South Africa will remain a force!

[Hasan123]

Poor test side since 2015. Last time they were outright favourites at a World Cup was back in 2011 and they haven't been a quality ODI side since 2013 atleast.

Not a force to contend with at all .

Since 2015 in tests, they have won home and away against Australia. Beat NZ away from home (something which the number 1 test team can’t do). Also beaten India.

Even in SA weakest era they are achieving things that a good team like India can’t.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Since 2015 in tests, they have won home and away against Australia. Beat NZ away from home (something which the number 1 test team can’t do). Also beaten India.

Even in SA weakest era they are achieving things that a good team like India can’t.

South Africa winning in the Southern Hemisphere is not that big a deal. What did they do in the SC? They were whitewashed completely in SL, Pakistan and in Indua(nearly twice) and were poor in BD as well. That is a terrible record. Not to mention getting beaten twice at home by England and losing to SL as well.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

They won an ODI series vs India in India in 2015. It has been a poor side since 2017.

They were in decline well before that. They lost to both India and Pakistan at the World Cup and their bilateral record was nowhere as good as it used to be. It is true that Saffer cricket has declined even further since 2017 but the tot had set in much earlier.

 

[Hasan123]

South Africa winning in the Southern Hemisphere is not that big a deal. What did they do in the SC? They were whitewashed completely in SL, Pakistan and in Indua(nearly twice) and were poor in BD as well. That is a terrible record. Not to mention getting beaten twice at home by England and losing to SL as well.

England have not lost in SA since 1999. So even strong South African teams have lost to weak English sides.

Graeme Smith great SA team didn’t win India. Not sure why results in Asia are being held against SA when most teams are losing away from home.

The problem is you and other posters think SA should replace players like AB and Kallis the next series. Players like that don’t come around very often. South Africa have a lot of players with potential, they will need time to settle into international cricket. Once they settle and SA new domestic structure kicks in they will go back to being a good team. They probably won’t win much in Asia in tests, but they can be a good LO team and be very difficult to beat at home in tests.

Posters like you and others think SA will go down the Zimbabwe route, that means SA will lose nearly every game in every format, struggle to qualify for WCs. This is very unlikely to happen.

 

[Artaxerxes]

The quota system may do harm to SA cricket but SA is sporting nation(rugby,tennis,golf,football,cricket,golf).I expect them to keep producing good cricketers.The pitches in SA encourage fast bowling.South Africans have strong physique like Australians.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

England have not lost in SA since 1999. So even strong South African teams have lost to weak English sides.

Graeme Smith great SA team didn’t win India. Not sure why results in Asia are being held against SA when most teams are losing away from home.

The problem is you and other posters think SA should replace players like AB and Kallis the next series. Players like that don’t come around very often. South Africa have a lot of players with potential, they will need time to settle into international cricket. Once they settle and SA new domestic structure kicks in they will go back to being a good team. They probably won’t win much in Asia in tests, but they can be a good LO team and be very difficult to beat at home in tests.

Posters like you and others think SA will go down the Zimbabwe route, that means SA will lose nearly every game in every format, struggle to qualify for WCs. This is very unlikely to happen.

Theres a difference between calling SA a poor side and calling them minnows like Zimbavwe. Not sure when I said they will become that bad.
As for calling then a poor side, I'll stick by that. Saffers dont even tour many countries that often not do the plus big 4/5 test series etc. India was criticised heavily for its SENA record in the 2011-2014 period where we struggled and lost pretty much every other match

Surprising that you think that the same standard doesnt apply to SENA teams playing in Asia. Sam's record is even more woeful.

 

[rhony]

England have not lost in SA since 1999. So even strong South African teams have lost to weak English sides.

Graeme Smith great SA team didn’t win India. Not sure why results in Asia are being held against SA when most teams are losing away from home.

The problem is you and other posters think SA should replace players like AB and Kallis the next series. Players like that don’t come around very often. South Africa have a lot of players with potential, they will need time to settle into international cricket. Once they settle and SA new domestic structure kicks in they will go back to being a good team. They probably won’t win much in Asia in tests, but they can be a good LO team and be very difficult to beat at home in tests.

