We need to see the Proteas’ next generation of domestic stars in the warm-ups against England, writes Khalid Mohidin.
The Proteas face England in just under a month. What is worrying is that there are major concerns over the squad especially after the humiliating tour to India.
The Proteas are in a transitional phase and are still reeling after retirements to key players in the last decade. The likes of Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and Jacques Kallis, left gaping holes in the side.
Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar and Vernon Philander are the only experienced heads based on age and as a collective, they possess the necessary qualities to motivate and guide our next generation of stars.
Kagiso Rabada and Quinton de Kock, share experience based on matches played, but they are also the bench-mark of the standard of cricket that should be played at this level. Any player that comes into the setup should aspire to perform at the level of Rabada and De Kock.
If the Proteas ever want to reach the heights they desire, they must find the next generation of Test players who can take the challenge to world cricket.
Let me dive into the crux of this column – who should be given a go in the warm-ups against England?
Two games will be played against England. All the Proteas players who played consistently in the MSL deserve a rest, so let’s see some new players selected.
The smart move would be to pick the same sides for both the invitational and SA A games and look for players to add to the Test squad. But it’s unlikely that this will be the probable move by CSA.
From 17-18 December, the South Africa Invitation XI take on England in Benoni. Followed by South Africa A who will take on England from 20-22 December in Benoni.
Aiden Markram should be making his return so I’d select him as captain of the invitational and SA-A side, to get him back to full fitness. If he is out injured, the Proteas will need to find a replacement.
Zubayr Hamza missed out on Mzansi Super League selection and responded with a dominant 183 for Western Province against Northern Cape. He will be fresh for selection and in my opinion is the Proteas’ best No 3. So let’s slot him in his natural position in both the SA invitational and SA-A side.
Raynard van Tonder, fresh off a double century in the 4-Day Franchise Series for the Knights against the Titans, has been opening the batting for his franchise. He has shown his quality over the years for SA U19 but his transition into senior cricket has been flawless. I’d slot him next to Markram. But don’t forget Janneman Malan, Pieter Malan and Edward Moore who have been knocking on the door and could be options to replace Markram if he is not fit. I’ve gone with Van Tonder because he is currently the most in-form right now.
In the No 4 spot, there has been a massive call for Rassie van der Dussen to be selected in the Test side. He has replaced AB de Villiers in the ODI side and there is a consensus he can do the same in the Test side. So let’s slot him in at No 4 in the warm-ups.
At No 5 Faf du Plessis has been a rock. So in the Test line up that’s the captain’s spot. But for the warm-ups let’s give another player who has been solid at domestic level and another fan favourite, Reeza Hendricks, an opportunity. But this can be interchangeable with the No 4 position.
Another conversation surrounding the Test side has been who should fill the gap AB de Villiers has left in the Test side. In world cricket, the No 4 position is occupied by the side’s best batsman. So my suggestion is that Quinton de Kock should drop the gloves and focus on becoming South Africa’s No 1 batsman and occupy the No 4 spot. This means we need a new keeper – and based on the last two-and-a half seasons, Kyle Verreynne has proven to be the best wicket-keeper batsman in the country. So I will slot him in at 6. There has been a call for Rudi Second, but I think for the long term a younger option will gain more out of the experience. Sinethemba Qeshile and Wandile Makwetu should also not be forgotten.
The No 7 spot has been somewhat problematic. There has not been many genuine all-rounders produced at Test level, with Vernon Philander doing an exceptional job in the role. But once he moves on an adequate replacement is key. The top all-rounders at domestic level have been spinner-all-rounders – Bjorn Fortuin, Wihan Lubbe, George Linde and Senuran Muthusamy.
All the seamer all-rounders who stand out are Wiaan Mulder, Delano Potgieter, Jason Smith, Migael Pretorius and Dayyaan Galiem.
More recently SA U19 graduates Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen have proven their worth for the Knights.
And with Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje sealing those speedster positions and Keshav Maharaj that spinner slot for the Proteas, why not give all our all-rounders a chance against England. We do have the likes of Lutho Sipamla doing well at domestic level as a potential back-up medium pacer.
Let’s explore with a squad of 15 for the two games.
Warm-ups vs England squad:
- Aiden Markram (c)
- Raynard van Tonder
- Zubayr Hamza
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Reeza Hendricks
- Kyle Verreynne
- Wiaan Mulder
- Delano Potgieter
- Marco Jansen
- George Linde
- Gerald Coetzee
- Wihan Lubbe
- Dayyaan Galiem
- Jason Smith
- Bjorn Fortuin
Special mentions: Sinethemba Qeshile, Migael Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla, Dane Piedt, Onke Nyaku, Marcus Ackerman, Keegan Petersen, Pieter Malan, Edward Moore, Wandile Makwetu, Khaya Zondo, Neil Brand, David Bedingham, Glenton Stuurman.
We would love to hear your thoughts on a starting XI and squad of XV for the England warm-ups. If we left out any players let us know!
Sound your comments below.
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