How to replace Kallis in SA's Test side?

[sifter132]

Saw this article over at Cricinfo, and it raises quite an interesting set of issues for the SA Test side:
South Africa seek to fill Kallis-sized hole | Cricinfo Magazine | ESPN Cricinfo (Hopefully I'm not missing an in-depth discussion of this issue already...)

Broadly speaking the options as outlined are thus:
*Bring in an extra batsman, and rely more on Duminy's off-spin as your 5th bowling option?
*Bring in a bowling all-rounder and rely on Peterson/Philander to make consistent lower order runs?
*Bring in a keeper, and allow ABDV to play as specalist batsman?

So lets hear it, how would you fill the gap left by Kallis in the SA Test side?

 

[asprin]

I think the second option seems to be the most convenient way to go. SA already have the most potent attack in the world in Styen, Philander, and Morkel. A bowling allrounder would do just what Kallis used to do - give the bowlers a break after their short bursts of spell. Then there would also be the batting skills that would come as bonus (though not as big as Kallis').

 

[sifter132]

Added a poll to make the thread super-exciting!!

 

[sifter132]

Looking ahead? Has to be the extra batsman...Kallis' biggest contribution was with bat and therefore it's his runs that SA is going to need to replace most. Playing an extra bowler to replace his 10 overs per day seems a luxury, particularly when he'd be the 4th seamer behind 3 really good ones. And not the keeper, because ABDV has been batting just as well with the gloves as without. Concerns about his workload etc. are just coaches trying to get too cute or fans who are worried about worst case scenarios.

But for short term? I'd completely ignore my above paragraph about a wicketkeeper and pick Quinton de Kock Main reason being: it would be a great litmus test for his batting to see how good he really is at present, coming up against a fast and accurate Aussie attack. I'm not expecting de Kock to average 50+ in his first series, in fact it's likely he would fail. But it's totally worth finding out his flaws NOW rather than years down the track when the selectors might be 'ready' to pick him. It's also part of the same reason I'd pick Duminy and Imran Tahir for one more series. It's their chance to make/break their careers. If Duminy crumbles in front of Mitchell Johnson again, a line can be drawn through his name, maybe not in permanent pen, but it would show Duminy's flaws are still lurking around. Ditto if Imran Tahir gets belted around the park again like last time vs Australia. SA has a good enough team where they can effectively roadtest de Kock, Duminy and Tahir and rely on the other 8 players who will be automatic selections.

The only concern with that team would be...Australia have a 4th seamer in Watson, so it could be a problem if SA are caught on a responsive wicket without a reserve seamer. eg. if Morne Morkel goes the journey as he did in Australia on occasion, a Kallis type bowler would be invaluable.

 

[War]

They should fluctuate depending on team/conditions between bringing in McLaren, the all-rounder @ # 7 & bringing in De Kock to keep to relieve De Villiers of the gloves.

Even if Peterson/Tahir or Simon Harmer from domestic cricket are not wicket taking bowlers - they could have use in some games. In this scenario i would let De Villiers keep:

Smith, A Peterson, Amla, Du Plessis, De Villiers +, Duminy, McClaren, R Peterson/Harmer, Philander, Steyn, Morkel

The other scenario of De Kock comes in, 4 quicks should play. I would think this would be a preferable tactic vs Australia:

Smith, A Peterson, Amla, Du Plessis, De Villiers, Duminy, De Kock, McLaren/B Hendricks/Abbot/Viljeon, Philander, Steyn, Morkel


But as i've mentioned in the other thread, as the S Africa cricinfo correspondent is noticing in the last week - none of these scenario's could happen. Instead SA could have a ugly situation where keeper Tsokeile is brought in just because outside influences want a black player:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/review2013/content/story/706171.html

Their successes were underpinned by consistency in selection in the longest format, however, that will change with the retirement of Jacques Kallis. Although not as worshipped or as flamboyant as other greats who retired recently, his absence will do to South Africa what the exits of Sachin Tendulkar or Ricky Ponting did to India and Australia.

Plugging the gap will be South Africa's biggest Test challenge in the next year. As will fielding a black African in the Test XI, which has now gone three years without a representative from the country's biggest demographic group. Pressure is growing for that to change.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/709163.html

Should South Africa go this way, they will have to bring in one of the reserve glovemen - Thami Tsolekile or his Lions team-mate Quinton de Kock. Tsolekile is probably the first choice. His issue has also become political because of the lack of black African players in the team. South Africa's Test side has gone more than three years without a member of the country's biggest demographic group and it is understood CSA board members are pushing for Tsolekile's inclusion.

 

[FabregasChelsea]

Just bring De Cock in as a keeper and Ab to play as a batsman

 

[Samuels]

Ideally, a player like Albie Morkel who averages a shade under 45 and has around a wicket per match average should be drafted in the side looking at how potent the Protea attack is but the selectors seem to have vowed not to give Albie, a second chance and by what I have read, Morkel himself is aware about it. Now, the second option is to fit in a bowling allrounder which is where McLaren is way strong contender than others but then again, the attack of the national team is too good and they do not seem to require to add more teeth to their attack. Now, talking about the batsmen, I would advocate for de Kock who has done very well in the recent past with the past. The chap not only brings an in form batsmen to the side but only relieves AB from keeping for long hours which could be a painful job unless you are really comfortable with it. Furthermore, this will boost AB's confidence and he would be able to concentrate more on his batting and not to forget, use his stamina to the fullest without sharing in the tiring job as a gloveman which will ultimately help South Africa. May be AB can move up and take the job of Kallis at 4 because I feel he has the resistance and also the experience to bat at the number in test matches for the Proteas. All in all, it should be Albie or de Kock for me.

