The omission of Kyle Verreynne from the South Africa A and South Africa Emerging side is baffling, writes Khalid Mohidin.
South Africa domestic Newcomer of the Year for the 2017-18 season; 583 runs at an average of 44.84 in the 4-Day Franchise Series and as a wicketkeeper the most dismissals with 33 in the 2018-19 season. The second-highest scorer in the One-Day Cup with 453 runs at an average of 64.71 and as wicketkeeper the third-most dismissals with 9 in the 2018-19 season. But no call-up for the exciting Cobras wicketkeeper-batsman.
The 22-year-old is now more than just a rising star for his franchise, he is one of their key players and possibly one of their most mature players despite his age.
KHALID MOHIDIN COLUMN: CSA MUST PRIORITISE VISION 2023
What makes him special is not only that he is a prolific batsman who can bat anywhere in the middle order, he also has the mental toughness and work ethic that makes him a crucial asset to have in any side.
He also has the inherent ability to stand up in pressure situations. His century against the Knights in the One-Day Cup, in particular, was an innings which showcased all his stand-out attributes.
With his side down three for 15 after 3.5 overs, the youngster stepped up and scored an unbeaten 114 to take his side to a three-wicket win. Not only did he anchor his side’s innings but he scored at a strike rate of 95.79 which included 12 fours.
He also dug his side out regularly in the 4-Day Franchise series and showed similar traits in the Mzansi Super League season for the Cape Town Blitz.
Given his consistently high-level performances, it was a surprise to see his name absent from the SA A and SA emerging squad.
From a wicketkeeping point of view, Verreynne is technically gifted and extremely reliable. His movement behind the stumps, reflexes when standing up to the wicket and ability to utilise the dive as a last resort, makes him perfect for the longest format as well as the 50-over game. There is no doubt that he is one of the best, if not the best, wicketkeeper at domestic level in South Africa.
As a batsman, he has the natural ability to anchor an innings as well to seamlessly shift between the gears by either finding the gap or rotating the strike. These are incredibly handy attributes to have. He also has the ability to spike his strike rate with silky risk-free shot selection.
The Proteas need a player like Verreynne in their middle order and it’s baffling how he has not been given the chance to prove his worth.
SA ‘A’ four-day squad: Aiden Markram (Titans, captain), Temba Bavuma (Highveld Lions), Theunis de Bruyn (Titans), Zubayr Hamza (Cape Cobras), Beuran Hendricks (Highveld Lions), George Linde (Cape Cobras), Pieter Malan (Cape Cobras), Eddie Moore (Warriors), Wiaan Mulder (Highveld Lions), Senuran Muthusamy (Dolphins), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Dane Piedt (Cape Cobras), Rudi Second (Warriors), Lutho Sipamla (Warriors), Khaya Zondo (Dolphins)
SA ‘A’ one-day squad: Temba Bavuma (Highveld Lions, captain), Matthew Breetzke (Warriors), Gihahn Cloete (Warriors), Junior Dala (Titans), Theunis de Bruyn (Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (Highveld Lions), Beuran Hendricks (Highveld Lions), Reeza Hendricks (Highveld Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Titans), George Linde (Cape Cobras), Janneman Malan (Cape Cobras), Wiaan Mulder (Highveld Lions), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Sinethemba Qeshile (Warriors), Lutho Sipamla (Warriors)
Photo: Cape Cobras/Twitter
