Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Ramela to lead young SA Invitational team against tourists in Potchefstroom
OMPHILE RAMELA has not faced a red ball since October. In fact, he hasn’t had much batting time out on the middle at all having opted for a loan move from the Cape Cobras to the Highveld Lions for the T20 Challenge.
Next week, though, in addition to leading a youthful South African Invitational XI in Potchefstroom, Ramela has the responsibility of facing a Sri Lankan new-ball pair gearing up for the first Test against the Proteas.
The cream of South Africa’s emerging talent will be on show at Senwes Park. Former South Africa Under-19 captain and in-form Titans opener Aiden Markram will join Ramela at the top of the order, while fellow ICC Junior World Cup winner Jason Smith and promising Knights fast bowlers Lwandiswa Zuma and Duanne Olivier will also be in action.
“All the boys have been playing white-ball cricket, so it is important that we prepare well this week. But everyone is accustomed to switching between formats, so it shouldn’t be an issue,” Ramela said this week.
“I’ve seen a bit of the youngsters we have in our side over the course of the season in both the Sunfoil Series and T20 Challenge and there’s definitely plenty of talent there. For us it’s all about ‘create the space for them to be comfortable to express themselves and show off the talent we all know they have’.”
There will certainly be plenty of eyes focused on the progress of Markram and Smith.
The two have been sensational in their first full season playing franchise cricket, especially in the firstclass arena. Markram, a 22-yearold Tukkies student, has already amassed 354 runs at an average of 118.00, which includes two centuries with a career-best 162 against the Dolphins at Centurion.
Ramela is well.acquainted with Smith too. The all- rounder has played under his leadership at the Cobras franchise. He would have witnessed first-hand superb knocks from Smith against the Highveld Lions (95) and Knights (100 not out). The latter was a particularly good innings, with Smith playing exceptionally well against a rapid Knights attack that included Olivier and former Proteas fast bowler Marchant de Lange.
“Yeah … we’ve watched Jason bloom this season into a really serious player,” Ramela said.
“He’s an exceptional talent who will definitely go on to play for the Proteas. Jason just needs to keep that intensity at the crease he showed in those first couple of matches for the Cobras.
“Big things are expected from this young man.”
For the all the excitement about all this young talent coming through, the opening match of the Sri Lanka tour is also an opportunity for some seasoned campaigners like Ramela and Khaya Zondo to stake their claims for higher honours.
Zondo would certainly have felt unlucky to have missed out on selection for the Proteas Test squad to face the islanders on Boxing Day in Port Elizabeth.
The national selection panel opted for Knights captain Theunis de Bruyn instead after AB de Villiers and Rilee Rossouw were ruled out through injury.
But if Zondo manages to post another good score to complement his 494 runs at an average of 82.33 – the second highest number of runs on the Sunfoil Series circuit – it will certainly be another strong reminder to Linda Zondi and Co that the Dolphins star is ready for a return to the big time after his call-up to the ODI squad last year.
Equally Ramela will have personal ambitions of furthering his claims for a maiden Test call-up after a couple of good seasons playing for the South Africa A side.
“The matches certainly carry plenty of individual importance,” Ramela said.
“The guys know what is at stake. A big score in one of these games can push you right up to the front of the queue.
“There have been a couple of injuries higher up and players who have performed on SA A tours and in domestic cricket have received call-ups which shows that the selectors are keeping their eyes open for new talent.
“It’s also about getting back into a batting rhythm. The Sunfoil Series also gets under way soon which is important so the guys will be focused on spending some solid time at the crease against a quality international attack.”