The last test match of the decade featuring England starts in SA this Boxing Day.
One unusual fact . South Africa have selected six uncapped newcomers in their test squad to face England at Centurion. Of the six, five are aged thirty and one is aged twenty nine. No out and out 'bring on the youth' policy in South African cricket it seems.
England will be in for a very competitive winter in the differing conditions between South Africa and Sri Lanka.
1
Comments
The recently deposed CSA head has been replaced by Graeme Smith in the past couple of weeks, who no doubt will galvanise the side in his own style and will provide a stiff test for England regardless.
When you consider, from 5 -8 years ago, they have lost the likes of Smith,Kallis,ABDV,Amla,Morkel,Steyn,Olivier,JPD, it is one hell of a depletion in their stocks, not really filled with talent of the same calibre.
I expect the SA side to be as follows...
Markham
Elgar
Du Plessis
Bavuma
VD Dussen
Kock
Philander
Rabada
Nortje
Hendricks
Maharaj
Nortje is quick , very quick - i saw him at Newlands last Friday and he rushed very batsman he came up against.
Hendricks will provide that left arm quick variety.
Cant help but think on the batting front, get past the top 4, and you have a chance of running through them.
Equally, we should have found the collective will to stop the Kolpak flood of white SA cricketers years ago. It may be improving the Championship (slightly) but it's destroying SA cricket.
Obviously, I'm no expert and there are probably good arguments against what I'm saying, but I can't watch SA without wondering how good they could be.
I think any side that loses the players of the calibre i have already mentioned is going to struggle to fill quickly - its just one of those cycles.
One thing that SA always has is a steady production line of quick bowlers, and Nortje is the new one off the block.
To say they are a 'total shambles' and 'mismanage postcolonial transition' (whatever that means) is a bit of an over statement to say the least- a statement of someone who doesnt really know or understand the real situation.
If I were an SA fan, it would be the batting that worries me most, Bavuma is averaging 31 and is batting at four - that looks like a very thin line up to me.
The other SA 'Kolpak' defector not listed above, was Kyle Abbott who tore Australia a new one a couple of years ago, and was a fine bowler.
The only equivalent for England is back in the 80s where disgruntled players would go on rebel tours to S Africa and be banned, leading to the slightly bizarre situation of Gooch being banned in the early 80s and replaced in the team by the likes of the South African Allan Lamb!
Both had excellent records against the Windies, but were rather more supcetible to spin and lateral movement.
I remember the disastrous 1989 Ashes, when 'Judgey' Smith, was the only one who stood between us and complete humiliation, as even the likes of Kim Barnett and Chris Tavare were given a go in the top order.
I think Lambey has had a good life post cricket, but Smith had some very difficult times, but thankfully seems to have found happiness now.
Didn't realise he was 30 though.
Also, one of the reasons for the sell out may be that the temporary stand on the brewery side that they erect for the big test matches will not be there this year, as they are busy building a new stand that wont be ready til next season, so therefore capacity is reduced somewhat.
https://www.iol.co.za/sport/cricket/proteas/graeme-smith-questions-philanders-so-called-injuries-10640493
Must admit, i saw him bowl for Cape Town Blitz last Friday, and he didnt look fit. Bowled at 80 per cent, and the Saffers around me said he has been in and out of the side due to injuries all season.