Posters like you and others think SA will go down the Zimbabwe route, that means SA will lose nearly every game in every format, struggle to qualify for WCs. This is very unlikely to happen.

Transition is a secondary issue for them. It's unbelievable that a country with rich AR history has Phehlukwayo as their AR. He's bang on below average with his subpar batting and bowling skills. It's probably not the issue with talent. It's an issue with team selection.

If Markram fulfills his promise, SA will have a solid top 4 (Bavuma included), finishers in Klassen and Miller and two of the best pacers in the world in Rabada and Nortje. That's 8 out of 11 that can turn the game. They were never a spin producing nation and Tahir was an aberration. Ngidi is just average. Ironically , the SA we all were so fond of when growing up because of their strength is bowling and All rounders have an issue with bowlers 3,4,5 and all rounders. Unless they can sort that out, they will remain a mid table team. Van der Dussen has done well as AB's replacement. Bavuma could very well play the role of Duplessis. But you can't be a good team with Ngidi, Phehlukwayo bowling 20 overs.

 

[Dulex9]

South Africa has lost a lot of key players.

I miss the old team with the likes of Donald, Pollock, Boje, Cronje, Cullinan, Rhodes, Kirsten, Crooks, Elworthy, Williams, Hayward, Adam's.

Then Gibbs, Kallis, Dippanaar, Pollock, Boje, Steyn, abdv, Kemp, Hall, Smith, Langervelt etc.

The cricketing world needs a strong South Africa and Pakistan. Miss the likes of Wasim, Waqur, Saqlain, Inzy etc.

 

[Hasan123]

Theres a difference between calling SA a poor side and calling them minnows like Zimbavwe. Not sure when I said they will become that bad.
As for calling then a poor side, I'll stick by that. Saffers dont even tour many countries that often not do the plus big 4/5 test series etc. India was criticised heavily for its SENA record in the 2011-2014 period where we struggled and lost pretty much every other match

Surprising that you think that the same standard doesnt apply to SENA teams playing in Asia. Sam's record is even more woeful.

The difference is India have the players to win in SENA and are number 1 in the world, so of course they are expected to do better in SENA.

All I hear is South African cricket is finished, so why are you expecting them to win in Asia lol? Most teams are struggling away from home, so by that logic every team is finished.

 

[Hasan123]

Transition is a secondary issue for them. It's unbelievable that a country with rich AR history has Phehlukwayo as their AR. He's bang on below average with his subpar batting and bowling skills. It's probably not the issue with talent. It's an issue with team selection.

If Markram fulfills his promise, SA will have a solid top 4 (Bavuma included), finishers in Klassen and Miller and two of the best pacers in the world in Rabada and Nortje. That's 8 out of 11 that can turn the game. They were never a spin producing nation and Tahir was an aberration. Ngidi is just average. Ironically , the SA we all were so fond of when growing up because of their strength is bowling and All rounders have an issue with bowlers 3,4,5 and all rounders. Unless they can sort that out, they will remain a mid table team. Van der Dussen has done well as AB's replacement. Bavuma could very well play the role of Duplessis. But you can't be a good team with Ngidi, Phehlukwayo bowling 20 overs.

If you actually look at Andile Phehlukwayo ODI numbers they are not that bad and that is the only format where he is a regular in.

You have just named a decent team. Ngidi can be replaced by Sipamla or another quick. But Ngidi has over 100 international wickets in about 50 games, that is impressive. If that was someone from Pakistan, we would be hearing how they are an ATG.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

The difference is India have the players to win in SENA and are number 1 in the world, so of course they are expected to do better in SENA.

All I hear is South African cricket is finished, so why are you expecting them to win in Asia lol? Most teams are struggling away from home, so by that logic every team is finished.

I'm sorry if you can't appreciate the difference between being saying"SA cricket is finished" and saying that SA cricket is condemned to middle of the table status which is what I'm implying. For a team that was consistently 1/2 in both formats, they have consistently been below that in the last 6 years. 6 years to transition is quite laughable. For that matter, Pakistan has been in transition since 2003 too and you'd be right using that logic.

