ZA Cricket

From a failed Global T20 league to a Mzansi Super League that seemed like a success but left CSA in debt, to what was first a nameless T20 league and is now pretty much a mini-IPL, it seems like there is always controversy when it comes to CSA having a T20 league. There has obviously been a little less drama around the SA20 compared to the Global T20 league that almost was and the Mzansi Super League that was, then was not, and was again only not to be again.

The first season of the SA20 was a success, and the second season promises to be the same. However, not without sacrifices being made along the way. From sacrificing a white ball series against Australia when it seemed like the Proteas would not qualify directly for the World Cup, to sending a weakened test side to New Zealand. I say weakened because the truth is that not many of these guys would have even seen SA ‘A’ selection. The SA20 has come at a big price for South African cricket. Perhaps a fitting price to pay for CSA considering the scandals of the recent past involving the then CEO and board members? Many South African cricket fans are unhappy about all this, but one really has no choice but to understand. They say, “A man has to do what a man has to do,” CSA being the man in this instance. Cricket South Africa has no choice but to continue with the SA20, even with all the sacrifices that come with it. It is either CSA makes these sacrifices or sacrifices South African cricket entirely. Basically, pulling the plug on the SA20 is as good as pulling the plug on someone on life support.

Okay, now that we are done with the realities of our cricket, let us look at the tour to New Zealand. Coach Shukri will be touring New Zealand with what most people refer to as a ‘C’ team. No disrespect to any of the players, but I do not think some of them are even third options in their respective positions. Anyway, the squad has been picked and will be touring New Zealand as part of the Test Championship. This is not a squad many people are hopeful about, but I do think it is a squad that could possibly challenge New Zealand. I am just not sure that would happen in New Zealand, though. This squad may not look strong on paper, but it boasts some highly talented players, who probably have a future in test cricket. The squad, on its day, can definitely compete against the Kiwis.

The Kiwis will be licking their lips when looking at this squad because this will be their best shot at actually dominating against South Africa in a test series. Kane Williamson alone has 96 test caps, while the SA squad has less than 60 caps, with the most capped player having just 15 caps. If there ever was a test of character for these players, this is definitely it.

It will be interesting to see how coach Shukri lines the team up considering that he picked only one specialist opener and some of the guys picked there are either not in good form currently or were not the best in their respective roles even with others not being available due to the SA20.

There are key areas where the team could either win or lose the series. ★ Opening Position – Chances are that the late announcement of Tony de Zorzi as a signing for the Durban side came at the cost of Shukri’s planning, hence the announcement of a 14-men squad and that with only one opener. It could be that Shukri was looking at Tony to be one of his openers. Be that as it may, this raises a question around whether Shukri kept his options open or he simply focused on certain players and did not consider having other players as cover. With all that being said, it is good to see Eddie Moore finally being added to the squad. Eddie is arguably the next best opener in red ball cricket, and his selection could be great for the side even beyond the New Zealand tour since Dean Elgar has retired. ★ The Bowling Attack – The bowlers are all good as individuals, but I cannot help feeling that the bowling attack lacks ‘bite’ as far as seamers are concerned. Dane Piedt has some test experience and has taken a lot of wickets in red ball cricket. He is actually one of the best spinners in First Class in the country, so he should start, and the other spinner there will just be cover. It is the fast-bowling department that worries me. Dane Paterson is also experienced and has taken loads of wickets in red ball cricket. He will probably lead the bowling attack alongside Duanne Olivier, but the attack lacks the extra pace. The saying, ‘There is no substitute for pace,’ may seem cliché, but any attack needs a bit of extra pace, especially on pitches with less assistance. ★ The Wicket Keeper Position – This selection, for me, is probably the most interesting considering the current form of the selected keeper and the keepers not selected. No doubt, Clyde Fortuin is a quality gloveman and probably one of the best in the country. However, modern cricket requires a wicket keeper to score runs as well, and Clyde’s current form with the bat is not great. Coach Shukri had Qeshile and Moonsamy to choose from and, to some extent, Dithole. Three wicket keepers who are currently in good run-scoring form. One might argue that Clyde averaged 55 last season, but how much does the previous season’s form count for when your current and or most recent form is not good? Selected Wicket Keepers this season in the 4-day series:

1. Rivaldo Moonsamy – 502 runs at 55.77
2. Tshepang Dithole – 417 runs at 52.25 (opens the batting)
3. Sinethemba Qeshile – 332 runs at 41.50
4. Clyde Fortuin – 135 runs at 22.50 There is no need for us to include wicket keeping stats because there is currently no good metric to judge wicket keeping.

They say, ‘You are as good as your bowlers.’ Sinethemba Qeshile (24) and Rivaldo Moonsamy (27) are the youngest of the four mentioned keepers and would have probably made sense considering the struggles of Kyle Verreynne and the retirement of Heinrich Klaasen from red ball cricket. Well, apart from just being the youngest, Qeshile has played SA ‘A’ and has scored a 100 and a 50. The tour to New Zealand will be a great opportunity for the guys to show what they are made of. New Zealand will also be looking to prove that they will not lose to a second-string test side. Perhaps, all this makes for an interesting encounter… an encounter not many South African cricket fans are looking forward to.