England tour to South Africa December 2015/February 2016

[stefan]

Duminy getting runs at first class level shows nothing tbh. He always does when he gets dropped , makes tons in first class level but has showed over and over again that he isn't good enough at test level.

 

[Markkkkk]

Duminy getting runs at first class level shows nothing tbh. He always does when he gets dropped , makes tons in first class level but has showed over and over again that he isn't good enough at test level.

But he's still better then Bavma...

 

[stefan]

But he's still better then Bavma...

Not based on the last year he isn't...Not 100% convinced bavuma should be the guy but I am 100% convinced it shouldn't be duminy, he has had countless chances and its time to move on.

 

[Markkkkk]

Not based on the last year he isn't...Not 100% convinced bavuma should be the guy but I am 100% convinced it shouldn't be duminy, he has had countless chances and its time to move on.

Yea he isnt the guy but I want him to do well as I'd rather have him then Bavuma (not many quota batsmen so he's the best of a bad bunch) and I like him, seems like a nice guy so wouldnt mind him doing well but Rossouw, Cook, De Bruyn etc. are ten times better...

 

[stefan]

The convener on the Stephen Cook issue:

Zondi: Cook is not forgotten
January 8, 2016
138 4

Stephen Cook


Despite picking an unchanged squad for the final two Tests, convener of selectors Linda Zondi says Stephen Cook remains part of their plans.

However, they want to give Stiaan van Zyl a fair chance to prove himself.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced an unchanged squad for the Tests at the Wanderers and Centurion, much to the dismay of cricket supporters who want to see Cook get a chance at the top of the order.

Zondi told SACricketmag.com it wasn’t an easy decision to keep the squad unchanged.

‘Stephen Cook is very close in our thinking, but we want to give Stiaan a run and back him, especially at the Wanderers. South Africa have only batted three innings in the series so far,’ hinting that the India tour isn’t really a factor, because all the batsmen struggled there.

Cook (33) has been one of the standout batsmen in domestic cricket over the last year or so and seems an obvious choice at the top of the order, but he’ll have to wait his turn, just like Van Zyl did before he first got picked.

‘It’s a very nice problem to have,’ Zondi said. ‘It shows our franchise cricket is strong.’

He did not, however, discount the possibility that a player from outside the squad could be called up for the final Test if the selectors deemed it necessary.

‘Absolutely. Announcing an unchanged squad doesn’t stop us from doing that and bringing someone in for Centurion, but it is very important to give stability to the team.

‘I understand the frustration that has been aired on social media. All the players we are looking at are part of the South African A squad so Cook is definitely in our plans. His age is not a concern. If a player is good enough his age doesn’t matter.’

Zondi said it was a concern that Hashim Amla is coming in too early on a regular basis. He also said there was a big gap between domestic and SA A cricket and SA A cricket and international cricket.

Zondi was asked to clarify who picks the starting XI for any particular match. It is well known that the selection panel selects the squad, but who has the final say on the team that plays?

‘The final XI is picked by the coach and the convener of selectors, which is me, but if I am not available then one of the other members of the panel will be involved. For example, Ashwell Prince was our representative for the New Year’s Test because he is based in Cape Town.

‘The captain’s input is always taken into consideration and 99% of the time they usually get the team they want, so we always speak to them to find out what their thoughts and needs are for a specific game.’

Zondi said while there is an established pecking order in place when new players are considered, there is flexibility within that order.

That is why, for example, Hardus Viljoen was called up to the squad for the second Test instead of Marchant de Lange, who was the back-up bowler for the India tour.

In terms of selection for the third Test, Zondi admitted there was a temptation to play four seamers, but that depended on the input of the new captain, AB de Villiers, and the track record of the Wanderers over the last few years.

- See more at: Zondi: Stephen Cook is not forgotten

Zondi: Stephen Cook is not forgotten

 

[Markkkkk]

BUT THEY DROPPED VILAS AFTER THE INDIAN SERIES (Sorry for caps) its such a piss poor excuse, no no we want van Zyl to have a run but we'll drop Vilas and Duminy and anyone who doesnt average 100 but no van Zyl deserves to prove himself...

 

[bigred]

Interesting to hear Chris Woakes' views on Amla standing down. Reckons that none of the England boys were surprised that he quit given that AB was basically leading the team in the field anyway. Never a good thing when the captain isn't the most commonly heard person on the field. Particularly in terms of instructing the team.

 

[stefan]

BUT THEY DROPPED VILAS AFTER THE INDIAN SERIES (Sorry for caps) its such a piss poor excuse, no no we want van Zyl to have a run but we'll drop Vilas and Duminy and anyone who doesnt average 100 but no van Zyl deserves to prove himself...

Regarding van zyl vs duminy. Van zyl as dreadfull as he has been has still been better then duminy. Duminy average 14.44 in the last year, van zyl 17.77, van zyl's support will also bring up duminy always played in his preferred middle order role compared to van zyl having to open.

Still feel dropping vilas was the right call as he was poor with keeping and with the bat. But we disagree on the keeper as we know ;P

 

[MUFC1987]

Interesting to hear Chris Woakes' views on Amla standing down. Reckons that none of the England boys were surprised that he quit given that AB was basically leading the team in the field anyway. Never a good thing when the captain isn't the most commonly heard person on the field. Particularly in terms of instructing the team.

I don't know much about it, but it seems like Amla never wanted the job, whereas de Villiers really did want it. Therefore, in theory they're got where they should have been all along. So it's probably for the best. Amla obviously didn't enjoy it, so it makes sense.

 

[cricket_icon]

I don't know much about it, but it seems like Amla never wanted the job, whereas de Villiers really did want it. Therefore, in theory they're got where they should have been all along. So it's probably for the best. Amla obviously didn't enjoy it, so it makes sense.

Sounds about right.

I hope Amla can now just get on with the batting, the weather holds up and we get another even test match because the second test showed a good come back from SA, although they looked beaten in the field. Amla and Bavuma showed some balls.

 

[bigred]

Sounds about right.

I hope Amla can now just get on with the batting, the weather holds up and we get another even test match because the second test showed a good come back from SA, although they looked beaten in the field. Amla and Bavuma showed some balls.

It's probably a bit far out, but the forecast for the week looks a bit dodgy. Could be a couple of thunderstorms early in the match.

 

[stefan]

It's probably a bit far out, but the forecast for the week looks a bit dodgy. Could be a couple of thunderstorms early in the match.

Doesn't mean it will actually affect the match though. Hopefully the thunderstorms behave themselves as they have this week and they only hit during the evening. In any case if its just thunderstorm we won't have much of an interruption, they are generally short and sharp. Wanderers and Centurion are wonderfully draining grounds due to the altitude.

Its only really a problem if its a rain storm not a thunderstorm.

 

[cricket_icon]

It's probably a bit far out, but the forecast for the week looks a bit dodgy. Could be a couple of thunderstorms early in the match.

Oh FFS, cricket in SA is spoiled way too often due to rain

 

[RUDI]

Steyn unable to play in 3rd Test due to shoulder injury. Viljoen might get the call - up.

 

[stefan]

Steyn unable to play in 3rd Test due to shoulder injury. Viljoen might get the call - up.

Doudt it. if they go with 4 seamers abbot will get the call.