 

[Hasan123]

I'm sorry if you can't appreciate the difference between being saying"SA cricket is finished" and saying that SA cricket is condemned to middle of the table status which is what I'm implying. For a team that was consistently 1/2 in both formats, they have consistently been below that in the last 6 years. 6 years to transition is quite laughable. For that matter, Pakistan has been in transition since 2003 too and you'd be right using that logic.

South Africa are a mid ranking side right now. That is fair enough. But I think over the next few years that will change.

 

[Rana]

Imagine losing to Pakistan at home and not being able to select your preferred 1st team players

The force is weak right now

 

[rhony]

If you actually look at Andile Phehlukwayo ODI numbers they are not that bad and that is the only format where he is a regular in.

You have just named a decent team. Ngidi can be replaced by Sipamla or another quick. But Ngidi has over 100 international wickets in about 50 games, that is impressive. If that was someone from Pakistan, we would be hearing how they are an ATG.

SA is like NZ minus Williamson. Lot of good players without a great. They will remain in the mid table until they get a great batsman. De Kock hasn't kicked on to the next level. Markram is just a promise and has been for 3 years. Du Plessis retirement was a blow but he wasn't great either. I think they played to their potential in this series and this is their max level for a while.

 

[Ab Fan]

In terms of skill-sets, QDk is probably the second most talented SA batsman since readmission.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Based on the series here, if they pick a team like this

QDK
Jaanemann
Bavuma
RVD
Veryanne
Miller
Phephlokewo
Maharaj
Rabada
Hendricks
Nortje

They will have a gun team suitable for most conditions. Shamsi can replace Hendricks in conditions that assist spin and they will still be very competitive. Add to that they have good backup all-rounders in Pretorious and Chris Morris but the quota system may make it hard for them to get in the playing 11 unless they replace Nortje.

Talent isn't really an issue for Saffers.

 

[Last Monetarist]

In terms of skill-sets, QDk is probably the second most talented SA batsman since readmission.

Nah, not by any measure. If you look at overall talent, Kallis and Amla are way ahead. If it's comparing the sheer array of attacking strokes then Gibbs was superior. de Kock is mentally weaker than all of them obviously.

 

[Hasan123]

SA is like NZ minus Williamson. Lot of good players without a great. They will remain in the mid table until they get a great batsman. De Kock hasn't kicked on to the next level. Markram is just a promise and has been for 3 years. Du Plessis retirement was a blow but he wasn't great either. I think they played to their potential in this series and this is their max level for a while.

JP Malan and Kyle Verreynne look like good players. South Africa will take a couple of years but they will be back to being a top team.

 

[sam_ahm]

Plenty of positives for South Africa from this series. They are anything but finished. This series has given a glimpse of South Africa's future in Janneman and Verreynne and has shown the kind of depth they still posses.

The good part is that a lot of good colored players are also coming through, the likes of Bavuma, Phelukwayo have done reasonably well. Maharaj looks a fine prospect in ODIs too along with Shamsi. Zubayr Hamza and Stuurman can also push their cases in the upcoming season.

Transformation targets should not hamper them as long as they rotate their players properly across formats over a season.

 

[Hasan123]

Plenty of positives for South Africa from this series. They are anything but finished. This series has given a glimpse of South Africa's future in Janneman and Verreynne and has shown the kind of depth they still posses.

The good part is that a lot of good colored players are also coming through, the likes of Bavuma, Phelukwayo have done reasonably well. Maharaj looks a fine prospect in ODIs too along with Shamsi. Zubayr Hamza and Stuurman can also push their cases in the upcoming season.

Transformation targets should not hamper them as long as they rotate their players properly across formats over a season.

The quota rule is for the calnder year not per game or per series. This is something which posters don't understand . So it should not affect South Africa too much.

I hope Kyle Verreynne and JP Malan get a run in ODIs and tests.

 

[pakistanisgreat]

South African cricket future looks good. Unless players go to kolpak deal if that still exist.

 

[Hasan123]

South African cricket future looks good. Unless players go to kolpak deal if that still exist.

Kolpak is over. If any SA cricketer plays county cricket they will count as an overseas player.

 

[Rana]

South African cricket future looks good. Unless players go to kolpak deal if that still exist.

I don’t know about South Africa but England, New Zealand and now Australian future is in safe hands...

 

[Rana]

Basically...

