Proteas vs West Indies: 2014/15

[MickeyD]

Very smart of CSA to go for Bavuma and make AB keep.

As I predicted... We will win the first Test and Bavuma will play at St George's Park. Robbie Peterson will come in for Abbott as you must have a spinner in PE.

 

[ZCFOutkast]

ZCFOutcast seems to be smoking that special blend you can only find in the Caribbean.

To suggest Thami is a insane.

And I'm pretty sure you have a prefect cricket argument. Chuck in fellow veterans Vilas&MvW to fail and they'll simply be given more time by you lot like all the other non-Thami non-Tsotsobe players. Thami has scored bundles of runs against stronger attacks for SA-A sides. Currently among the top run-makers in the Sunfoil Series. He was the heir apparent to Boucher and it's not like QdK has given sufficient confidence in Tests to suggest that we might not have to try another keeper-batsman soon. Anyway justice will be served at some point.

 

[MickeyD]

And I'm pretty sure you have a prefect cricket argument. Chuck in fellow veterans Vilas&MvW to fail and they'll simply be given more time by you lot like all the other non-Thami non-Tsotsobe players. Thami has scored bundles of runs against stronger attacks for SA-A sides. Currently among the top run-makers in the Sunfoil Series. He was the heir apparent to Boucher and it's not like QdK has given sufficient confidence in Tests to suggest that we might not have to try another keeper-batsman soon. Anyway justice will be served at some point.

The same argument applies to him as per MvW - too old.

 

[ZCFOutkast]

As I predicted... We will win the first Test and Bavuma will play at St George's Park. Robbie Peterson will come in for Abbott as you must have a spinner in PE.

But just like Rabada ahead of other more suitable bowlers like Tsotsobe&Morris his team-mates at the Lions, or even Rory, Bavuma's selection ahead of Rossouw&Farhaan is hard to argue violently. The natural change is Tsolekile in for QdK. Experienced competent keeper-bat who has to play. As for a spinner we know what RobbieP&Tahir can or cannot do in Tests, why not turn to Leie if we want to suit conditions? He'll fetch but snare a few in the process. CSA&Proteas are simply too rigid! No wonder the CWC will remain a mere pipedream.

 

[ZCFOutkast]

The same argument applies to him as per MvW - too old.

Yes but how on earth will we argue to our grandkids when we relate cricket in SA and transformation that Tjami had al his best years after his Test debut over 10 years ago but never again got a chance despite injuries to Boucher, AB, QdK and guarantees from administrators? Make no mistake he's done enoufh and in the light of transformation, barring Tsotsobe no other Black player right now can claim to be a genuine Test option. Yet both are not in themix. That's a traversty whichever way anyone wants to look at it. Thami for QdK should be a no brainer. It's just for 2 Tests. AB should worry about moving up the order.

 

[Dan C]

As I predicted... We will win the first Test and Bavuma will play at St George's Park. Robbie Peterson will come in for Abbott as you must have a spinner in PE.

I want to watch the game at St George's .. is it ok to pitch my tent for 5 days in your backyard ?

 

[Stefanmuller]

And I'm pretty sure you have a prefect cricket argument. Chuck in fellow veterans Vilas&MvW to fail and they'll simply be given more time by you lot like all the other non-Thami non-Tsotsobe players. Thami has scored bundles of runs against stronger attacks for SA-A sides. Currently among the top run-makers in the Sunfoil Series. He was the heir apparent to Boucher and it's not like QdK has given sufficient confidence in Tests to suggest that we might not have to try another keeper-batsman soon. Anyway justice will be served at some point.

Just forget about Tsolekile. He simply is not a good enough batsmen and averages 30 vs Vilas who averages 41. Our tail would be too long.

 

[sox63]

Why pick a batsman if you're not gonna play him ffs!! Tsolekile all over again. They don't even replace QdK with wicketkeeper, so now AB will do the rest of the glove work and who wants to bet his back problems flare up again?

Perfect chance to give a young guy a chance against weak opposition, but its been squandered.

*rant off*

 

[MickeyD]

Why pick a batsman if you're not gonna play him ffs!! Tsolekile all over again. They don't even replace QdK with wicketkeeper, so now AB will do the rest of the glove work and who wants to bet his back problems flare up again?

