South Africa vs Pakistan | 3rd ODI | Centurion | Jan 25, 2019 | Pre-Match Discussion Thread

[rhony]

why should he bat at 4? you're acting like he's gotten ducks at the top of the innings

He's getting bounced out before he can feast into Shamsi and Tahir

 

[Pete Rose]

Hafeez won u the first game.
Malik is the only one mickey should be having a talk with

This is correct, hafeez won us a game in Australia where we were chasing 250 odd and of course did nothing in the other 4 Odis.

 

[Chokli]

This is correct, hafeez won us a game in Australia where we were chasing 250 odd and of course did nothing in the other 4 Odis.

it was 220 odd at melbourne

if you have to rely on hafeez to win you every match, that pretty much says it all about the rest of the players

 

[Pete Rose]

it was 220 odd at melbourne

if you have to rely on hafeez to win you every match, that pretty much says it all about the rest of the players

it was a game in which both hafeez and malik showed up. because it was something they could work with. based on their record anything beyond 270 against a top team in even conditions is beyond them. i hope to be proven wrong about hafeez, but 15 years is enough evidence. as for malik, less said the better.

 

[Chokli]

it was a game in which both hafeez and malik showed up. because it was something they could work with. based on their record anything beyond 270 against a top team in even conditions is beyond them. i hope to be proven wrong about hafeez, but 15 years is enough evidence. as for malik, less said the better.

hafeez is the lesser of the two evils

 

[MMHS]

I think FZ should bat at 4. Babar's solid at 3

They won’t drop Hafeez, Malik - only 3 spots available at 1-2-3. Opening with 2 lefti & then next 6 right handers isn’t a great idea. Babar is best suited for opening.

Ideally, I would have opened with Babar-Shan & FZ at 3.

 

[Chokli]

They won’t drop Hafeez, Malik - only 3 spots available at 1-2-3. Opening with 2 lefti & then next 6 right handers isn’t a great idea. Babar is best suited for opening.

Ideally, I would have opened with Babar-Shan & FZ at 3.

babar
imam
fakhar
masood
hafeez
sarfraz
imad
shadab

 

[rhony]

They won’t drop Hafeez, Malik - only 3 spots available at 1-2-3. Opening with 2 lefti & then next 6 right handers isn’t a great idea. Babar is best suited for opening.

Ideally, I would have opened with Babar-Shan & FZ at 3.

You'd drop Imam? He was great in the first ODI. He also has a decent technique

 

[MMHS]

babar
imam
fakhar
masood
hafeez
sarfraz
imad
shadab

No place for Imad in ODI out side Asia. I’ll play a 4th pace all-rounder on faster wicket & if required extract few spin overs from Hafeez, Malk & Haris. If it’s a genuine 2 spinners wicket, I'll play 2nd genuine spinner - Gohar or Leggi Irfan (or may be Usama) or a experience new face like Raza Hasan, Kashif or Irfan (SLAO). Bottom m last me for s 20 overs from genuine spinner between over #15-43 to get 2-3 wickets. It’s workibg for the best 2 sides in world - no reason why it can’t work for PAK.

Not impressed with Fahim, therefore they have to try a new face against Australia- my choice is Amad, or even Hammad. Instead of trying to make an A Razzak out of Fahim, it’s better to invest that energy to improve batting of Hasan & Amir - both can out do Fahim with bat. Arthur loves “all-rounders”, hence players like Fahim, Imad, Nawaz had 2-3 years honeymoon period; otherwise none of them would have survived long in ODI team.

 

[MMHS]

You'd drop Imam? He was great in the first ODI. He also has a decent technique

Not sure about greatness, but he did score 86 in a chase. 3 more games left and if he can prove his worth, definitely I'll change my mind. As of now, absolutely not convinced by his ODI batting. Without his uncle, he won’t have made the ODI squad, and won’t have lasted long enough to bash ZIM reserves. If PAK played Babar as opener against ZIM - he could have made a record of 5 consecutive hundreds. In fact, without uncle he won’t have been starting to make that 86 after his & Shan’s Test performance. IuH flew to SAF to make sure that Imam starts - to his fortune, first 2 games were on very much Asain tracks, still he failed one of two attempts. If he can repeat that 86 in one of next 3 innings, definitely he should start against Australia without the help of uncle.

