Proteas stick to stale side for crucial World Cup qualifier
THE PROTEAS knocked me for a six with their flou squad, announced for the upcoming ODI series against England.
Beating the leading nation in limited-overs cricket in recent times is going to be a challenge for any team in the world, but for our struggling Proteas, we may as well write them off.
We’ve been through a bad patch under previous coach Mark Boucher and I’m quite happy to see him and his low-energy vibes walk off into the sunset.
But what was supposed to be a bright new dawn this week just seems foggy to say the least.
I don’t see any direction for these guys.
Not because of new white-ball coach Rob Walter only arriving for the final ODI. No.
What bowled me over was sticking with the stale squad they are backing to win this series, which is crucial to their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup later this year.
Batting has been our losing suit for the last while and we’ve got the same guys there who have been digging a diep hole for themselves at the crease.
Starting with an out-of-form captain Temba Bavuma, it’s got to be tough for any player in good nick to see Bavuma pad up ahead of them.
I get that he is the leader of the team, but we need runs to win matches and the skipper is not putting up many of those.
I’m even gonna bother to check his stats, we know his form has been in the gutter.
And the fact that no one wanted to touch with a 10-foot pole ahead of the current SA20 is testament to just how long he has been struggling.
I’m not hating, I’m just saying Temba needs to find his game again.
And he can’t do that with the national team.
#Proteas white-ball captain @TembaBavuma knows what it's like to raise his bat against England 👏🫡
The Betway ODI Series gets underway from 27 January – 1 February 🏏
Get your tickets now🎟️ https://t.co/op0CjweaZs#SAvENG #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/DwjXyqkenz
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) January 19, 2023
He isn’t the only one.
Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram and David Miller have all had their struggles, while Rassie van der Dussen takes a long time to get going and can be predictable when it comes to areas he targets for his runs.
I’ve seen this movie and one Fast and Furious flick was enough for me.
I was hoping Cricket South Africa would have gone with the theme of “out with the old and in with the new” by introducing some fresh faces.
With the team seemingly destined to take the play-offs route to the World Cup, why not blood the rookies now?
They can then thrash some minnows in the Zimbabwe mini-league and have their eye played in when they face the big fish.
Looking at the talent on display at the SA20, there is enough to rejuvenate the Proteas.
PROTEAS SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
🔙 Sisanda Magala returns
👌 Coach Shukri Conrad will oversee the series🗓️ 27 January – 1 February
Get your tickets now🎟️ https://t.co/op0CjweIP0#SAvENG #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/ShrDG0ljgf
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) January 18, 2023
Dewald Brevis is the obvious name and it’s criminal that he is not facing England after rubbing shoulders with most of the players he would have faced in the series.
But then there is Ryan Rickleton, who has shown he could be a stalwart in all three formats for the national team.
Tristan Stubbs is another player who is destined to be a big player for the team in the future.
Also Donavan Ferreira has the firepower to destroy a bowling attack.
But instead we’re wasting these opportunities and stuck in a rut just like our batting line-up.
