Chance for Proteas to experiment
AFTER the Proteas Test team restored some fleeting pride in South African cricket by defeating New Zealand comprehensively in Centurion, it is now the turn of the ODI squad to do the business.
They open their account against a minnow in Ireland, on Sunday, at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, before a sterner threematch series against the Aussies.
Two squads have been selected for the Ireland match, and the Australian series respectively, with the selections hinting that there may be a little experimentation among the ranks.
Senior players, such as Hashim Amla and Imran Tahir will sit out the Benoni encounter, as will AB de Villiers, with an injured elbow.
De Villiers was lined up for both series, however, he picked up an elbow complaint, when playing in the Caribbean, which also ruled him out of the New Zealand Test series.
There is still a strong feeling he will be ready for the Aussie games, but it could all go the other way if surgery is required.
Doctor Mohammed Moosajee said however, that that would be dependent on De Villiers passing a fitness next Tuesday.
“He has what is commonly referred to as ‘impingement syndrome’ – when he plays certain shots he gets excruciating pain in the left elbow,” Moosajee explained.
“On Tuesday it will be reassessed, thereafter a call will be made. He needs to pass a fitness test – that elbow needs to stand up to the rigours of international cricket.
“Then only will a decision be made. If he does not come through a fitness test then a date for surgery will be set.”
If surgery is required, De Villiers faces a spell of between six and eight weeks on the sideline, meaning he would also miss the much-anticipated three-match Test series in November – the first of those Tests starts on November 3.
With key batsmen like Amla, and now De Villiers, out of the picture, there is a strong indication that Test batsman Temba Bavuma, who was called to the ODI squad for the first time, could open the batting.
The 26-year-old has never opened the batting in any format, but there is a feeling among the Proteas coaching panel that he has the right temperament for the pressure job.
There is also experimenting to be done when it comes to the all-rounders, with two more debutants in line to get their first cap.
Dolphins youngster, and former Glenwood High School pupil, Andile Phehlukwayo, as well as Dwaine Pretorius, from the Lions, will be fighting it out along with more bowling-minded all-rounders in Wayne Parnell and Chris Morris for a spot in the match-day eleven
With the likes of Bavuma and De Kok starting the innings, as well as Faf du Plessis and David Miller in the middle, it could make for some explosive cricket.
That seems especially true when considering Kagiso Rabada is the only out-and-out pace bowler in the squad, with Aaron Phangiso the spinner – all-rounders abound otherwise.