For next 3 games, may be you can drop FZ instead of Imam because FZ looking ugly but bottom line is Shan deserves a chance. Players like FZ are always worth risking because the day he gets it right, will make a difference- Imam is very steady and so far steady at lower abb, with one statistical anomaly. And, I won’t play Shan at 5 instead of Malik - this is one ajeeb tactics by PCT - pick batsmen for scoring tons of runs at one position, then play him at another one. Asad averages 58+ in domestics (List A), and he has scored allmost all of his runs at 1-3, they batted him at 5/6; same is for Maqsood while Sarfraz is a middle order - they opened with him. Latest was Talat - is he a No. 7 player? ODI batting is position dependent - batsmen should be played for the position their game suits. Shan & Imam are not middle order batsman; Asif Butler isn’t a top order player.

 

[Ummii]

Shan
Imam
Babar
Hafeez
Rizwan
Malik
Shadab
Hasan
Faheem/Talat/Shinwari
Amir
Shaheen

 

[ask_analyse_act]

I have no idea why they play Hussain talat ahead of Shan Masood if his bowling is at the same level and usage as of Shan. Amir should have replaced faheem in the 2nd odi itself. Sick of seeing trundling pace at 125kph to open the bowling.

Shan in talat out
Aamir in faheem out
If sarfraz banned then Rizwan in

 

[Hbomb00]

1.Fakhar
2.Imam
3.Babar
4.Shan
5.Hafeez
6.Sarfaraz
7.Shadab
8.Faheem
9.Hasan
10.Amir
11.Shaheen

 

[Hbomb00]

Shan
Imam
Babar
Hafeez
Rizwan
Malik
Shadab
Hasan
Faheem/Talat/Shinwari
Amir
Shaheen

Why no Fakhar, what has malik done in last 2 ODIs?

 

[rhony]

Not sure about greatness, but he did score 86 in a chase. 3 more games left and if he can prove his worth, definitely I'll change my mind. As of now, absolutely not convinced by his ODI batting. Without his uncle, he won’t have made the ODI squad, and won’t have lasted long enough to bash ZIM reserves. If PAK played Babar as opener against ZIM - he could have made a record of 5 consecutive hundreds. In fact, without uncle he won’t have been starting to make that 86 after his & Shan’s Test performance. IuH flew to SAF to make sure that Imam starts - to his fortune, first 2 games were on very much Asain tracks, still he failed one of two attempts. If he can repeat that 86 in one of next 3 innings, definitely he should start against Australia without the help of uncle.

For next 3 games, may be you can drop FZ instead of Imam because FZ looking ugly but bottom line is Shan deserves a chance. Players like FZ are always worth risking because the day he gets it right, will make a difference- Imam is very steady and so far steady at lower abb, with one statistical anomaly. And, I won’t play Shan at 5 instead of Malik - this is one ajeeb tactics by PCT - pick batsmen for scoring tons of runs at one position, then play him at another one. Asad averages 58+ in domestics (List A), and he has scored allmost all of his runs at 1-3, they batted him at 5/6; same is for Maqsood while Sarfraz is a middle order - they opened with him. Latest was Talat - is he a No. 7 player? ODI batting is position dependent - batsmen should be played for the position their game suits. Shan & Imam are not middle order batsman; Asif Butler isn’t a top order player.

Imam looked the part tbh. As you said it's definitely worth trying for the next 3 games. He is easy on the eye and is a work in progress. FZ shouldn't be dropped. He's the X factor. Despite his troubles he still averaged close to 40 last year without counting ZIM series. His SR is a bit down but shouldn't be an issue with him as he can always pick up later. Shan should open and I'm surprised he wasnt tried so far after his test exploits. Arthur can relieve a bit of pressure off FZ and slot him at 4 to take advantage of spinners and bowlers like Phehluk and get his confidence back. Talat is a wasted spot at 7.

