What should be South Africa’s squad for the 2019 World Cup?

[Majestic]

A side with this lineup can bring ray of hope of winning the WC:-

de kock
Markram
Faf(c)
ABDV
Miller
Klaseen
Morris
Andile
Rabada
Ngidi
Tahir

Makram to replace Amla

[hadi123]

Amla will most likely be there

[Spectrum]

2019 wc is not far away so I'm sure they will stick with Amla and Duminy unless they retire.

Faf Duplessis
Aiden Markram
AB deVilliers
Henriech Klassen
Quinton deKock
JP Duminy
David Miller
Hashim Amla
Chris Morris
Kagiso Rabada
Lungi Nagidi
Dale Steyn
Andile Phehlukwayo
Imran Tahir
Christopher Jonker

Many players are going to retire after WC 2019.

[Ahson8]

Faf Du Plessis (c)
AB De Villiers (vc)
Hashim Amla
Aiden Markram
Quinton De Kock (wk)
Heinrich Klaasen
David Miller
Chris Morris
Lungi Ngidi
Kagiso Rabada
Dale Steyn
Keshav Maharaj
Imran Tahir

2 spots open...

[Ab Fan]

A side with this lineup can bring ray of hope of winning the WC:-

de kock
Markram
Faf(c)
ABDV
Miller
Klaseen
Morris
Andile
Rabada
Ngidi
Tahir

Makram to replace Amla

Amla will open with de Kock but I want Markram in SA team too.

[Sami92]

Chris Morris normally bats at 7, followed by Andile Phehlukwayo at 8 in South African ODI line up. Rabada, Ngidi/Steyn, Tahir are expected to occupy the no 9, 10 and 11 slots.

Now, coming to the topic, is Vernon Philander a better option than Andile Phehlukwayo at 8, for WC 2019 ? WC 2019 will be held in England. Philander will be able to extract genuine seam and swing from that condition. Going by recent form against the Aussies and others, it can be said that he excels in the seaming condition. He is a much better bowler than Phehlukwayo, also handy with the bat.

Phehlukwayo is also a promising player. Definitely one for the future. But I feel right now he may be a bit raw. I think picking someone of the skill and caliber of Philander over Phehlukwayo in English condition enhances South Africa's chances a lot. South Africa should recall Philander in the ODI team.

Opinions ?

[Ab Fan]

I think you are right.

Philander might go for runs because he lacks pace but then so would Phehlukwayo who is generally a 4th bowling option. Philander would atleast be brilliant with the new ball. He is a handy batsmen too and Andile isnt any great with bat too.

Morris
Philander
Rabada
Tahir
Steyn/Ngidi

This is a good bowling attack. Ngidi was taken to the cleaners by Indian batsmen. He is fantastic in tests but not sure about odis.

[MMHS]

There is no reason why Vernon Phi shouldn’t be in WC squad, hosted in UK, early summer. Not necessarily he has to start every game but he indeed can be handy in particular conditions. His lack of pace is an issue, but FaF can use him like Imran used Aquib - 7/8 overs at one go with new ball and sometimes not coming back at all in that game.

Guy can hit with bat and his skin colour is another advantage to manage numbers (of quota). Lungi Ngidi isn’t an ODI bowler, and Phelu is the Anwar Ali of SAF.

[Mamoon]

There is no reason why Vernon Phi shouldn’t be in WC squad, hosted in UK, early summer. Not necessarily he has to start every game but he indeed can be handy in particular conditions. His lack of pace is an issue, but FaF can use him like Imran used Aquib - 7/8 overs at one go with new ball and sometimes not coming back at all in that game.

Guy can hit with bat and his skin colour is another advantage to manage numbers (of quota). Lungi Ngidi isn’t an ODI bowler, and Phelu is the Anwar Ali of SAF.

Came here to post this. 7 overs by Philander upfront and South Africa will lower the total by 20-25 runs consistently.

[Adijazz1706]

He can hit a few and should bowl 7 overs upfront and sneak in another one when a wicket falls. Andile is rubbish

[Hasan123]

Not a bad idea. But he should only bowl with the new ball. If the conditions are helpful, SA won't be chasing more than 260/270 very often.

[barah_admi]

A side with this lineup can bring ray of hope of winning the WC:-

de kock
Markram
Faf(c)
ABDV
Miller
Klaseen
Morris
Andile
Rabada
Ngidi
Tahir

Makram to replace Amla

There are a number of settled names in the SA line up but some of those names are not performing. QDK has looked up and down, Amla is not performing, ABD has commitment issues and Faf is a shrewd captain but also looking to find form...however all of them will retain their place because there is no one to replace them.

