Theunis de Bruyn - First Impressions

[BunnyRabbit]

So what do you guys suggest?
I watched him bat in previous 5 Tests and tbh I didn't rate him one bit. Considered him to be a softie like Van Zyl and Vilas. But seeing him bat yesterday against SL on a rank turner, and to play with such a composed knock on day 4 pitch against Herath and co makes me think he's not a domestic king only.
Seems to be finding his feet in international cricket. The heartening thing to see was he batted at no. 3, a batting position that has been way too problematic since 2014. With Amla declining, I think if he can do good at no. 3, it might do a world of good of Proteas. In addition, he also bowls some tidy medium pace, which can give them depth in bowling.

Your thoughts?

 

[Abdullah719]

‘I'd like to make No.3 spot my own one day’ – Theunis de Bruyn

Given a chance at his favourite position in the batting order, Theunis de Bruyn came up with a battling century in South Africa’s second Test against Sri Lanka.

It wasn’t enough to win, or even save, the Test match for South Africa, but de Bruyn, and Temba Bavuma to an extent, did give the visiting side a bit of hope for a while in Colombo against Sri Lanka.

It didn’t last, and South Africa went down by 199 runs to concede the series 2-0, but de Bruyn had reason to be happy after scoring his maiden century in his sixth Test, an innings of 101 scored in over four hours against a bowling attack his more experienced teammates struggled to cope with.

Happily for de Bruyn, he scored his runs from No.3, his preferred spot in the batting order.

“For me, it does make a difference batting at No 3. I've batted there my whole career, even as a youngster. The waiting game when you're batting at six and seven mentally drains you – I don't know, I'm not used to it,” he said.

“But I wanted to do really well batting at No 3. It's a place I really cherish and I'd like to make it my own one day if I get more opportunities.”

Bavuma (63) got together with de Bruyn with South Africa at 113/5 in their second innings, chasing 490 for victory. Sri Lanka might have expected a quick finish but it wasn’t to be.

“Temba actually came in and played quite comfortably. He scored runs all the way through his innings and could start ticking over the strike,” said de Bruyn. “I think we almost had the same game plan – to sweep a lot and reverse sweep, and hit your ones over the leg-side.

“I think we both learned a lot over the last few hours, playing against the Sri Lankan spinners on this wicket.”

De Bruyn might not have played the Test at all if South Africa had done better than 126 and 73 in the first Test. When he did, he certainly grabbed his chance, and played the sweep with great expertise.

“Back home you don't need the sweep, because we play on bouncier wickets and you can play spinners down the ground. But here, you know they're bowling in good areas, and the wickets don't bounce as much. The sweep is a better option,” he pointed out.

“For me, it was important to get the fielders out on the boundary early on, especially with the new ball. If you're just defending, it can be difficult. So, if you put the bowlers slightly under pressure, you can get the fielders out. I didn't know it was going to take that long to get a hundred. They just don't let you go. They keep on bowling very accurately. It's Test cricket. It's not easy.”

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/788394

 

[TeymurBlake]

Yaaay 1,000

Anyway I believe his knock against Sri Lanka was a good knock considering the conditions and opposition. On the other hand I don't really think he should be a No.3 batsman for South Africa. Maybe Du Plessis or Bavuma could come in or maybe moving Elgar down once Amla's done.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Looks a decent batsman.He did really well in the last in ings compared to the rest of the batsmen in the whole series.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Yaaay 1,000

Congrats on your 1000th

Anyway I believe his knock against Sri Lanka was a good knock considering the conditions and opposition. On the other hand I don't really think he should be a No.3 batsman for South Africa. Maybe Du Plessis or Bavuma could come in or maybe moving Elgar down once Amla's done.

Amla's done. The best SA could do is to push him down the order so he could face the oldish ball and coax from Amla with what's left of him.
Don't think Temba is a guy for top 4, 5 or 6 is the best for him as he thrives on counter attacks even though his strike rate hovers around late 40s or 50s. Faf is hell bent on batting at 5, so it leaves Hash at 4 and temba at 6.
I would actually have Theunis at 3, Faf at 4 and Hash at 5 with temba and dekock to follow.

 

[EliteCynical]

This guy is going to be the next batting superstar from SA. mark my words. I was highly impressed with his technique against spin. Even in the first innings, he was a tad unlucky, used his reach to smother the ball, played really late. Plays the sweep shot well. Has everything that is needed to go big at international stage. Good luck, i will keep a close eye on him

 

[pratiktc]

Good young batsman. With quota system, he has to wait for Faf to retire to nail a place in XI. Should not be more than a year though

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Good young batsman. With quota system, he has to wait for Faf to retire to nail a place in XI. Should not be more than a year though

Amla is starting to feel shaky at 3, Bavuma won't always play if he isn't performing. He may not have to wait that long

 

[Ab Fan]

He tackled SL spinners very well. Looks like a good find.