

The flair comes in the middle order in the form of two Proteas legends, namely Hashim Amla and Ab de Villiers. This is where I suspect the bulk of my runs will come from.

5 & 6 were slightly trickier but I felt that Faf du Plessis and Ashwell Prince pipped the likes of Jacques Rudolph, Duminy and Bavuma to round out a very tidy top 6.

With the majority of the work done at this point, nothing will be more demoralizing for the opposition than seeing Quinton de Kock stride to the middle and destroy oppositions. He has matured as a cricketer and possesses the ability to bat for long periods of time with the tail.

1. Smith (c)
2. Elgar
3. Amla
4. De Villiers
5. Du Plessis
6. Prince
7. De Kock (w)
8. Philander
9. Steyn
10. Rabada
11. Ntini