Perfect chance to give a young guy a chance against weak opposition, but its been squandered.

*rant off*

Which young keeper would you select?

 

[sox63]

Which young keeper would you select?

Why must he be young? Vilas just scored a century, why not pick him? Reward performance, otherwise tell older players they have no shot of a chance

EDIT: He scored 89 not a century

 

[MickeyD]

Why must he be young? Vilas just scored a century, why not pick him? Reward performance, otherwise tell older players they have no shot of a chance

EDIT: He scored 89 not a century

What about Rudi Second?

 

[sox63]

What about Rudi Second?

Haven't really seen, or rather heard a lot about him to be honest

 

[MickeyD]

Haven't really seen, or rather heard a lot about him to be honest

He's probably the form specialist keeper/batsman of the season.

 

[sox63]

He's probably the form specialist keeper/batsman of the season.

All the more reason he should have been picked. Point I'm trying to make is that the selectors are doing the guys in the background a disservice.

Cant pick people to be tourists in the squad and not reward performance when a spot opens up due to injury

 

[ZCFOutkast]

Rudi Second may be young and recently among the high run getters, but that utterly flies in the face of unrewarded yet consistently good performances by Thami Tsolekile over the years/seasons for both FC & SA A sides. You forget that he was inexplicably culled from a central contract. What cannot be ignored is that there are unavoidable transformation goals, and Thami is a perfect fit for the side in its present situation. He will deliver, of that I have no doubt. Besides I find it weird that people think QdK's form will keep this debate closed for too long. He hasn't really impressed in Tests so far, while he's really been setup to fail in the long run in opening in LOIs. As the selectors are forced to recycle Vilas, MvW, Second etc, what makes you think it will be easy to avoid explaining why AB refuses to keep for stability when he was all too glad to do it before, despite his back problems being well known? Will it not rightly be translated as "he always put his hand up just to block Thami replacing Boucher" if he decides not to keep? Bear in mind that AB didn't move up the order. He's remained at 5 in Tests.

I seriously think you guys underestimate how this will pan out. I see distaster written all over it. Just be careful not to say Ntini is a racist when he opens his mouth again. He'll be pretty much spot on this time ... as he was in the first in my opinion. Rudi Second ahead of Thami Tsolekile while Eng&AUS had the middling old Prior&Haddin respectively (not to mention Boucher's sickeningly prolonged underwhelming presence for the Proteas only cut short by injury), and AUS have a long line of young excellent keepers yet maintain faith in poor Haddin snubbed of captaincy?

In one article 3yr old Andrew Puttick and 36 yr old Morne Van Wyk are being touted as replacements if QdK doesn't come right soon for the LOIs and AB refuses to keep. I see no reason why age should be a factor where Thami and the Test XI are concerned. Not too long ago Jacques Rudolph scored runs (just like Thami) and was somehow squeezed back into the team despite limited opportunites available, even to the point of being dropped down the order to rediscover his form (something I don't see being extended to Alviro). Yet Thami has scored runs but has been rudely shut out despite countless opportunities available to him. I don't know about you but I smell a rat! A very very bad one.

 

[Hectic]

Rudi Second may be young and recently among the high run getters, but that utterly flies in the face of unrewarded yet consistently good performances by Thami Tsolekile over the years/seasons for both FC & SA A sides. You forget that he was inexplicably culled from a central contract. What cannot be ignored is that there are unavoidable transformation goals, and Thami is a perfect fit for the side in its present situation. He will deliver, of that I have no doubt. Besides I find it weird that people think QdK's form will keep this debate closed for too long. He hasn't really impressed in Tests so far, while he's really been setup to fail in the long run in opening in LOIs. As the selectors are forced to recycle Vilas, MvW, Second etc, what makes you think it will be easy to avoid explaining why AB refuses to keep for stability when he was all too glad to do it before, despite his back problems being well known? Will it not rightly be translated as "he always put his hand up just to block Thami replacing Boucher" if he decides not to keep? Bear in mind that AB didn't move up the order. He's remained at 5 in Tests.

