Proteas team to play Zimbabwe and Pakistan
Cricket South Africa have released the Proteas ODI and Pro2 squads to play Zimbabwe and Pakistan in October and November respectively. I would consider the selections in the ODI squad significant as we build towards the World Cup 2011.
When discussing the selections for the ODI squad, Andrew Hudson, the convener of selectors noted that the Proteas would field their ‘strongest combination’. Notable omissions from the team sheet were Mark Boucher, who was dropped during the tour of the West Indies, Alviro Petersen and Roelof van der Merwe. van der Merwe has been replaced by Robin Peterson who returns to the Proteas squad after a year in the wilderness.
My initial reaction to the inclusion of Peterson was, ‘why drop van der Merwe, and replace him with a player who has been out of the mix for so long?’ but upon investigation into the statistics from the past MTN40 series, the reasoning became clear. Peterson has the ability to deliver with both the ball (left arm orthodox) and the bat. Peterson had a batting average of 39.57, with a strike rate of 125.90 compared to van der Merwe’s menial average of 11.20. It’s clear that the selectors are looking for more depth in the batting department.
The other omission that has gone unnoticed is that of Alviro Petersen, admittedly Alviro Petersen didn’t have the best MTN 40 series or tour of the West Indies. I think it’s two faced of the selectors to back JP Duminy after a long run of poor form, and then drop another player after a few months in the team.
Oh and don’t get me started about Albie Morkel, how he continues to be included in the ODI team astounds me, his bowling has been poor and this batting worse.
On the whole it’s an experienced team with the mix of youth in David Miller and Colin Ingram, I’m sure we can expect another white wash of both Zimbabwe and Pakistan.
Standard Bank ODI squad (to play Zimbabwe and Pakistan): Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Charl Langeveldt, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
Standard Bank Pro20 squads: (de Villiers will not be fit for the Pro20’s against Zimbabwe and so Heino Kuhn get’s anther start, Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn are being rested for the Pro20 series)
| Standard Bank Pro20 squad (to play Zimbabwe):
Johan Botha |
Standard Bank Pro20 squad (to play Pakistan):
Johan Botha |
Leave a Reply
Follow SACB:
I don’t care what you say, but Peterson has had his chance over and over again.
And the fiery ginger should be in for Tsotsobe who I think offers very little.
Who’d you play instead of Albie then?
In general, I don’t think there’s enough young talent. It’s time to build towards the world cup and try out some new things. Take some risks. That hasn’t happened in far too long.
I think you answered the question yourself, it’s difficult to replace Albie Morkel as a like for like player.
Consider that AB is now the keeper, so you have a quality batsman as keeper, which in my opinion allows us to select a specialist bowler in Albie’s place.
Theron is a great bowler, and we have many more in our domestic competitions, look how well Justin Kreush has been doing….