England, New Zealand and Australia will always remain a force as long as white South African schoolboys remain interested in cricket as a profession.

Maybe Ireland and Scotland can have a piece of the cake too..

 

[Rana]

The force providing Pakistan with all the opportunities to break records!

 

[Hasan123]

Why would you bump this thread when it's not their first team? Even so their back up 11 ran Pakistan first team close . So imagine what there first 11 could do lol.

 

[bujhee kom]

They have a good system which ensures a solid pipeline.

 

[Mesozoic]

Why would you bump this thread when it's not their first team? Even so their back up 11 ran Pakistan first team close . So imagine what there first 11 could do lol.

When India were smashing Australia B in T20s a few months ago, the usual suspects were loading up on excuses. Now they're the ones doing bhangra after barely scrapping through South Africa W

I mean nothing wrong with celebrating a win at int'l stage but atleast try not to sound like a grade A hypocrite...

 

[Rana]

When India were smashing Australia B in T20s a few months ago, the usual suspects were loading up on excuses...

Now they're the ones doing bhangra after barely scrapping through South Africa W

I mean nothing wrong with celebrating a win at int'l stage but atleast try not to sound like a grade A hypocrite...

At liberty with reality as usual.

Is there any reason not to bump this after Pakistan recorded their best chase in T20 and that too against SA in SA?

 

[Hasan123]

When India were smashing Australia B in T20s a few months ago, the usual suspects were loading up on excuses. Now they're the ones doing bhangra after barely scrapping through South Africa W

I mean nothing wrong with celebrating a win at int'l stage but atleast try not to sound like a grade A hypocrite...

Exactly. I have clarified already it will take a couple of years so don't get why a certain someone is bumping this after every game.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Getting blitzed here. Closest among top 6 teams that might go the Windies route.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Getting blitzed here. Closest among top 6 teams that might go the Windies route.

Unfair. This is their B side. A lot of their main players are at the IPL.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Unfair. This is their B side. A lot of their main players are at the IPL.

Even B side shouldn't be this hapless especially while defending 200 +

 

[Mamoon]

Their batting depth is quite good but their bowling bench is worse than Zimbabwe and Kenya.

 

[Mamoon]

When you let Babar and Rizwan score at 12 an over, nothing more needs to be said about your bowling performance. It was embarrassing to watch.

 

[Ab Fan]

The list of humiliations that South African cricket has seen over past 2-3 years is increasing quite rapidly now.

1. A humiliating test series whitewash to Sri Lanka of all teams at home conditions.

2. World Cup loss to Bangladesh and a lucky escape from Windies.

3. Both ODIs and T20 series losses to Pakistan team at home.

This is getting worse. South African cricket team management should serve an apology to its fans for this disgraceful performance.

 

[gazza619]

When you let Babar and Rizwan score at 12 an over, nothing more needs to be said about your bowling performance. It was embarrassing to watch.

What about the previous game? Didnt their bowlers restrict Pakistan to a low score?

It was Pakistan’s bowling that won them the game today by the way. It was an absolute batting paradise.

 

[Yasir_ch]

Batting talent seems decent with players like malan and others but their bowling is awful apart from nortje and kagiso all other bowlers seem rubbish.Ngidi and company are awful.

 

[bujhee kom]

RSA has plenty of talent, especially with the bat. Markham, Malan, Russie, Verryman (sp) - all top tier talents. Bowling resources seem a bit thinner.

 

[Mamoon]

What about the previous game? Didnt their bowlers restrict Pakistan to a low score?

It was Pakistan’s bowling that won them the game today by the way. It was an absolute batting paradise.

They bowled well the other day but they bowled worse than Kenya U15 today.

If I was the South African bowling coach, I would resign immediately.

 

[Rana]

Imagine being Kock, Rabada, Nortje, Miller and Faf watching this hammering whilst being in an IPL bubble.

These guys need to be sacked from CSA

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Imagine being Kock, Rabada, Nortje, Miller and Faf watching this hammering whilst being in an IPL bubble.

These guys need to be sacked from CSA

Honestly, if I was CSA selector, I’d drop every player that participated in the IPL for the WT20.

It’s about time CSA shows the players whose boss.

