Australia tour of South Africa (2020)

[MenInG]

Australian squads for the Qantas Tour of South AfricaThe National Selection Panel (NSP) has named the following 14-player Australian squads for three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals on the Qantas Tour of South Africa:

Australian T20 International Squad

Aaron Finch (c) (Victoria)
Sean Abbott (New South Wales)
Ashton Agar (Western Australia)
Alex Carey (vc) (South Australia)
Pat Cummins (vc) (New South Wales)
Mitchell Marsh (Western Australia)
Glenn Maxwell (Victoria)
Jhye Richardson (Western Australia)
Kane Richardson (South Australia)
Steve Smith (New South Wales)
Mitchell Starc (New South Wales)
Matthew Wade (Tasmania)
David Warner (New South Wales)
Adam Zampa (South Australia)

Australian One-Day International Squad

Aaron Finch (c) (Victoria)
Ashton Agar (Western Australia)
Alex Carey (vc) (South Australia)
Pat Cummins (vc) (New South Wales)
Josh Hazlewood (New South Wales)
Marnus Labuschagne (Queensland)
Mitchell Marsh (Western Australia)
Glenn Maxwell (Victoria)
Kane Richardson (South Australia)
Steve Smith (New South Wales)
Mitchell Starc (New South Wales)
Matthew Wade (Tasmania)
David Warner (New South Wales)
Adam Zampa (South Australia)

National Selector Trevor Hohns said: “These are two very well-balanced squads with a focus on the specific skills each individual offers in their respective roles. The squads include returning players Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Marsh, Jhye Richardson and Sean Abbott.

“It is fantastic to have Glenn back in both squads given his brilliant form in the middle order for the Stars along with his results with the ball. Glenn was one of the first picked in the most recent T20 team at the start of the summer, prior to his break from the game.

“The same can be said for Mitch. He has been in tremendous touch with the bat for the Scorchers since his return from injury and is now back bowling well. His performances warranted inclusion in the area he operates as a powerful middle order batsman and handy bowler.

“Jhye Richardson also returns to the T20 side from injury with his performances demanding inclusion. He is a terrific young player who has been sensational in all forms of the game; and is an extremely strong fieldsman.

“Matthew Wade is also in red hot form with the bat. He is a very strong fielder; and a great person to have in any team. He can also substitute as wicketkeeper if required.

“Marcus Stoinis is a standby player for each squad and was unlucky to miss out due to the makeup of the current top order. It is terrific to have a backup player of his calibre in such good form.

“Of course there are other unlucky omissions which is always the case when selecting these squads.”

In addition, the NSP has chosen the following Australia A squad to play the England Lions in a four-day, day night first class match at the MCG from February 22:

Australia A Squad

Moises Henriques (c) (New South Wales)
Jackson Bird (Tasmania)
Marcus Harris (Victoria)
Josh Inglis (Western Australia)
Usman Khawaja (vc) (Queensland)
Michael Neser (Queensland)
Kurtis Patterson (New South Wales)
James Pattinson (Victoria)
Will Pucovski (Victoria)
Mark Steketee (Queensland)
Marcus Stoinis (Western Australia)
Mitchell Swepson (Queensland)

On the Australia A side Hohns said:

“This squad is a mix of young players and those with the opportunity to press claims for inclusion in future red ball squads in what should be a strong test against a very good England Lions side under lights at the MCG.”

Qantas Tour of South Africa:

February 21: First T20INTL v South Africa, Johannesburg
February 23: Second T20INTL v South Africa, Port Elizabeth
February 26: Third T20INTL v South Africa, Cape Town
February 29: First ODI v South Africa, Paarl
March 4: Second ODI v South Africa, Bloemfontein
March 7: Third ODI v South Africa, Potchefstroom

Australia A v England Lions:

February 22: Australia A v England Lions, Melbourne (d/n)

 

[Saj]

Good to see Maxwell back after his recent issues.

 

[MenInG]

Good to see Maxwell back after his recent issues.

Short replaces Maxwell for Qantas Tour of South Africa

Glenn Maxwell has stood down from the Qantas tour of South Africa to undergo surgery to his left elbow and will be replaced by D’Arcy Short in both the Australian men’s 20- and 50-over squads.