 

[War]

S Africa indeed treated A Morkel poorly and didn't get the best out of him @ international level. But i think his time has passed to be honest, watching him in 2013 in various T20 leagues, a decline was noticeable.

Ryan McClaren or even Wayne Parnell if he keeps improving are the all-rounders they would chose really.

 

[sifter132]

^Think you're all over it dude Although I'm sure SA would prefer to find an all-rounder with better batting pedigree at #7 . McLaren only has 3 first class hundreds, and he'd arguably be batting a spot too high for his ability at #7 . Until Duminy produces something consistent, the #7 is going to be needed to make a few runs. Don't want a team where 4 out is almost all out.

 

[War]

Based on watching McClaren bat over the years, i think he could bat quiet competently @ # 7 in tests. In FC cricket i believe he bats in that position consistently.

 

[Owzat]

Depends what all-rounders South Africa have.

I wouldn't advocate including a batsman who can bowl as the fifth bowler in an ODI, so would think they'd need to include five main bowlers, but in Tests there is no reason they can't get away with four main bowlers and part-time back-up.

After all aren't Steyn and Philander supposed to be quite handy.......? Steyn is 30, Philander 28 so a few years left with those in the side yet. Pick the best spinner or just play four quicks.

But honestly I think while Kallis was a good bowler, his influence/the need to have him as a bowler in Tests is exaggerated for want of a better way of putting it.

Kallis picked up 0-4 wickets in his last ELEVEN Test series, not a huge impact with the ball by any means. He's taken 10+ wickets in a series nine times out of 60, only twice in his last 30 Test series

ODIs is a slightly different kettle of fish, but even then he only bowled 30 overs at the last World Cup (across 7 matches) compared to double that at the previous World Cup (across 10 matches) The batting for South Africa should currently be strong enough to juggle it a bit, play De Villiers or someone like that as batsman-keeper and fit in the best 1-2 all-rounders to give the side depth.

 

[aditya123]

Depends what all-rounders South Africa have.

I wouldn't advocate including a batsman who can bowl as the fifth bowler in an ODI, so would think they'd need to include five main bowlers, but in Tests there is no reason they can't get away with four main bowlers and part-time back-up.

After all aren't Steyn and Philander supposed to be quite handy.......? Steyn is 30, Philander 28 so a few years left with those in the side yet. Pick the best spinner or just play four quicks.

But honestly I think while Kallis was a good bowler, his influence/the need to have him as a bowler in Tests is exaggerated for want of a better way of putting it.

Kallis picked up 0-4 wickets in his last ELEVEN Test series, not a huge impact with the ball by any means. He's taken 10+ wickets in a series nine times out of 60, only twice in his last 30 Test series

ODIs is a slightly different kettle of fish, but even then he only bowled 30 overs at the last World Cup (across 7 matches) compared to double that at the previous World Cup (across 10 matches) The batting for South Africa should currently be strong enough to juggle it a bit, play De Villiers or someone like that as batsman-keeper and fit in the best 1-2 all-rounders to give the side depth.

Why are we pondering over his ODI slot when he has clearly mentioned his intentions to be a part of the ODI squad till the 2015 WC.

 

[Lebanna]

Why are we pondering over his ODI slot when he has clearly mentioned his intentions to be a part of the ODI squad till the 2015 WC.

Because he has been a lot below his normal form in ODIs. And also with his retirement from Test cricket, you know that all international cricket is not going to be too far away so looking at ways of replacing him is not a bad idea at all.

That said, when it comes to an important match you'll want him in as a senior player so he can show the junior players how to choke properly...

 

[War]

Australia in South Africa 2013-14 : Ryan McLaren, Wayne Parnell in for Australia Tests; Imran Tahir dropped | Cricket News | South Africa v Australia | ESPN Cricinfo

Based on this squad selection, the SA selectors seem a bit confused as to how they will replace Kallis.

 

[sifter132]

Australia in South Africa 2013-14 : Ryan McLaren, Wayne Parnell in for Australia Tests; Imran Tahir dropped | Cricket News | South Africa v Australia | ESPN Cricinfo

Based on this squad selection, the SA selectors seem a bit confused as to how they will replace Kallis.

They've picked ALL the options haven't they? It could be Elgar to boost the batting, a specialist keeper, or McLaren/Parnell. They didn't go for de Kock though...

Still think Australia would love to see McLaren or Parnell at 7. Duminy at 6 is potentially pretty shaky, it could be that the tail starts at 6. Then again, Mitch Johnson gave Elgar some pretty hairy moments vs the short stuff last tour in Aus, and he's only bowling better now. Picking him at 7 may not be helpful either!

Australia's potential hiccup is underestimating Peterson like last time: either his batting or his bowling.