Missing out on the last few white-ball games will help Proteas star Kagiso Rabada be fresh for upcoming series against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Photo: AFP
COMMENT BY ONGAMA GCWABE
JUST last week, the country was rocked by the news that premier Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi had opted out of his national contract.
At the beginning of the year, it was confirmed that Anrich Nortjé, upon returning from a lengthy injury, would only play T20s for the foreseeable future, a move that essentially removed him from the national contract conversation.
Now operating outside of the national contracts, both players have more flexibility to participate in various leagues around the world, while maintaining their availability to represent their country in the white-ball formats.
These are the moves that one would expect from players who are in their 30s, given the current cricket landscape around the world, with there being more lucrative opportunities for players who are nearing the tail-end of their careers.
Having anticipated these moves, and given that the main Proteas limited-overs players are well into their 30s and are also commodities in the T20 circuits around the world, coach Rob Walter had to start developing new players sooner rather than later.
Understanding that there were series that were not originally in the Future Tours Programme, against Afghanistan and Ireland, Walter opted to use this time to test the depth of the South Africa talent machine.
As a result, the likes of Nqaba Peter, Jason Smith, Ottneil Baartman and Patrick Kruger got their maiden run in the national team, while the likes of Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs were recalled for another go in the ODI format.
Yes, the team lost 50% of the matches in the UAE, but most of the new faces showcased what they could do at the international level.
Walking Away With The Trophy🏆 🇿🇦
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 9, 2024
The Proteas Men have conquered in Dubai, sealing a 2-1 ODI victory against Ireland! 💥 With heart, grit, and determination, they’ve lifted the trophy and made South Africa proud! 🙌🇿🇦#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvsIRE pic.twitter.com/JKqoC5BBto
In ODI cricket, the Proteas have been looking for a batting all-rounder, and now they may have one in Jason Smith after he struck a superb 91 in Dubai earlier this week.
In T20 cricket, Kruger has shown promise that he could certainly claim that all-rounder spot, having had a lot of success with ball-in-hand in the West Indies and the UAE.
Moreover, this was an ideal chance to also rest the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen, to name a few.
Having gone through the Indian Premier League from March through to May, followed by the World Cup in June, the Major League Cricket in July and then the West Indies Tests in August, the Proteas stalwarts had to be given a break.
It makes even more sense when one considers the home international summer that lies ahead, with Sri Lanka and Pakistan touring South Africa from November through to January – and before that, there is an away two-Test series against Bangladesh and a home four-game T20 clash against India.
The likes of Rabada and Jansen must be fresh for those two series to give South Africa the best chance of making the 2025 ICC World Test Championship.
The results may not have gone the Proteas’ way in the UAE, but it was the right move from the management and one that promises to benefit South Africa in the near future.