Boucher’s successor

[Lament]

Just a disclaimer on de Kock: he looks a real exciting (explosive) batting prospect but I have no idea what his keeping skills are like, nor do I know how he'll do in the trials of first class cricket. I don't think he's even played a SS game yet - only the CSA provincial challenge.

Read my top post, or just check the stats here
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/conte...er/379143.html

The kid can keep

[Speedster]

Read my top post, or just check the stats here
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/conte...er/379143.html

The kid can keep

Those first class stats are all at CSA Provincial level, not even SS. I think, to be fair, the kid needs to be given a couple of games at SS level before one can really judge his first class credentials.

[TirNaNog]

If you know there are beter options than you and they will serve the team beter, won’t you retire?, or would you be the John Smit?

Give the selectors some credit.

[Speedster]

If I were to pick a Test keeper for after the England series, I'd lean towards Vilas. Kuhn & Tsolekile are both decent but Vilas gives more long term options. De Kock could be one for the future, but he needs some SS game time first.

[People$champ]

Where does Tami fit in the SA team he is not test grade as keeper or batsmen

AB should only keep in T20 if he must keep he is to big a asset to be behind the stumps risking his back it's no good having him keep and have a injury then his out for a hole series or two.

CSA should just pick 2 keepers under 21 one for test and one for ODI.My reason for this is to blood a keeper and a backup keeper but both should be able to bat in the top 6 use the batsman with the better temperament for test and the better worker of the ball in ODI.

Then they can see who the #1 keeper/batsman is to use as the test one.AB or Amla should only keep if the keeper gets injured during a match.

It's a risk picking a keeper at 29/30 then the cycle needs to be done after 3 or 4 years again.The unions should also try to spot talented keepers and spinners at younger ages as this is what the proteas lack in depth

[Lament]

Those first class stats are all at CSA Provincial level, not even SS. I think, to be fair, the kid needs to be given a couple of games at SS level before one can really judge his first class credentials.

i have to agree, give him 2 years!!

Heino Khun is the obvious 2nd choice, another name that comes to mind is Dane Vilas

Edit, sorry speedster, i see you beat me to it in suggesting Vilas

[DrYes]

I fully agree that we should give de Kock a crack.This BS about players being too young and let them prove themselves at provincial level, needs to stop.
All the great players in test history who have showed some talent at a young age were immediately given international exposure.
Even Boucher started young.
By playing the waiting game talented players start to doubt about their own merit within the Proteas setup and look elsewhere for opportunities.Look at Peterson and Trott.

[Mike Hoxbig]

I fully agree that we should give de Kock a crack.This BS about players being too young and let them prove themselves at provincial level, needs to stop.
All the great players in test history who have showed some talent at a young age were immediately given international exposure.
Even Boucher started young.
By playing the waiting game talented players start to doubt about their own merit within the Proteas setup and look elsewhere for opportunities.Look at Peterson and Trott.

Tendulkar started at 16! Kallis and Boucher both started when they were around 20. If someone has the talent then they will thrive irrespective of the playing conditions, they just need the support and patience!

[People$champ]

I fully agree that we should give de Kock a crack.This BS about players being too young and let them prove themselves at provincial level, needs to stop.
All the great players in test history who have showed some talent at a young age were immediately given international exposure.
Even Boucher started young.
By playing the waiting game talented players start to doubt about their own merit within the Proteas setup and look elsewhere for opportunities.Look at Peterson and Trott.

Agreed we may loose more talented players to play the waiting game.

Give them a shot if they fail they need to work on there game.

Look at Vernon Philander he got dropped then worked at his game now his reaping the reward at test level

[Devill]

I fully agree that we should give de Kock a crack.This BS about players being too young and let them prove themselves at provincial level, needs to stop.
All the great players in test history who have showed some talent at a young age were immediately given international exposure.
Even Boucher started young.
By playing the waiting game talented players start to doubt about their own merit within the Proteas setup and look elsewhere for opportunities.Look at Peterson and Trott.

If you are good enough, you are old enough.

[Speedster]

If you are good enough, you are old enough.

How do you know if he's good enough if he's never even played a SS match? I'm all for picking youngsters but I also think it is unfair, for example, picking a kid for a Test based on his high school credentials.

[DrYes]

The good thing about picking players when they're young is that should they fail they can always come back and make good.
Look at Hayden and now hopefully Rudolph,who after being out of it for 5 years is still under 30, and has many years of cricket ahead of him.
Not so for the likes of Tsolikele.I stiring of bad matches and its game over.He wont be eligeble for re-selection a few years down the line.

[DrYes]

How do you know if he's food enough if he's never even played a SS match? I'm all for picking youngsters but I also think it is unfair, for example, picking a kid for a Test based on his high school credentials.

you mean like Kallis?

[Devill]

How do you know if he's good enough if he's never even played a SS match? I'm all for picking youngsters but I also think it is unfair, for example, picking a kid for a Test based on his high school credentials.

It is a statement in general. I was not refering to anyone in particular. But the point stands, If you are good enough you are old enough.

[Speedster]

you mean like Kallis?

Something you guys are missing, whether with Kallis or Tendulkar, is that they proved themselves at first class level before being drafted into the test team (and I'm not talking about 4 years, but at least a couple of games). Kallis played for WP in the 1993/94 season and only made his debut in Dec 1995. Tendulkar played a full season of first class cricket before being selected for the Indian team. Another point to remember is that neither Kallis nor Tendulkar had stellar starts to their test careers. If we're going to pick youngsters then the public (you and me) need to give these guys some serious slack. I can just see the derogatroy comments on this forum if de Kock gets selected and averages 25 in his first series.

I'm not even sure why this has become an issue, SA cricket has a healthy history of picking youngsters - be it Kallis (21), de Villiers (20), Gibbs (22), Steyn (22), de Lange (21), Adams (18), Duminy (20), Rudolph (22), Parnell (19), Ngam (21) and the list goes on.

Edit: Add Amla (21), Smith (21), Boucher (20)