 

[shariqnoor]

India demolished SA last year just based on wrist spin. I'm surprised why Pakistan did not take cue from that India-SA series and played two wrist spinners. In the two games so far, Shadab has bowled really well. I would've included Usama Mir or Mohammad Irfan in the squad and played two wrist spinners in the playing XI. Playing Talat, a medium pacer, who is then going to bat at 7 is ridiculous. His bowling will be smashed to smithereens and his batting will be non-existent. Waste of a space really.

India are going to brush teams aside in England just with their two wrist spinners. Pakistan should follow the lead and induct another wrist spinner.

 

[Pakpak]

India demolished SA last year just based on wrist spin. I'm surprised why Pakistan did not take cue from that India-SA series and played two wrist spinners. In the two games so far, Shadab has bowled really well. I would've included Usama Mir or Mohammad Irfan in the squad and played two wrist spinners in the playing XI. Playing Talat, a medium pacer, who is then going to bat at 7 is ridiculous. His bowling will be smashed to smithereens and his batting will be non-existent. Waste of a space really.

India are going to brush teams aside in England just with their two wrist spinners. Pakistan should follow the lead and induct another wrist spinner.

You're asking common sense from a common sense deficient selector.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

India demolished SA last year just based on wrist spin. I'm surprised why Pakistan did not take cue from that India-SA series and played two wrist spinners. In the two games so far, Shadab has bowled really well. I would've included Usama Mir or Mohammad Irfan in the squad and played two wrist spinners in the playing XI. Playing Talat, a medium pacer, who is then going to bat at 7 is ridiculous. His bowling will be smashed to smithereens and his batting will be non-existent. Waste of a space really.

India are going to brush teams aside in England just with their two wrist spinners. Pakistan should follow the lead and induct another wrist spinner.

Both these names you have mentioned are not quite there for international cricket yet if you check their domestic stats, on the other hand I would rather invest in Mohammad Asghar instead.

 

[AFM]

If SA play this team, they will be very difficult to beat.

Hashim Amla
Quinton de Kock
Rassie van der Dussen
Aiden Markram
Faf du Plessis
David Miller
Andile Phehlukwayo
Kagiso Rabada
Dale Steyn
Tabraiz Shamsi
Imran Tahir

I would play this team:

Fakhar Zaman
Imam ul Haq
Babar Azam
Shan Masood
Mohammad Hafeez
Mohammad Rizwan
Hussain Talat
Shahdab Khan
Hassan Ali
Mohammad Amir
Shaheen Shah Afridi

 

[MenInG]

The average 1st innings score at SuperSport Park in a day/night ODI is 275. Out of 21 matches played 11 have been won by the team batting first and 9 have been won by the team batting second.

Source CSA Twitter.

 

[a_tahir]

The average 1st innings score at SuperSport Park in a day/night ODI is 275. Out of 21 matches played 11 have been won by the team batting first and 9 have been won by the team batting second.

Source CSA Twitter.

Any news on Sarfaraz's ban??

 

[Chokli]

improve batting of Hasan & Amir -

no, they are fine where they are as number 9 and 10 batsman, shadab is great at number 8.

we need to make our tail stronger.

imad has done well at the 7 spot as a batsman but yes outside of asia his bowling isn't as effective.

aamir yamin is a good batsman but his bowling isn't

 

[Chokli]

India demolished SA last year just based on wrist spin. I'm surprised why Pakistan did not take cue from that India-SA series and played two wrist spinners. In the two games so far, Shadab has bowled really well. I would've included Usama Mir or Mohammad Irfan in the squad and played two wrist spinners in the playing XI. Playing Talat, a medium pacer, who is then going to bat at 7 is ridiculous. His bowling will be smashed to smithereens and his batting will be non-existent. Waste of a space really.