 

[Rana]

Honestly, if I was CSA selector, I’d drop every player that participated in the IPL for the WT20.

It’s about time CSA shows the players whose boss.

This is why I feel this thread is at liberty with reality...

As soon as the current decent players they have get picked up in the IPL or other T20 leagues, they will also look to desert South Africa just like the current senior pros have.

South African national team is becoming a good breeding ground for IPL sides to pick up marketable South African cricketers who would rather look for a way out instead of playing a 15 year international career

 

[Rana]

Sorry even if this state, South Africa are a better team than Bangladesh, West Indies, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Ok.

Lost home and away to Pakistan within a space of months...

 

[Rana]

Pakistan fans talking about South African cricket being in trouble, imagine how much trouble a team who has won 3 bilateral ODI series against top teams since 2005 is in. Not even gonna talk about their embarrassing performance in Australia and South Africa in recent years. Same Pakistan who lost in all formats to this South African side last year and lost to them in T20s when they were ranked number one LOL.

Sorry but what?

 

[Rana]

Since 2015 in tests, they have won home and away against Australia. Beat NZ away from home (something which the number 1 test team can’t do). Also beaten India.

Even in SA weakest era they are achieving things that a good team like India can’t.

Going by this Logic, Pakistan should walk over the current Indian side

 

[SangasCoverDrive]

Losing to Ireland. This is what happens when you select players on the basis of their skin color rather than talent. Imagine if SA had Campher and Carse instead of Phehlukwayo. They would have remained a force. Mind you this is the one main team of SA barring QdK.

 

[sam_ahm]

Well when they comprehensively beat West Indies in Tests and also won the 5 match T20 series there was nothing said, one defeat against Ireland and we shouldn't behave as if South Africa are done and dusted.

Even England lost to Ireland last year. They can at times pull off big wins.

Still South Africa has problems, no doubt about it, transformation is one of them. I hope they will eventually find world class colored players like Hashim, Ntini, Rabada, Duminy, but as of now they'll have to manage with what they have and keep rotating players.

 

[King_Kohli]

Hundred for Jannemann Malan, he has 2 hundreds and 2 fifty from just 6 innings of ODI.

 

[SangasCoverDrive]

The only reason they have not gone down the WI route yet is bc they have de Kock. Once he retires, they are going downhill.

 

[Ab Fan]

The only reason they have not gone down the WI route yet is bc they have de Kock. Once he retires, they are going downhill.

Rabada too.

 

[MenInG]

This is only going to get worse for South Africa. No end in sight for their misery.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

This is only going to get worse for South Africa. No end in sight for their misery.

It's self inflicted, and deserved. Our rugby had to suffer the worst defeat ever, and lowest rank ever before they woke up. We can only hope the same happens to cricket.

 

[sam_ahm]

This thread deserves a bump after South Africa have beaten the No. 1 ranked test team in the world, and they've done it without their fastest bowler Anrich Nortje.

Some really good players coming through, let's not forget that even in t20 wc they lost only one match, narrowly to eventual champions.

 

[ChTab]

This thread deserves a bump after South Africa have beaten the No. 1 ranked test team in the world, and they've done it without their fastest bowler Anrich Nortje.

Big win for SA with a big margin they definitely deserve some credit.

Some really good players coming through, let's not forget that even in t20 wc they lost only one match, narrowly to eventual champions.

In batting they're still very depleted, they do have some good players coming through but I don't think they have any amazing batting talent in their domestic setup as well.

My prediction for SA cricket is that they will keep on struggling vs big teams. They're truly an average team now which is IMO on par with Pakistan.

Tier 1 (all formats): Aus, Ind, NZ & Eng
Tier 2 (all formats): SA & Pak
Tier 3 (all formats): SL, WI & Ban

 

[Amjid Javed]

SA pace bowling options are good. Spin options are decent.

The batting baring Elgar is pretty poor. Yes they have alot of inexperienced players but some of these players need to step up and scoring big runs rather then nice 20s and 30s.

Also the fascination of playing 6 batsmen and 5 bowlers, when there top is poor and there so called all rounder at 7 is mediocre means there tail starts at 7 which will be exposed atleast 8 out of 10 times. Also at times do they real need 5 bowling options, there was no need for a spinner in either test this series.