Maxwell informed Australian team medical staff that pain in the elbow he had been managing through KFC BBL09 had increased over the weekend and he was subsequently reviewed by Cricket Victoria’s Dr Trefor James, Australian Team Doctor Richard Saw and a specialist surgeon in Melbourne.

Imaging scans revealed some loose fragments of bone within his elbow joint that explained the pain that Maxwell had been experiencing.

Maxwell will undergo arthroscopic surgery this Thursday, thus ruling him out of the tour of South Africa. It is expected he will require six-to-eight weeks before he is ready to return to playing.

National Selector Trevor Hohns said it was regrettable to lose Maxwell from the South African tour, but was excited by the introduction of Short to the squad.

Short was one of four stand-by players identified by the National Selection Panel when the original 20- and 50-over squads for the tour of South Africa were chosen.

“We are disappointed to lose Glenn this close to the tour as we were looking forward to welcoming him back to the national side in both the 20- and 50-over formats after his break during the summer,” Hohns said. “Unfortunately, the pain he has experienced in the elbow in the latter stages of the BBL increased over the weekend and he will have surgery immediately to rectify the situation.

“An opportunity has now presented itself for D’Arcy and we’re confident he’ll make the most of whatever opportunities come his way in South Africa. Like Glenn, D’Arcy is an inventive, hard-hitting batsman who offers a handy spin-bowling option. We have no doubt he will make a positive contribution to the squad.”

Maxwell said the decision to stand down from the South African tour was difficult.

“Representing Australia is the highest honour in cricket and something I cherish,” Maxwell said. “I was not confident that I could perform at international level with my elbow in its current state and have decided to undergo surgery straight away to fix the issue.

“I would like to thank Justin Langer, Ben Oliver, Trevor Hohns and the whole Australian squad for their understanding.”

Australian T20 International Squad

Aaron Finch (c) (Victoria)
Sean Abbott (New South Wales)
Ashton Agar (Western Australia)
Alex Carey (vc) (South Australia)
Pat Cummins (vc) (New South Wales)
Mitchell Marsh (Western Australia)
Jhye Richardson (Western Australia)
Kane Richardson (South Australia)
D’Arcy Short (Western Australia)
Steve Smith (New South Wales)
Mitchell Starc (New South Wales)
Matthew Wade (Tasmania)
David Warner (New South Wales)
Adam Zampa (South Australia)

Australian One-Day International Squad

Aaron Finch (c) (Victoria)
Ashton Agar (Western Australia)
Alex Carey (vc) (South Australia)
Pat Cummins (vc) (New South Wales)
Josh Hazlewood (New South Wales)
Marnus Labuschagne (Queensland)
Mitchell Marsh (Western Australia)
Kane Richardson (South Australia)
D’Arcy Short (Western Australia)
Steve Smith (New South Wales)
Mitchell Starc (New South Wales)
Matthew Wade (Tasmania)
David Warner (New South Wales)
Adam Zampa (South Australia)

Qantas Tour of South Africa:

February 21 – First T20I, Johannesburg (6pm SAST, 9am AEDT + 1 day)
February 23 – Second T20I, Port Elizabeth (2.30pm SAST, 11.30pm AEDT)
February 26 – Third T20I, Cape Town (6pm SAST, 9am AEDT + 1 day)
February 29 – First ODI, Paarl (1pm SAST, 10pm AEDT)
March 4 – Second ODI, Bloemfontein (1pm SAST, 10pm AEDT)
March 7 – Third ODI, Potchefstroom (10am SAST, 7pm AEDT)

 

[Junaids]

The fascinating thing is next year’s Australian Test tour to South Africa.

Australia lost 3-1 there two years ago. If they do it again, there’s a pathway for England or Pakistan to reach the World Test Championship Final against India.

 

[angrypathan]

The fascinating thing is next year’s Australian Test tour to South Africa.

Australia lost 3-1 there two years ago. If they do it again, there’s a pathway for England or Pakistan to reach the World Test Championship Final against India.

Unless all the Kolpak players come back and AB De Villiers comes out of retirement, South Africa has a very slim chance of beating the current Australian side.

 

[MenInG]

MELBOURNE - Steve Smith and David Warner will be ready for whatever South African crowds throw at them when the Australia batsmen return to the nation two years after the ball-tampering scandal, paceman Josh Hazlewood has said.