Plus, if Steyn is fit, the side will have to have him because that bowling line up is too inexperienced without him.

[MMHS]

Came here to post this. 7 overs by Philander upfront and South Africa will lower the total by 20-25 runs consistently.

If everyone is available, this is my XI (XVI)

1. +Kok# (He is colored by birth)
2. Markram
3. AB
4. Amla#
5. *FaF
6. Miller
7. Morris
8. Phi/Mahraj (On drier surface Mahraj plays)#
9. Styen
10. Rabada#
11. Tahir#
-----------------------------------------------------
13. +Klassen
14. De Bruyn
15. Andile Phelu#
16. Pretorius

I think, Amla should come down to 4 now and allow AB to bat at 3.

If they pick this 16 with FaF as Captain, this SAF will be difficult to deny this time. It's a bit aged side, but they are extremely fit and well experienced unit.

[Hasan123]

If everyone is available, this is my XI (XVI)

1. +Kok# (He is colored by birth)
2. Markram
3. AB
4. Amla#
5. *FaF
6. Miller
7. Morris
8. Phi/Mahraj (On drier surface Mahraj plays)#
9. Styen
10. Rabada#
11. Tahir#
-----------------------------------------------------
13. +Klassen
14. De Bruyn
15. Andile Phelu#
16. Pretorius

I think, Amla should come down to 4 now and allow AB to bat at 3.

If they pick this 16 with FaF as Captain, this SAF will be difficult to deny this time. It's a bit aged side, but they are extremely fit and well experienced unit.

Why Amla at 4? AB should bat higher but he seems reluctant to do so. SA management is cautious. Don't see them making these changes although I would love to see your line up.

[MMHS]

Why Amla at 4? AB should bat higher but he seems reluctant to do so. SA management is cautious. Don't see them making these changes although I would love to see your line up.

They won't, it's my choice.

Amla is like vegetable you can consume as much as you can, it won't hurt; but you can't avoid vegetables all together.

He is a run machine of highest order - steady, consistent and reliable if you want him to pile up scores. Batting at 3 demands a bit different quality, which I think AB is far better in that role. Alma can bat at 4 and steady the ship with his 45+/85+ out put. If you notice SAF's failures in WC/ICC events, often it had been due to a collapse in middle order - apart from that SF in 2007, they have lost most games from 147/3 rather than 34/3 - I want to change the strategy to avoid that.

[Aliykyzwo]

15 members Squad :
Makram
De kock
Faf (c)
Abd
Duminy
Miller
Klasaan
F Behardin/ H Amla
Phehlukwayo
C Morris
Rabada
Ngidi
D Steyn
I Tahir
T Shamsi

[Ab Fan]

If everyone is available, this is my XI (XVI)

1. +Kok# (He is colored by birth)
2. Markram
3. AB
4. Amla#
5. *FaF
6. Miller
7. Morris
8. Phi/Mahraj (On drier surface Mahraj plays)#
9. Styen
10. Rabada#
11. Tahir#
-----------------------------------------------------
13. +Klassen
14. De Bruyn
15. Andile Phelu#
16. Pretorius

I think, Amla should come down to 4 now and allow AB to bat at 3.

If they pick this 16 with FaF as Captain, this SAF will be difficult to deny this time. It's a bit aged side, but they are extremely fit and well experienced unit.

Opening is the easiest job in odis. The best and most comfortable position for Amla is opening also. If he comes at 4, he will have to bat according to the given situation.

He is a one-gear batsmen and if he has to be there for SA, it is at the top only or at max no.3.

[Abdullah719]

CSA SEASON LAUNCH: PROTEAS MEN AND WOMEN BID FOR ICC TITLES

Tuesday, 04 September 2018


CRICKET SOUTH AFRICA (CSA) today launched its action-packed season of international and domestic competition that will see both the Standard Bank Proteas men’s side and the Momentum Proteas women’s side challenging for major ICC world titles.

The Proteas men’s season, which includes One-Day Internationals against Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Sri Lanka at home and Australia away, will climax when the squad is named to bid for the ICC World Cup title in England and Wales from May to July, 2019.

The Proteas women’s season sees an earlier climax when the squad travels to the West Indies in November for the ICC Women’s World Twenty20.

“Our international season is very much geared to supporting our national teams in their endeavours to win these major ICC titles,” commented CSA Chief Executive Thabang Moroe. “We could not have asked for a better series to prepare our Proteas for the World Cup than the home fixtures against Pakistan. They are the current ICC Champions Trophy winners and the series will also be played under similar conditions to the ones we will expect to encounter in England and Wales.