India are going to brush teams aside in England just with their two wrist spinners. Pakistan should follow the lead and induct another wrist spinner.

pakistani think tank isn't smart enough to do that.

they want to stick to their roots with phaaaaaaaaast bowlers

 

[MMHS]

no, they are fine where they are as number 9 and 10 batsman, shadab is great at number 8.

we need to make our tail stronger.

imad has done well at the 7 spot as a batsman but yes outside of asia his bowling isn't as effective.

aamir yamin is a good batsman but his bowling isn't

Improve batting of Hasan & Amir doesn't mean they have to bat at 7 & 8 ..... they are perfect at 9 & 10; but always can add reliability in their batting.

You are beating the same bush - Shadab isn't good enough at 7, though he is performing better than some of the regular batsman above him. His Test average is 35, ODI average is 30, FC average is 32 & List A average is 29; and he is still U23 - more than enough to justify that he can be groomed for even No. 6; but I'll stick at No. 7 for the moment. Imad's competition is not for No. 7 - his bowling is not good enough for that, his competition has to be with Haris or Malik or Hafeez for No. 6 - someone making the XI on batting merit, but can contribute with ball as an option to Captain. He is definitely not good enough for that, just like Fahim Ashraf isn't for No. 8 (in any scope).

Not only PAK, actually every team will be happy to have a Gilchrist at 7, Hadlee at 8, Wasim Akram at 9, Warne at 10 & Marshall at 11, so it's a bit redundant to say that PAK needs stronger tail. PAK first needs 3-4 top order batsman who actually can score more often than not - covering top order batting weakness by batting length has never worked, it just reduces the defeat margin and gives occasional surprises. And, to do that at the cost of bowling strength, for a team like PAK is suicidal.

Take 2nd ODI - this is the worst SAF tail in living memory, even in 1950s they had Peter Pollock, McGlew & Peter Heine in lower half, still I am pretty sure they would have won chasing even 245/9 - anything under 250 was covered. The reason is that PAK was short by 2 bowlers - drop Talat & Fahim for Amir and another spinner; this SAF would have struggled to chase even 170 from 80-5 with that tail. On contrary, PAK's batting depth had given them an unda -112/8....

These sort of "all-rounder" are the biggest curse for PAK cricket. Play 5 batsman on batting merit (one of them can be 6th bowler in crisis or as an option), a WK who can bat and capable of making XI only on batting merit, a No. 7 who makes the XI on bowling merit but can bat (Shadab is more than perfect at that role, bonus is his fielding), a No. 8 who is better bowler & batsman than Fahim (if he was 10-12 years younger, I would have said Sohail Khan was perfect); 3 bowlers on absolute bowling merit (but push them hard not to go Yasir route with bat) - Amir, Hasan & Shaheen are the best available ..... and a Captain who does better Captaincy than yelling - a SF spot is still there to grab.

 

[Chokli]

Improve batting of Hasan & Amir doesn't mean they have to bat at 7 & 8 ..... they are perfect at 9 & 10; but always can add reliability in their batting.

this i can agree with

You are beating the same bush - Shadab isn't good enough at 7, though he is performing better than some of the regular batsman above him. His Test average is 35, ODI average is 30, FC average is 32 & List A average is 29; and he is still U23 - more than enough to justify that he can be groomed for even No. 6; but I'll stick at No. 7 for the moment. Imad's competition is not for No. 7 - his bowling is not good enough for that, his competition has to be with Haris or Malik or Hafeez for No. 6 - someone making the XI on batting merit, but can contribute with ball as an option to Captain. He is definitely not good enough for that, just like Fahim Ashraf isn't for No. 8 (in any scope).

yes he's performing better than malik and sarfraz, you need to replace malik and sarfraz not have shadab take a slot of a batsman.. shadab doesn't have the ability to play at a strike rate of 130 or score a hundred at that position... he's good for a 15-20 and on a good day a 30 with a strike rate of 80-90... by slotting him at 7 you're weakening an already weak batting line up... shadab is fine for number 8, hasan at 9, amir at 10 and shaheen at 11... we need someone for 7.