The pair will fly out with the Australia squad on Friday for a limited overs tour in the duo’s first visit to the country since serving 12-month bans for their parts in the tampering plot during the Cape Town Test.

The pair were jeered relentlessly by English crowds during last year’s one-day World Cup and the following Ashes series, and Hazlewood said they would be unfazed by more hostility.

“Steve and Dave have ticked off pretty much every box since coming back,” Hazlewood told reporters in Sydney on Thursday.

“It’s just another one of those and I don’t think it’ll faze them one bit.

“They probably play better when it’s like this.

“It’s nothing we haven’t experienced before ... we’ll be fine.”

Both Smith and Warner have thrived since returning to the national fold after their bans expired last March.

Smith played a leading role in Australia’s retention of the Ashes while Warner was awarded the Allan Border Medal for the third time on Monday as the country’s top cricketer in 2019.

Local media have reported that the head of the national players’ union will tour with the side in South Africa to offer extra support for the players.

Hazlewood said Smith and Warner would not need to be shielded.

“They’ll probably try to take as much heat as they can actually, try to keep the young guys out of the spotlight,” added the paceman.

Hazlewood said engaging positively with fans was the best way to defuse them.

“Join in and try to have a good time with them. Often when you do that, they end up being on your side after a couple of overs,” he said.

“It is when you fight them that it becomes to and fro, and quite abusive. Ride the storm and go along with it.”

https://ewn.co.za/2020/02/13/smith-warner-must-ride-the-storm-in-south-africa-hazlewood

 

[MenInG]

Cricket South Africa’s interim chief executive Jacques Faul has requested South African fans to “respect” Steve Smith and David Warner as the Australians return to the country for the first time since the ball-tampering scandal.

“I would plead with South African fans to respect our opponents and don’t go overboard with these things (referring to Smith and Warner),” Faul told The Herald.

Both Warner and Smith, then Australia’s captain and vice-captain, were banned by Cricket Australia for one year for involvement in ball-tampering during the Cape Town Test in March 2018.

“It’s competitive on the field, and we don’t need it. Sport in general doesn’t need that behaviour.

“What happened last time the behaviour was unfortunate. As much as we appreciate support and you have to acknowledge the importance of people supporting these events I can only plead that people would treat players with respect.”

Nearly two years after their world came crashing down, Smith and Warner flew out to South Africa on Friday with the rest of Australia’s Twenty20 squad.

Australia will play three T20Is, starting on February 21 and three ODIs during the tour.

The duo was at the receiving end of booing from fans during the ICC World Cup and the high-voltage Ashes series against England last summer.

Faul, who stepped into the post in December after Thabang Moroe was suspended amid allegations of misconduct, warned fans they would be thrown out of the ground if they misbehaved.

“Stupidity comes very natural to certain people,” Faul said.

“If someone misbehaves it’s very tough. We have a very strict policy in terms of fan behaviour and we will evacuate people but the damage will have been done.”

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...vid-warner-sandpaper-gate/article30824324.ece

 

[Gilly]

Cant see the SA crowds being disrespectful like the English crowds. English crowds are a bit feral.

open invitation for abuse of aussies.

 

[sweep_shot]

Smith and Warner should develop thick skins.

Fans can say anything. You just ignore. Smile and ignore.

 

[MenInG]

Faf du Plessis, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje have been added to the Standard Bank Proteas’ 16-man squad that will take on Australia in the three-match KFC T20 International series from 21-26 February in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town respectively.

The trio last saw international cricket action during the Test series against England which was won 3-1 by the visitors. They were rested for the subsequent limited overs series and now return in the place of Reeza Hendricks, Beuran Hendricks and Sisanda Magala, while the selectors look to give the remainder of the squad that took on England a longer run.

South Africa suffered a 2-1 T20 series loss to the tourists in yesterday’s deciding match in Centurion but Independent Selector, Linda Zondi was pleased with the fight that the team exhibited in the first two fixtures, noting in particular the resurgence of the batting unit.

“The T20 series may not have been won but it was really pleasing to see our batting unit play so well,” he commented. “They showed a lot of aggression, particularly upfront, in every match which set a good foundation for the rest of the line-up to follow. The very exciting bursts of cricket that we were served up bode very well for the future, especially in the short term as we begin our hunt in earnest for the T20 World Cup squad.