“This will be preceded by the away tour to Australia which will, as always, be extremely competitive.

“Similarly, our women are about to embark on their tour to the West Indies which will again provide perfect preparation for the ICC T20 there later in the year. They leave for the Caribbean on Sunday and I would like to take this opportunity to wish Dane and her team everything of the best.”

Mr. Moroe also stressed the importance of the various franchise and provincial competitions. “This is where our stars of the future are developed through our talent development pipeline and we have seen many of them come through to represent the Proteas over the past couple of years. Names such as Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen are among those that spring easily to mind.

“Our season kicks off next weekend with the first pool matches in the Africa T20 Cup and I am excited by the development of this competition that will see a greater number of teams from the African continent taking part this year. As the powerhouse of the game on the African continent we have an important development role to play in this regard.

“In conclusion may I wish all our players at whatever level they are playing an enjoyable and rewarding season.”

[the_outsider]

This thread took a series hit after ABD's retirement.

[gazza619]

Not sure if Phehlukwayo will make it to the team if it was not for the silly quota system.

[Hasan123]

Amla
De Kock
Markham
Faf
JP
Miller
Morris
All rounder
Rabada
Steyn/Ngidi
Tahir

[MenInG]

While the cricketing fraternity have shifted focus towards IPL 2019, the primary concern for every national side remains the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019 to be held in England and Wales. Hosts England remain the favourites for the mega event along with second-ranked ODI side, India. In addition, the Australian cricket team have shown their progress by a stellar series win versus India, at home, in the recently-concluded ODI series. Amidst all this, there haven't been plenty of voices backing South Africa or labelling them as 'one of the contenders.'

Following South Africa's 5-0 ODI series whitewash versus Sri Lanka on Sunday, skipper Faf du Plessis revealed that the African nation wants to emulate Pakistan's blueprint from ICC Champions Trophy 2017 for the forthcoming World Cup. "Obviously, with it being in England they are favourites and they have been getting good results there. But for me, it’s about form. It really really comes down to the form that you are in as a team and as individuals. If you have three or four in your batting lineup hitting purple patches it literally changes the whole tournament. If you have bowlers on top of their game [too].

No one would have said Pakistan were close to favourites heading into the Champions Trophy two years ago in England, but they just managed to bowl together as a unit and kept bowling sides out and surprised a lot of teams. So we going there with that exact same mindset," told the 34-year-old ahead of South Africa's T20I series versus the Lankans.

South Africa aren't considered as favourites following the sudden retirement of AB de Villiers in May 2018. However, they have enough firepower in the bowling department which includes the likes of Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, and Dwaine Pretorius. Back in 2017 Champions Trophy, Pakistan also had a formidable bowling lineup in the form of Mohammed Aamir, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Junaid Khan, and Shadab Khan. They outplayed opponents one by one, after a pathetic start in their tournament-opener, to march ahead in the final and claim the title by beating India by 180 runs.

South Africa open their World Cup campaign against India (interestingly, Pakistan also played India in their first tie of 2017 Champions Trophy) on June 5 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton.

Tahir and all-rounder JP Duminy have already stated that the upcoming 50-over marquee event will be their last appearance in the format. In addition, it looks unlikely that skipper du Plessis will carry on till the next World Cup (to be held in 2023). Hence, the senior men will be eager to take the side to World Cup glory in England and Wales.

In the 2015 edition, South Africa bowed out of the tournament in the semi-final clash versus hosts New Zealand at Auckland

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/...success/384329

[Bilal7]

1) Hashim Amla
2) Quinton de Kock
3) Aiden Markram
4) Faf du Plessis
5) David Miller
6) JP Duminy
7) Andile Phelukwayo
8) Kagiso Rabada
9) Dale Steyn
10) Lungi Ngidi
11) Imran Tahir

12) Vernon Philander

Plus a back-up batsman, spinner, keeper and fast bowler.

They have a good squad, South Africa. Definitely not the favourites but if the senior guys find form, they can make it to the final.

[Bilal7]

Also, they should definitely try their best to get ABD back into the side. It might upset a few players but you need your best players going into a WC.

[giri26]

South Africa‘s selectors will reveal on Thursday whether veteran batsman Hashim Amla will be part of the country’s squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Amla, 36, is one of South Africa’s all-time great one-day international players but his recent form has been poor, while increasing age has meant that he has slowed down in the field.