 

[BreadPakoda]

This thread deserves a bump after South Africa have beaten the No. 1 ranked test team in the world, and they've done it without their fastest bowler Anrich Nortje.

They beat a heavily depleted no. 1 team at home. The no. 1 team missed their captain, star opener, and had one bowler injured during the game. The stand in captain wasn’t even a first choice player till a few series back.

Nonetheless, well played SA. As we’ve seen before, even a depleted team India is a force to reckon with.

 

[shah_1]

They keep producing quality fast bowlers

 

[sam_ahm]

What say now folks?

Still want to bring back AB?
Still think De Kock has left a 'sinking ship'?
Still think they are a quota team?

 

[Ozymandiasza]

What say now folks?

Still want to bring back AB?
Still think De Kock has left a 'sinking ship'?
Still think they are a quota team?

More of a reflection on India I feel.

 

[Varun]

South Africa are not going to sink without a trace like Sri Lanka.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Temba Bavuma! Take a bow. What a player. I believe he can run 100 meters under 11.5 seconds.

 

[Rana]

If it comes at the expense of beating India, May the Force always be with South Africa!

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

It's self inflicted, and deserved. Our rugby had to suffer the worst defeat ever, and lowest rank ever before they woke up. We can only hope the same happens to cricket.

What happened to Zubair Hamza? He looked very promising at the start of his career.

I think a team like the below one would do decently in South African conditions.

Markram
Elgar
Keegan
RvD
Bavuma
Hamza
Vereyyne
Jansen
Rabada
Ngidi
Nortje

What do you think about it?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

More of a reflection on India I feel.

Yep. We need a lot of replacements for Yadav, ishant, shami, ashwin, rahane etc. the next couple of years.

SA bowling attack looks extremely threatening at home. Jansen looks great. Him and Keegan Petersen have been revelations this series.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

What happened to Zubair Hamza? He looked very promising at the start of his career.

I think a team like the below one would do decently in South African conditions.

Markram
Elgar
Keegan
RvD
Bavuma
Hamza
Vereyyne
Jansen
Rabada
Ngidi
Nortje

What do you think about it?

I'm not sure players are to blame, but a deep administrative and political incompetence. AB's "retirement" should have been a major red flag. But imho, Ngidi should be a limited overs specialist, and Bavuma should retire.

 

[sam_ahm]

What happened to Zubair Hamza? He looked very promising at the start of his career.

I think a team like the below one would do decently in South African conditions.

Markram
Elgar
Keegan
RvD
Bavuma
Hamza
Vereyyne
Jansen
Rabada
Ngidi
Nortje

What do you think about it?

Hamza is part of the ODI squad.

 

[sam_ahm]

More of a reflection on India I feel.

We can't deny South Africa have played well. Even in the T20 WC I thought they played really well.

Yes I'm not saying they are back to being a great team again, not yet, and yes there are still a lot of weaknesses in this team but still they have punched above their weight here and deserve credit.

 

[zacattakk]

I haven't watched the series but I get a sense that, similar to Australia, even when South Africa have a relatively average/weak team they are still very tough to beat at home, especially for a subcontinental team.

 

[MenInG]

South Africa looking strong again with 2 back-to-back wins against India in T20Is

 

[James]

Looks like they are officially back.

 

[silentkiller187]

While the India squad for Ireland series saw someone like Rahul Tripathi getting his maiden national call-up, another quality player like Rahul Tewatia's wait to make it to the national squad continued. The all-rounder played a crucial role for newbies Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022. He scored 217 runs across 12 innings at a strike rate of 147.62. Soon after India's 17-member squad for the Ireland series was announced, Tewatia took to Twitter to say "expectations hurts (sic)". However, former South Africa captain Graeme Smith is of the opinion that he should rather focus on his game than the social media.

"We know he (Rahul Tewatia) has done well. There are numbers of players in that squad who have done well. That's the thing, there is so much competition for places. I would say to him, 'stay off Twitter, focus on your game, perform'. Make sure that next time the squad comes out no one can leave you out because you have bashed that door down," Smith said on Star Sports.

Smith hinted that Tewatia would not be in the plans of India's selection committee for the T20 World Cup, starting October 16 in Australia.