“As a selection panel, we are happy with the team that we have finalized for the Australia tour. We are confident that the return of Kagiso (Rabada) and Anrich (Nortje) will provide the boost that the bowling unit needs in order to return to its dangerous ways and that the experience of Faf (du Plessis) will add an extra dimension to the batting unit’s already fledgling prowess,” Zondi concluded.


Standard Bank Proteas T20 squad vs Australia:

Quinton de Kock (captain, wicketkeeper, Momentum Multiply Titans), *Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), Faf du Plessis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Pite van Biljon (VKB Knights), Dwaine Pretorius (Imperial Lions), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jon-Jon Smuts (Warriors), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (Imperial Lions), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Dale Steyn (Momentum Multiply Titans), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans).

*Bavuma’s selection is dependent on the results of an MRI scan of his right hamstring that he will undergo during the course of the day.

 

[MenInG]

Bavuma ruled out of first KFC T20I vs Australia

Tuesday, 18 February 2020

Standard Bank Proteas opening batsman, Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of this Friday’s KFC T20 international series opener against Australia after suffering a hamstring strain. The injury took place while he was fielding in the third T20 international against England on Sunday.

The recommended recovery time for the injury is seven to 10 days. He will remain with the team and receive treatment from the medical staff in the hopes of returning to play in time for this Sunday’s fixture in Port Elizabeth.

No replacement will be called into the squad.

Standard Bank Proteas T20 squad vs Australia:

Quinton de Kock (captain, wicketkeeper, Momentum Multiply Titans), Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), Faf du Plessis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Pite van Biljon (VKB Knights), Dwaine Pretorius (Imperial Lions), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jon-Jon Smuts (Warriors), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (Imperial Lions), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Dale Steyn (Momentum Multiply Titans), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans).


Australia tour to South Africa itinerary


February 2020

Fri 21 DN 1st. T20I Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Sun 23 Day 2nd. T20I St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

Wed 26 DN 3rd. T20I Newlands, Cape Town

 

[tyron_woodley]

c'mon saffers. The only team with the possibility of having a superior odi h2h vs australia. Let's gooooooooo.

saffers please destroy them.

 

[tyron_woodley]

australia is stupid. should pick jhye for odi over hazelwood.

 

[Hasan123]

Malan should have been the back up opener. Glad Norje has been selected.

 

[Abdullah719]

Reeza Hendricks has been called up to the Standard Bank Proteas’ T20 team as cover following the injuries of Temba Bavuma and Heinrich Klaasen.

Bavuma was diagnosed with a right hamstring strain on Monday, while Klaasen sustained a right hip injury during the team’s warm-up session ahead of the KFC T20 series opening match against Australia in Johannesburg on Friday evening.

Hendricks joined the team on Saturday evening in preparation for the second fixture in Port Elizabeth today. Both Bavuma and Klaasen will continue to be treated and will be reassessed ahead of the start of the second match.


Standard Bank Proteas T20 squad vs Australia:

Quinton de Kock (captain, wicketkeeper, Momentum Multiply Titans), Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), Faf du Plessis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), Reeza Hendricks (Imperial Lions), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Pite van Biljon (VKB Knights), Dwaine Pretorius (Imperial Lions), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jon-Jon Smuts (Warriors), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (Imperial Lions), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Dale Steyn (Momentum Multiply Titans), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans)

 

[The Viper]

Cricket South Africa (CSA) is pleased to announce the Standard Bank Proteas squad that will take on Australia in a three-match Momentum ODI series taking place in Paarl, Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom from 29 February to 06 March 2020. The 15-strong team sees the inclusion of left-arm spinner, Keshav Maharaj for the first time since 2018.

With a busy year and a half in mind, the selectors have opted to give further rest to Faf du Plessis and other senior players such as Rassie van der Dussen and Dwaine Pretorius, while giving themselves an opportunity to see what some of the country’s up and coming talents have to offer.

Among the picks for the series are Lutho Sipamla and Janneman Malan who showed good signs for the future against England and Kyle Verreynne who was also picked for the ODI series against England but did not play. The selectors have followed his progress in the domestic 50-over competition, the Momentum One-Day Cup and are pleased to call him back into the squad with the plan to give him an opportunity when it arises.

