The Proteas - Our Team!

L-Dog said:
I disagree he really wants to play for SA he just isn't good enough anymore
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Hes still good enought to play in the test team imo, especially with the experience gap.

Would have prefered for him to remain captain and retire from there... in hindsight, he should have never lost the Test captaincy in the 1st place.

Hes done his part for SA cricket, i think he deserves to go and get some T20 dallaz, not that chennai hasnt already funded his retirement savings yet...
 
I was referring to Steyn, Faf could still play all 3 formats for the next couple of years if he wanted to..
 
Faf going it the right time. Will be remember as a very good player but not a great.

Time to blood the younger generation.
 
If you had to put together a South African all-time Test XI, who would be your spin bowler?

I've just been going through them and it appears that Paul Adams was our best, yet in terms of world best he would come nowhere.
 
thestaggy said:
If you had to put together a South African all-time Test XI, who would be your spin bowler?

I've just been going through them and it appears that Paul Adams was our best, yet in terms of world best he would come nowhere.
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I think it depends on what you want from your spinner. We've never really produced world class wicket taking spinners like Murali or Warne who could be thrown the ball and change the game. Over the years though there have been a few that performed a holding role very well while the quicks rotated. In this regard, I'd probably go for Paul Harris or as crazy as it sounds, Pat Symcox. Both could bowl long spells and both could do their part with the bat if needed. Can I opt out of choosing a spinner altogether though? :p

Since I love 'All time..." games, here's my (post isolation) SA test XI

Smith (c)
G Kirsten
Amla
Kallis
ABD (wkt)
Rhodes
Pollock
Philander
Steyn
Morkel
Donald

Deep batting line up, some out and out bowlers and then your allrounders to balance things out.
 
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Agent_Smith said:
I think it depends on what you want from your spinner. We've never really produced world class wicket taking spinners like Murali or Warne who could be thrown the ball and change the game. Over the years though there have been a few that performed a holding role very well while the quicks rotated. In this regard, I'd probably go for Paul Harris or as crazy as it sounds, Pat Symcox. Both could bowl long spells and both could do their part with the bat if needed.
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That has always stood out. Pick any other position and we've produced some of the best in the world, yet just not spin.

I also thought about Harris as well. While his average and strike rate were horrible, he did tend to tie his end down.
Can I opt out of choosing a spinner altogether though? :p
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Hah, I was thinking the same thing, just go full pace and load up on the all-rounders so you could bat deep.

I'd pick something like this if looking at a balanced team.

1. Graeme Smith (c)
2. Herschelle Gibbs
3. Hashim Amla
4. Jacques Kallis
5. AB de Villiers
6. Mark Boucher (wk)
7. Shaun Pollock
8. Vernon Philander
9. Paul Harris (alternatively replace him with Lance Klusener)
10. Dale Steyn
11. Allan Donald
 
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thestaggy said:
That has always stood out. Pick any other position and we've produced some of the best in the world, yet just not spin.

I also thought about Harris as well. While his average and strike rate were horrible, he did tend to tie his end down.

Hah, I was thinking the same thing, just go full pace and load up on the all-rounders so you could bat deep.

I'd pick something like this if looking at a balanced team.

1. Graeme Smith (c)
2. Herschelle Gibbs
3. Hashim Amla
4. Jacques Kallis
5. AB de Villiers
6. Mark Boucher (wk)
7. Shaun Pollock
8. Vernon Philander
9. Paul Harris
10. Dale Steyn
11. Allan Donald
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Jeez, Bouch slipped my mind! And I call myself a cricket fan :rolleyes:

I considered the likes of Gibbs at the top of the order but decided on the solidity of Kirsten as he was my batting idol growing up. I tried to emulate his 'back and across' trigger when I batted (also a lefty).
 
Agent_Smith said:
Jeez, Bouch slipped my mind! And I call myself a cricket fan :rolleyes:

I considered the likes of Gibbs at the top of the order but decided on the solidity of Kirsten as he was my batting idol growing up. I tried to emulate his 'back and across' trigger when I batted (also a lefty).
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Tough pick at the top. I think Gibbs worked well with both lefties (Smith, Kirsten) however Smith is my pick due to being captain and I like the change of pace Gibbs could offer, especially if this team played today where higher strike rates are beneficial.