Not only PAK, actually every team will be happy to have a Gilchrist at 7, Hadlee at 8, Wasim Akram at 9, Warne at 10 & Marshall at 11, so it's a bit redundant to say that PAK needs stronger tail. PAK first needs 3-4 top order batsman who actually can score more often than not - covering top order batting weakness by batting length has never worked, it just reduces the defeat margin and gives occasional surprises. And, to do that at the cost of bowling strength, for a team like PAK is suicidal.

imam, babar, shan, fakhar, hafeez, rizwan, all rounder, shadab, hasan, amir, shaheen

is great, you need someone for number 7.

it's the 2020s, not 1990s where you shouldn't worry about tail batting.

Take 2nd ODI - this is the worst SAF tail in living memory, even in 1950s they had Peter Pollock, McGlew & Peter Heine in lower half, still I am pretty sure they would have won chasing even 245/9 - anything under 250 was covered. The reason is that PAK was short by 2 bowlers - drop Talat & Fahim for Amir and another spinner; this SAF would have struggled to chase even 170 from 80-5 with that tail. On contrary, PAK's batting depth had given them an unda -112/8....

These sort of "all-rounder" are the biggest curse for PAK cricket. Play 5 batsman on batting merit (one of them can be 6th bowler in crisis or as an option), a WK who can bat and capable of making XI only on batting merit, a No. 7 who makes the XI on bowling merit but can bat (Shadab is more than perfect at that role, bonus is his fielding), a No. 8 who is better bowler & batsman than Fahim (if he was 10-12 years younger, I would have said Sohail Khan was perfect); 3 bowlers on absolute bowling merit (but push them hard not to go Yasir route with bat) - Amir, Hasan & Shaheen are the best available ..... and a Captain who does better Captaincy than yelling - a SF spot is still there to grab.

need someone else at 7 that is not shadab..

if only asif ali could bowl some off spin.

mohammad nabi of afghansitan would be perfect for number 7

 

[MMHS]

this i can agree with



yes he's performing better than malik and sarfraz, you need to replace malik and sarfraz not have shadab take a slot of a batsman.. shadab doesn't have the ability to play at a strike rate of 130 or score a hundred at that position... he's good for a 15-20 and on a good day a 30 with a strike rate of 80-90... by slotting him at 7 you're weakening an already weak batting line up... shadab is fine for number 8, hasan at 9, amir at 10 and shaheen at 11... we need someone for 7.



imam, babar, shan, fakhar, hafeez, rizwan, all rounder, shadab, hasan, amir, shaheen

is great, you need someone for number 7.

it's the 2020s, not 1990s where you shouldn't worry about tail batting.



need someone else at 7 that is not shadab..

if only asif ali could bowl some off spin.

mohammad nabi of afghansitan would be perfect for number 7

Mo Nabi is not a better batsman than Shadab, not even equal, trust me. He has played majority of his career against lowest tier teams, still his ODI stats are 29/88; his FC stats are even poor considering AFG domestics & ICC FC competitions against associates - average of 26!!!! And, he has played his entire career at a mature age - debuting at Afghan age of 24

This is another area which needs to be fixed - nepotism, poor selection, biased selection, poor leadership, tactical blunders, unfavorable "home" condition .... have made PAK team performing much below their level, which has taken confidence out of players, coach, captain, fans .... even from PakPassion. I have taunted lot due to few loud mouths here, but do you think PAK team should be out classed by BD team without 3 key players at UAE where none of our players ever played? Or this Andile guy scoring match winning 69, bating almost blind folded!!!!

There is still enough players not make it 2-10 in last 13 months against any decent side (I don't say top 7 ranked, because NZL, IND, BAN & SAF were severally under strengthen against PAK games, just ranking of teams doesn't tell how PAK is out classed, out of contest before half way of a 100 over game).

Thinking big of Asif Ali are those ideas that needs to be buried in PAK cricket. You ask me, Hasan has done better than Asif Ali with bat in ODI!!!!

 

[castortroy]

After sarfraz stupid comments expecting this series to finish 4-1 in favour of SA.

SA will be pumped for the next games

 

[Ahmed216]

This Pak team will suffer as long as PSL hacks like Faheem Asif Ali etc are expected to perform in Internationals.

 

[PakPremi]

MOHD Amir should come in for Fahim and Shan for Talat. Even though it is unfair to Talat but we need best team to win.

