Headache for SA selectors
Proteas boast a talented squad of experienced players for Tests
SOUTH Africa’s management could have some sleepless nights trying to determine their best 11 players for the opening Ghandi-Mandela series cricket match next week.
The Proteas square up against the world’s number one team India in three Tests this summer with the first of those set for Cape Town starting on Friday, January 5.
There will also be six one-day internationals and three T20s but the immediate focus for January will fall on the longest version of the game.
South Africa has assembled its strongest squad in years. AB de Villiers is back and so are Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morné Morkel.
But with their availability come selection headaches. Proteas coach Ottis Gibson said it is the kind of problem he is happy to wake up to.
But that “problem” could have become even more complex this past week after Quinton de Kock suffered a strained hamstring during the twoday Test against Zimbabwe.
AB de Villiers took over the gloves unexpectedly but when asked if he would continue to perform the dual role of wicketkeeper-batsman he said: “I’ll chat to the coach about that one. I’m not sure. Ideally, I would not like to keep and just focus on my batting and make sure I play for as long as possible for South Africa.
“Keeping tends to get to me after a while in a long and tough series where I need to be focusing on my batting. I feel that gets in the way a touch. Long story short, no, but um, ja, it’s up for discussion.”
If De Kock does not pull through for Newlands and De Villiers declines to mind the wicket, Gibson and company will have to find a replacement ’keeper who can bat.
Heinrich Klaasen of the Titans comes to mind having previously spent time within the SA camp. He would be making his Test debut on the back of a healthy first-class batting average of 46.47.
There are other issues too. If Faf du Plessis is fit to play in Cape Town, he needs to be placed in the South African batting line-up. Gibson says if Dale Steyn is fit he is an automatic choice but who will be sacrificed for him?.
Asked about how he thought the team would be balanced, De Villiers said: “That’s a tough question, I’m not 100% sure. Faf will take over once he comes back. There are definitely headaches coming the selectors’ way.
“I mean, if Dale’s fit, Faf comes back . . . I don’t know, it’s tough to say. All the guys seem to be in good form and luckily it’s not my issue.
“We’ll see what happens. We are in a really good position as a cricketing team at the moment with guys knocking on the door.
“Those who are not playing also seem to be in good form and have scored runs and taken wickets. I know the guys will get the best on the field for the Test against India next week,” added De Villiers.
When it was put to Morkel that he may be competing with Steyn for a berth, the tall speedster, who took a five-for against Zimbabwe, sidestepped the issue smartly, saying he would leave those decisions to the selectors.
“I don’t even know. We’ll have to see. Dale has been bowling exceptionally well in the nets. He looks strong and very, very fit.
“I reckon he would have been a handful on this pitch if he had played.”