Gibbs agrees with your opening pick though.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1255810348134916097
 
Agent_Smith said:
I think it depends on what you want from your spinner. We've never really produced world class wicket taking spinners like Murali or Warne who could be thrown the ball and change the game. Over the years though there have been a few that performed a holding role very well while the quicks rotated. In this regard, I'd probably go for Paul Harris or as crazy as it sounds, Pat Symcox. Both could bowl long spells and both could do their part with the bat if needed. Can I opt out of choosing a spinner altogether though? :p

Since I love 'All time..." games, here's my (post isolation) SA test XI

Smith (c)
G Kirsten
Amla
Kallis
ABD (wkt)
Rhodes
Pollock
Philander
Steyn
Morkel
Donald

Deep batting line up, some out and out bowlers and then your allrounders to balance things out.
Click to expand...
Nah, I'd leave Rhodes out and look at Klusener, Faf (for gutsiness) or have a shorter batting lineup and put Steyn in.
 
JohnStarr said:
Nah, I'd leave Rhodes out and look at Klusener, Faf (for gutsiness) or have a shorter batting lineup and put Steyn in.
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I did consider Klusener but decided my team already has enough allrounders. He was tough to leave out but you can only pick 11. I picked Rhodes for his gutsiness in addition to his fielding prowess. As I mentioned in my reply to @thestaggy though, Bouch definitely would be in and take the gloves (still facepalming that I missed him in the first place). That means that Morkel or Pollock would drop out of my XI. It's a coin toss...

Steyn already there.
 
thestaggy said:
If you had to put together a South African all-time Test XI, who would be your spin bowler?

I've just been going through them and it appears that Paul Adams was our best, yet in terms of world best he would come nowhere.
Click to expand...

Traditionally for south african teams... the spinners batting average holds more weight than his bowling ave :P
 
Agent_Smith said:
I think it depends on what you want from your spinner. We've never really produced world class wicket taking spinners like Murali or Warne who could be thrown the ball and change the game. Over the years though there have been a few that performed a holding role very well while the quicks rotated. In this regard, I'd probably go for Paul Harris or as crazy as it sounds, Pat Symcox. Both could bowl long spells and both could do their part with the bat if needed. Can I opt out of choosing a spinner altogether though? :p

Since I love 'All time..." games, here's my (post isolation) SA test XI

Smith (c)
G Kirsten
Amla
Kallis
ABD (wkt)
Rhodes
Pollock
Philander
Steyn
Morkel
Donald

Deep batting line up, some out and out bowlers and then your allrounders to balance things out.
Click to expand...

Drop donald for Klusener...
Rhodes for Hansie...

Cant help it but hansie was a pure "criceketer"
 
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thestaggy said:
Tough pick at the top. I think Gibbs worked well with both lefties (Smith, Kirsten) however Smith is my pick due to being captain and I like the change of pace Gibbs could offer, especially if this team played today where higher strike rates are beneficial.

Gibbs agrees with your opening pick though.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1255810348134916097
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Bret schulltz! cant forget this guy he was our Shane bond...

So ****ing dangerous, and he had a clear disdain for batsmen
 
ShloshMalosh said:
All time post isolation - everywhere except Asia

Smith
Gibbs
Amla
Kallis
Abd
Boucher wk
Klusener
Pollock
Vern
Donald
Steyn
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in hindsight... this seems like too many bowlers...

we have been blessed with alrounders the quality of kallis, pollock, klusener, philander

Traditionally all, if not, most of our passed spinners suit the role alrounder more than all out spinner. Mostly because we wouldnt know what to do with a real spinner even if we lived in india...
 
I'm just picking from retired player. Stats wise this is my best IX

Smith (Bat 48)
Gibbs (Bat 41)
Amla (Bat 46)
Kallis (Bat 55, Bow 32)
Cullinan (Bat 44)
Kirsten (Bat 45)
De Villiers (WK) (Bat 50)
Pollock ( Bat 32, Bow 22)
Philander (Bat 24, Bow 22)
Donald (Bow 22)
Steyn (Bow 22)

12th Man Prince (Bat 41)
 
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ShloshMalosh said:
in hindsight... this seems like too many bowlers...

we have been blessed with alrounders the quality of kallis, pollock, klusener, philander

Traditionally all, if not, most of our passed spinners suit the role alrounder more than all out spinner. Mostly because we wouldnt know what to do with a real spinner even if we lived in india...
Click to expand...
Why not let AB keep?
 
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