 

[The Viper]

Amir or Imad for Faheem. If Talat plays he has to bat higher than 7.

 

[Abdullah719]

Both these names you have mentioned are not quite there for international cricket yet if you check their domestic stats, on the other hand I would rather invest in Mohammad Asghar instead.

Usama Mir hasn't done too well, or even played much recently but Mohammad Irfan the leg-spinner was the top wicket taker in the QEA One-Day Cup... the only 50 over tournament played so far this season, that should count for something.

 

[gazza619]

I dont care who is dropped from the side.

I want to see Shaan and Rizwan at all cost!

 

[Mp812]

After sarfraz stupid comments expecting this series to finish 4-1 in favour of SA.

SA will be pumped for the next games

Expecting Rabada and other black guy to get motivated by the taunt and get a 5 for in game 3 and 5

 

[Hamza_]

Is taptaan playing?

 

[Ummii]

Oh man they will face Steyn and crowd as well. I am sure crowd will not come easy there.

 

[Banter]

Only chance Pakistan have is to attack with the ball. The batting is weak and isn't magically going to improve. Gamble on the bowling front, load up the best bowlers you can and hope to keep SA below 270.

 

[rhony]

Improve batting of Hasan & Amir doesn't mean they have to bat at 7 & 8 ..... they are perfect at 9 & 10; but always can add reliability in their batting.

You are beating the same bush - Shadab isn't good enough at 7, though he is performing better than some of the regular batsman above him. His Test average is 35, ODI average is 30, FC average is 32 & List A average is 29; and he is still U23 - more than enough to justify that he can be groomed for even No. 6; but I'll stick at No. 7 for the moment. Imad's competition is not for No. 7 - his bowling is not good enough for that, his competition has to be with Haris or Malik or Hafeez for No. 6 - someone making the XI on batting merit, but can contribute with ball as an option to Captain. He is definitely not good enough for that, just like Fahim Ashraf isn't for No. 8 (in any scope).

Not only PAK, actually every team will be happy to have a Gilchrist at 7, Hadlee at 8, Wasim Akram at 9, Warne at 10 & Marshall at 11, so it's a bit redundant to say that PAK needs stronger tail. PAK first needs 3-4 top order batsman who actually can score more often than not - covering top order batting weakness by batting length has never worked, it just reduces the defeat margin and gives occasional surprises. And, to do that at the cost of bowling strength, for a team like PAK is suicidal.

Take 2nd ODI - this is the worst SAF tail in living memory, even in 1950s they had Peter Pollock, McGlew & Peter Heine in lower half, still I am pretty sure they would have won chasing even 245/9 - anything under 250 was covered. The reason is that PAK was short by 2 bowlers - drop Talat & Fahim for Amir and another spinner; this SAF would have struggled to chase even 170 from 80-5 with that tail. On contrary, PAK's batting depth had given them an unda -112/8....

These sort of "all-rounder" are the biggest curse for PAK cricket. Play 5 batsman on batting merit (one of them can be 6th bowler in crisis or as an option), a WK who can bat and capable of making XI only on batting merit, a No. 7 who makes the XI on bowling merit but can bat (Shadab is more than perfect at that role, bonus is his fielding), a No. 8 who is better bowler & batsman than Fahim (if he was 10-12 years younger, I would have said Sohail Khan was perfect); 3 bowlers on absolute bowling merit (but push them hard not to go Yasir route with bat) - Amir, Hasan & Shaheen are the best available ..... and a Captain who does better Captaincy than yelling - a SF spot is still there to grab.

Good post. The specialist spots can't be compromised for the sake of balance or depth. Modern ODI teams need to have 6 specialist batsmen and 4 specialist bowlers. The 7th batsman is also a decent bowler or vice versa. Shadab is good enough to be that No.7. He has a decent enough technique and can improve his strokeplay. Imad/Talat position is a waste of space. Instead a top order batsman like Haris/Shan should be selected. Hafeez/Malik should be good enough to share the 5th bowler duties.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

After sarfraz stupid comments expecting this series to finish 4-1 in favour of SA.