"India has got so many talented players. The selectors, Rahul (Dravid) and Rohit (Sharma) they will have an idea of what the majority of the squad is going to look like and who are the players vying for other squad positions, what is the balance of the team. Remember, you are playing in Australia, the conditions, the grounds, so that's got to go all into your thinking, in terms of building your squad that goes to the World Cup," the South African added.

https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/sta...n-t20-star-3086746#pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories

 

[sweep_shot]

They are not as good as before but still quite good.

I think they are #6 currently (behind England, India, NZ, Australia, and Pakistan).

 

[Ab Fan]

It was quite a hilarious thread created by a poster who generally used to dislike SA players but started supporting them after they lost to Pakistan.

 

[MenInG]

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith says the Proteas have a difficult decision to make regarding whether to select Faf du Plessis for this year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Du Plessis is among a group of players that are no longer contracted by Cricket South Africa and it remains to be seen whether any free agents will be selected to play for the Proteas at the T20 showcase that starts in Australia in October.

Smith was Director of Cricket at Cricket South Africa when it was decided that free agents would not take part in last year's event in Dubai and a similar decision now awaits selectors ahead of this year's tournament.

"South Africa have got an equation where they have to figure out what their best XI is," Smith said on Star Sports.

"Players are playing in leagues around the world...how much time can he (du Plessis) give to South Africa in the lead up to the World Cup."

While du Plessis has long been retired at international level in the longer forms of the game, he is yet to officially call it quits at 20-over cricket despite his most recent appearance for South Africa coming at the end of 2020.

His talent remains unquestioned and du Plessis is still well renowned as a big game player having showed plenty of star qualities at the last two editions of the IPL.

Last year du Plessis produced a brilliant knock to help Chennai Super Kings to a fourth IPL title, while in 2022 he scored 468 runs to help Royal Challengers Bangalore past the Eliminator stage of the tournament.

Du Plessis has also been pivotal for the Proteas previously at T20 level, with the 37-year-old having scored the fourth most runs for the country in 20-over cricket.

"Do they pick him straight for the World Cup or should he part of the build-up where he understands the team culture, the thinking, training and preparing," Smith pondered.

"India doesn’t face that challenge but for other nations (dealing with) free agents is a difficult one.

"We know Faf has the ability, the team has to decide how much time he needs to spend with the team."

Smith said he hadn't spoken to du Plessis recently and was unsure whether the former skipper would be interested in committing to play the four-week long tournament in Australia.

"Maybe he is in that phase of his life where is happy to play the leagues, he is retired maybe from international cricket, maybe that’s where he wants to be," Smith said.

The T20 World Cup commences on October 16, with South Africa's first match coming on October 24 in Hobart against a qualifier from the First Round.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2652142

 

[MenInG]

Former South Africa quick Morne Morkel wants selectors to take a chance and include star batter Faf du Plessis in the Proteas' squad for this year's ICC T20 World Cup.

While du Plessis no longer holds a playing contract with Cricket South Africa, the 37-year-old showed he still has what it takes to perform well at the top level by making 468 runs during the recent IPL tournament for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli at the IPL earlier this yearFaf du Plessis and Virat Kohli at the IPL earlier this year
Selectors overlooked du Plessis for last year's T20 World Cup in Dubai and now face a similar dilemma as to whether they include the veteran right-hander in their squad for this year's edition of the 20-over showcase.

Former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith recently suggested du Plessis should be considered for the four-week long tournament and Morkel agrees.

"You want all your big-name players to play and Faf is still playing well at the age of 37," Morkel told ICC Digital at an event in Melbourne to celebrate 100 days until the start of the T20 World Cup in Australia.

"He is still playing well, moving well in the field and he has done exceptionally well for RCB (in the IPL).

"I would like to see those experienced players in the side.

"That is up to them (Cricket South Africa) to work out, but I am definitely a big fan of it."

Whether du Plessis wins a spot in South Africa's squad remains to be seen, but Morkel is still confident his former side can be competitive at the T20 World Cup this year regardless of whether he is included.

The Proteas drew their most recent T20 series 2-2 away from home against India and have a fearsome bowling attack led by towering quick Kagiso Rabada and experienced spinner Tabraiz Shamsi.