I seriously think you guys underestimate how this will pan out. I see distaster written all over it. Just be careful not to say Ntini is a racist when he opens his mouth again. He'll be pretty much spot on this time ... as he was in the first in my opinion. Rudi Second ahead of Thami Tsolekile while Eng&AUS had the middling old Prior&Haddin respectively (not to mention Boucher's sickeningly prolonged underwhelming presence for the Proteas only cut short by injury), and AUS have a long line of young excellent keepers yet maintain faith in poor Haddin snubbed of captaincy?

In one article 3yr old Andrew Puttick and 36 yr old Morne Van Wyk are being touted as replacements if QdK doesn't come right soon for the LOIs and AB refuses to keep. I see no reason why age should be a factor where Thami and the Test XI are concerned. Not too long ago Jacques Rudolph scored runs (just like Thami) and was somehow squeezed back into the team despite limited opportunites available, even to the point of being dropped down the order to rediscover his form (something I don't see being extended to Alviro). Yet Thami has scored runs but has been rudely shut out despite countless opportunities available to him. I don't know about you but I smell a rat! A very very bad one.

The selectors are under pressure to bring in players of colour.

Thami is an easy way out, yet they cancel his contract, after he was promised some game time.

Not sure if any selector has been let go, in particular Hudson.

He was called in to explain and it seems his reasoning was accepted, afik.

So there might be a rat that smells, but have you ever considered that there are facts/reasons that are not know to you and I and those are the reasons he is not selected and lost his contract and maybe not the conspiracy theories that you throw up in the air?

I have no evidence for my theory, nor do I say that is indeed the case, but my question is, have you considered it? Is it it any more unlikely than your postings?

 

[sox63]

I was wondering why Rilee was not playing FC this weekend, he has a finger injury and still the selectors pick him. Struggle to see the though process tbh...

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-west-indies-2014-15/content/story/812637.html

 

[Whiskers81]

Just bought my tickets for the KFC T20 @ the Wanderers for Sunday the 11th.

Groupon has 2 30% discount special for the T20 and ODI

 

[ZCFOutkast]

Not sure if any selector has been let go, in particular Hudson.

He was called in to explain and it seems his reasoning was accepted, afik.

So there might be a rat that smells, but have you ever considered that there are facts/reasons that are not know to you and I and those are the reasons he is not selected and lost his contract and maybe not the conspiracy theories that you throw up in the air?

I would've entertained that idea but for two reasons:

1. Thami has continued to play for and tour with the A side, which essentially means as in every other Full Member you are there in preparation for full national honours. Afterall, that's why Shezi, SvZ, Bavuma, Harmer, Rilee&Rabada are there or have been there lately.

2. Sports Admins are meant to be transparent. We've seen it with NZ, CA&the ECB. Are you trying to tell me that out of all the players CSA should secretive about details pertaining to Thami alone and it should be normal&acceptable for me&you to assume that it's due to some sound reason? What's so unique about him for them to adopt such a position regarding the specifics about his selection or contract?

 

[ZCFOutkast]

Struggle to see the though process tbh...

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-west-indies-2014-15/content/story/812637.html

What I find more concerning is that the author has not questioned this or found it amiss to the point of ridiculing it in some way. The kind of things that happen in SA cricket but are not scrutinised surprises me a great deal. At least the rugby fraternity (i.e. fans&media) is quicker&blunt in all of this. But that's because, unlike FC cricket, there are strong loyalties towards the Currie Cup sides and every fan wants clear answers why their player is not being picked for the Boks (in my case Cheetahs). That's why there's such a passive following.

In Aus opposition fans are quick to point out the NSW connection that existed before. Now it's Queensland due to the coach Lehman being its former coach, as with Heyneke-Bulls-Boks. In England there was constant noise from opposite fans about Yorkshire youngsters dominated the England Lions (their A side), which gave them a springboard to the national team (Root, Ballance, Bairstow etc). If you look throughout the County setup there were many other youngsters but the bias helped these other youngsters more.

Right now the Lions through its superior transformation has the best Black talent all consistently in a winning XI (Tsolekile, Tsotsobe, Rabada, Bavuma & Leie), so it's not bias but results of transparent hard work. Should be easy to replicate in the natonal team .. but not when clearly injured players are called up. Surely Farhaan should have been considered ahead of Rossouw.