SA will be pumped for the next games

SA are a bunch of moaners. Can't wait to see their tears in the World Cup.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Are we going to select Hassan Ali for his batting, Hussain Talat for his (well i can't seem to figure out what he's good at), Shaoib Malik for his seniority, and Sarfraz for his captaincy? This team is carrying too much dead weight.

 

[iHammad]

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Hafeez
Malik
Sarfraz
Faheem Ashraf
Shadab Khan
Amir
Hasan Ali
Shaheen Afridi

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Don't see winning us this game with our specialist captain.
The crowd and the team bith will come hard at us...
Only way we can win is if sarfraz don't play

 

[Shafi]

SA are a bunch of moaners. Can't wait to see their tears in the World Cup.

As if we won the world cup 4-5 times. Apart from lucky 92 all our World Cup end up with tears.

 

[Shafi]

What happend to Muhammad Hasnain 150k young fast bowler?

 

[MenInG]

Strengthened Proteas want consistency with bat and ball

Thursday, 24 January 2019

Standard Bank Proteas captain, Faf du Plessis, would like more consistency with bat and ball in the third Momentum one-day international (ODI) against Pakistan at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday. The Proteas will be boosted by the return of Quinton de Kock and Dale Steyn, as they look to seize the initiative after a rollercoaster opening week.

The opening two matches have unearthed some new potential with Rassie van der Dussen being the standout performer, an exercise that has been a ‘blessing in disguise’ for Du Plessis and the selectors as they look to finalise World Cup positions.

“ We have been a bit rusty in both the batting and bowling departments,” he admitted ahead of the match on Thursday. “We haven’t put in a performance as close to the one we played in the last ODI in Australia. The injuries do take you back, taking Quinton, Dale and Lungi (Ngidi) out of your team means you are not playing your best team. For me that is okay, the guys who are playing in their spots will be guys who will make up the 15 going to the World Cup. It has been a blessing in disguise that we can look at more players.”

The selectors have continued to trial their pace resources with the inclusion of bizhub Highveld Lions left-arm seamer, Beuran Hendricks, who brings a different variation to the Proteas’ lethal attack. Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi are almost certain to make the trip to the UK, but the last slot for an ‘x-factor’ bowler remains open.

“Those three will go and they will play,” Du Plessis said of Rabada, Steyn and Ngidi. “We need one more fast bowler. We are trying to think ahead in case someone gets injured. The three of them are all bowlers that can take wickets. We feel with the balance of the side and going with our strongest XI, having that x-factor bowler (as a reserve) in our bowling attack is key.”

The costal matches produced relatively low-scoring matches but Du Plessis expects more pace and bounce as the series moves to the highveld for the third and fourth match of the series. Centurion is often a happy hunting ground for the fast bowlers, who have taken 69 percent of the wickets at the ground.

“Centurion and Wanderers should give you that bit of extra bounce,” he said. “The first two wickets were slower and in the bigger picture you want to test yourself in case you get a slow wicket in the World Cup. Looking ahead it will be a good for us (to play on slow wickets) but from a home point of view you always want something with a bit of pace and bounce.”


Friday, 25 January

3rd Momentum ODI

South Africa vs Pakistan

SuperSport Park 13h00

 

[JibranAnsari]

Shan
Imam
Babar
Hafeez
Rizwan
Shadab
Sarfraz
Faheem
Hassan
Amir
Shaheen

Amir and shaheen to take the new ball , hassan and faheem should bowl first and second change.

 

[Shafi]

Shan
Imam
Babar
Hafeez
Rizwan
Shadab
Sarfraz
Faheem
Hassan
Amir
Shaheen

Amir and shaheen to take the new ball , hassan and faheem should bowl first and second change.

This guy's batting is a s bad as Chris Martin. He shouldn't be in the squad let alone playing 11.

 

[aukhan]

Rizwan should play in place of Talat.

 

[aukhan]

SA are a bunch of moaners. Can't wait to see their tears in the World Cup.

Unfair to say this. Looking at their country's history. The anger is justified.