That pair took eight wickets each at last year's tournament and Morkel expects a similar performance this time around.

"I honestly believe they have an attack that is going to suit these conditions well," Morkel noted.

"Kagiso Rabada is a world class performer, Anrich Nortje did very well at the IPL and Shamsi is a quality spinner.

"I do believe that it is a well-balanced squad and in T20 cricket these days the teams are so close."

But it is with the bat that Morkel believes South Africa can surprise, with the former pacer expecting big things from a Proteas' top-order that includes skipper Temba Bavuma and classy opener Quinton de Kock.

"From a batting perspective, you can't not mention Quinton De Kock as he has been in some fantastic form," Morkel said.

"Aiden Markram is another quality player, while Bevuma finds the way to score runs and rotate the strike although he is not is not your conventional T20 player.

"On these big fields (in Australia) where you can hit pockets and run well, he is going to be a big player."

The T20 World Cup commences on October 16, with South Africa's first match coming on October 24 in Hobart against a qualifier from the First Round.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2672205

 

[MenInG]

As a child, he loved watching and playing the game, and as an adult he is trying to restore the game he loves to where it belongs.

Just over a year into his tenure as Chairperson of the Board of Directors at Cricket South Africa (CSA), Lawson Naidoo is a man at the forefront of a mission.

This mission involves restoring SA cricket to the pinnacle of the world game.

Naidoo has strong pedigree to fulfil his objective. He may not have played at a professional level, but his passion for the game has always been unbounded, whether it was with administration, playing or simply spectating. Involvement in cricket has been prevalent throughout the more than 50 years of his life.

He is the founding member and Captain of the Spin Doctors Cricket Club, a team established in 1998 and which plays under the auspices of the Friendly Cricketers Association in Cape Town.

Naidoo has also written about cricket in South Africa, having been a columnist for The Wisden Cricketer in the mid-2000’s

Rewind 50 years and he takes us back to his first memories of the sport as a young boy.

“My first memories of cricket are from being at the 1969-70 Test match when South Africa played Australia at Kingsmead in Durban,” he recalls. “I was very young then, just 6 or 7, but it started a lifelong affinity for the game.

“So it was from there where it all started, I loved the game and watched it and played it.”

Naidoo is now a prominent civil society activist and leader, who boasts a CV full of pedigree.

He has over 30 years’ experience in the political, parliamentary, corporate and nongovernmental sectors. He holds a Masters’ degree in law from the University of Cambridge.

These currently include being the founding partner for The Paternoster Group: African Political Insight since 2015, Trustee for Momentum Health Medical Scheme and Chairman of its Governance & Remuneration Committee.

Naidoo has also successfully led one of the country’s foremost non-governmental organisations - the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) - for the past 12 years. He has been a key figure for CASAC in advocating for adherence to constitutional values and principles, in particular accountability, transparency and respect for the rule of law, qualities needed by CSA.

Amongst some of his other accomplishments, the CSA Board Chairperson has worked in various sectors and served at the ANC Mission in the United Kingdom and Ireland in the late 1980s and early 90s.

“Even when I was out of the country, my passion for the game never waned,” he says. “I followed the game, played it and remained an avid follower right through.

Now that Naidoo has been brought into the boardroom of the highest cricket authority in the land, he wants to make a real difference.

“My hopes and dreams are to strengthen the foundations for cricket in South Africa,” he continued. “I want to help make it a sustainable game, broaden and deepen its foundations, and to attract new players, fans and sponsors.

“We need to grow the game and make sure that South African cricket can be globally competitive once again.”

Naidoo, who also now represents CSA at the International Cricket Council (ICC), firmly believes that South African cricket can achieve the success it rightly deserves.

“Our cricket belongs at the very top of the international game,” he added. “We certainly have the talent, we have the infrastructure and the systems in place.

“As a board we need to make sure that all of those foundations are strong enough so that the players can focus on the game and ensure success on the field.”

 

[Rana]

Well tbf they absolutely mauled England in Durham yesterday

 

[Moeey]

I think they are hot favourites to win t20 in all honesty.
Top 2 Side.

 

[MenInG]