The full team is as follows:

Quinton de Kock (captain, wicket keeper, Imperial Lions), Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Beuran Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Janneman Malan (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Jon-Jon Smuts (Warriors), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Lutho Sipamla (Warriors), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras).

“With the completion of the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the next one being three years away from now, we always saw the series against England and Australia as an opportunity to play some fresh talent,” remarked head coach, Mark Boucher. “If we feel that we need to rest players, we will, as we have done in the recent past.

“Faf (du Plessis) has been fantastic for us in white ball cricket and remains very much in our ODI plans and we will manage his workload for the near future diligently.

“I would like to strengthen our depth pool right now and see what players we have out there. I feel that this is the time and opportunity to do so,” he concluded.

Independent selector, Linda Zondi echoed Boucher’s sentiments, saying:

“We are excited to see what will come from the selections we have made ahead of this latest series against Australia. It is again another young squad that sees the absence of some senior players in Faf, Rassie (van der Dussen) and Dwaine (Pretorius), while we balance the workloads of individuals ahead of an extremely busy year and a bit for the Proteas men. At the same time, it is a good opportunity to give younger and less experienced players an opportunity to show us what they’ve got to offer when the spotlight is fully on them. We have every confidence in their capabilities and potential, which is why we have backed them to take on the task of playing this formidable Australian side.

“We are pleased to call up Keshav (Maharaj) who has done really well with the white ball over an extended period of time in the domestic franchise competitions of CSA. His experience, the extra spin option he provides us as well as the added contributions he makes with the bat and with fielding will be welcomed additions to the team.”

 

[Saj]

Standard Bank Proteas paceman, Kagiso Rabada has sustained a groin strain and will take no further part in the Australia tour to South Africa and has been further ruled out of the team’s subsequent tour to India starting early next month. The injury took place during the KFC T20 international series against the Australia which ended on Wednesday evening and will see him out of action for approximately four weeks.

Cricket South Africa Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shuaib Manjra said;

“Kagiso (Rabada) sustained a groin muscle strain in the T20 series against Australia, he was assessed by the medical staff, assisted by an MRI scan. The significant injury means that he will take approximately four weeks to heal, which effectively rules him out of both the Australia and India ODI series.

“The CSA medical staff will ensure his effective and expeditious recovery.”

No replacement has been named as yet.

 

[MenInG]

Mitchell Starc to return home from South Africa for ICC Women's Twenty20 World Cup Final

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc will miss Saturday’s final One-Day International of the Qantas Tour of South Africa in Potchefstroom as he will return home to Australia on Friday to attend the ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup Final.

Mitchell’s wife, Alyssa Healy, is a member of the Australia squad that has qualified for the final to face India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday 8 March.

Commenting on the decision to release Mitchell from the squad, Bupa Support Staff Australia Men’s Head Coach Justin Langer said: “It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Mitch to watch Alyssa in a home World Cup Final and so we were happy to allow him to return home to support his wife and be part of a fantastic occasion.

“It is something we have been talking about for a while and, given Mitch has had a considerable workload in all three formats this summer, his heading home a couple of days ahead of the rest of the squad means he will have a chance to refresh ahead of our home and away One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals against New Zealand that will wrap up our season.

“We have plenty of fast bowling options with us here in South Africa with Josh Hazlewood, Jhye Richardson and Kane Richardson all sitting out our previous match in Bloemfontein, and Mitch’s absence will offer one of them an opportunity to impress in Saturday’s match.”

 

[MenInG]

Hollywoodbets Dolphins seamer, Daryn Dupavillon has been included into the Standard Bank Proteas’ squad ahead of the third and final Momentum ODI against Australia in Potchefstroom on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Durbanite’s call-up comes as a result of the illness of Beuran Hendricks and the resting of Lungi Ngidi from the final fixture in anticipation of the team’s three-match ODI series starting in India next week.

Dupavillon claims 35 List A wickets in 21 innings, with career-best figures of 6/28 at an average of 24.82. He joined the team in Potchefstroom this afternoon.

In other news, Tabraiz Shamsi will also not be available for selection for the final match as his wife, Khadija has given birth to their first-born child.


Standard Bank Proteas ODI squad vs Australia:

Quinton de Kock (captain, wicketkeeper, Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Beuran Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Janneman Malan (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Jon-Jon Smuts (Warriors), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Lutho Sipamla (Warriors), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), Daryn Dupavillon (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).