Proteas close to Cup side
The Proteas are very close to finding their best Cricket World Cup squad mix national convener of selectors Linda Zondi said.
With only 10 ODIs left against Pakistan and Sri Lanka next year to iron out any teething issues‚ there is an imperative that players perform and book their spots for next year’s 12th 50-over showpiece in England.
SA will open their account against England at the Oval in London on May 30.
The Proteas beat Australia in a three-match ODI series‚ a junket that Zondi feels has answered a few lingering questions.
“We had a lot of questions that we answered in the Australian series.
“It’s a pity we had a couple of players who were injured with JP Duminy being the example.
“He played well in Sri Lanka and we would have loved to see him in the Australia series‚” Zondi said.
“We more or less know about the structure of our side‚ we just now need to finalise in the next two series and see if the guys are going to grab their opportunities.
“The guys must put up their hands and say ‘this is my spot‚ I want to cement my spot and move on’. I think we’re more than 85% in terms of where we want to be [as] regards a team and combinations.”
A concern that was not adequately addressed in Australia was the top-order and the iffy starts that shaped the last two matches.
The unit started well in the first ODI in Perth but floundered in the following two matches, in Adelaide and Hobart.
Quinton de Kock featured in all three games and will be relied on to provide the bulk of the runs at the top.
De Kock also has a massive score to settle with the World Cup after an underwhelming display in Australia and New Zealand three years ago while veteran Hashim Amla missed the tour due to injury.
Zondi said they need to test their top-order depth in the event of injuries but they cannot look any further than De Kock and Amla from an opening perspective.
“Before he got injured‚ Hashim was in good form and Quinton has also looked in reasonable form.
“It’s not like they were in bad form but for players like them‚ it’s a case of them being on the field playing and backing themselves.
“They’re the best opening pair we have and we’ve tried everyone else‚” he said.
“It’s just been a case of testing the back-up players but I think we are clear with our opening pair.
“We just need to finalise the number three spots because the other batsmen have come along nicely.” –