Amla scored only 51 runs in four innings in South Africa’s shock Test series loss against Sri Lanka earlier this year and did not play in the first three one-day internationals against the tourists, although Cricket South Africa stressed he had not been dropped.

He was due to play the final two one-day games against Sri Lanka but withdrew because his father was seriously ill.

After more than a month out of cricket, Amla returned for the Cape Cobras franchise in a domestic Twenty20 competition in early April but his first three matches yielded only 28 runs.

He showed signs of promise for the Cobras on Sunday with an innings of 32 — his joint-highest score in any form of cricket since a one-day series against Pakistan in January.

With captain Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller and JP Duminy all seemingly certain of selection, there is probably room for only two more top-order batsmen in a 15-man squad.

– Outstanding fielders –

========================

Amla’s rivals, Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks, have both been in good recent form, with Hendricks named man-of-the-series in the recent Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka after a poor one-day series had seemingly scuttled his chances.

Markram and Hendricks are outstanding fielders.

The other big debate ahead of the squad announcement is the identity of a back-up fast bowler to the likely trio of Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi.

Newcomer Anrich Nortje was impressive in the one-day series against Sri Lanka and although he was forced to withdraw from the Indian Premier League with a shoulder injury he is expected to be fit for the World Cup.

While he has not played in a one-day international since February last year, Chris Morris has been picked by several experts in their preferred World Cup squads because he can bowl at more than 140 kph and is a hard-hitting lower-order batsman.

Three wickets for the Delhi Capitals against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday took his total to 11 in six matches in this year’s IPL.

Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorius are likely to be picked as all-rounders, while Imran Tahir and Tabraiz Shamsi are South Africa’s probable spin bowlers.

It is unlikely that a back-up wicketkeeper to De Kock will be chosen, with Miller seemingly being groomed as an emergency gloveman.

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/...n-doubt-830200

[giri26]

The Proteas will not suffer a repeat of the selection debacle that derailed their World Cup dream in 2015, says Cricket South Africa’s convenor of selectors Linda Zondi.

Speaking ahead of the much-anticipated announcement of the 15-man squad to compete for the World Cup in England, starting on May 30, Zondi was adamant the best team 11 will be chosen at any given time in the competition.

“There will be no quotas. There will be no selection issues at the World Cup as far as I’m concerned. I will be there in England, and I will have the final say. We will not have a repeat of what happened in 2015,” Zondi said in an interview with EWN Sport on Tuesday.

During the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the Proteas camp appeared unsettled when Vernon Philander, who was injured for the quarterfinal against Sri Lanka, was included for the semifinal ahead of the in-form Kyle Abbott at the 11th hour.

Abbott had taken 9 wickets at an average of 14.4 in four matches and had the best economy rate of any Proteas bowler. The move sparked speculation that Philander’s last-minute selection was as a result of racial quotas being implemented. CSA, at the time, denied this.

“I think the quotas angle has been blown out of proportion. Just look at the team. In our last limited overs match (T20 international against Sri Lanka on March 24 2019) we had seven players of colour and we won. Out of the seven players of colour, there were four black African players, yet no one has pointed that out.”

CSA’s official transformation policy requires the national team to average 55% players of colour in all formats throughout a season. “The Cricket World Cup is not an isolated event, so there is no reason for us to dictate how players are selected in the tournament. Our policy judges us over an entire season, so there will be no issues as far as I’m concerned,” Zondi explained.

“Can you say Kagiso Rabada is a quota player? We are confident in the players that we have, and those we are taking to the World Cup. They are world class, so there will be no dropping of standards. We will pick the best team.”

“Lungi Ngidi is another star player who is there on merit, and we feel that the players we have are representative of South Africa, as a non-racial country.”

With the Cricket World Cup just weeks away, Zondi is poised this Thursday to announce the 15-man squad to make the trip to England.

At least one crucial decision will have to be made around the inclusion or exclusion of Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram.

Amla has been short of game time and runs, while Markram has experienced something of a run-glut in domestic cricket since being sidelined from the Proteas one-day international team against Pakistan early this year. Markram was also instrumental in the Titans winning the Momentum One Day Cup last month.

“I’m pleased with the decisions we have made and I believe we have chosen a team that can bring back the World Cup,” said Zondi.

https://ewn.co.za/2019/04/16/the-bes...olour-says-csa

[The_Odd_One]

This will be the weakest SA squad going into any world cup.

[Hasan123]

Squad is announced tomorrow.

[gazza619]

This will be the weakest SA squad going into any world cup.

Yeah but so is Pakistan and SL.

SA still has De Kock, Rabada and Amla. I would give them half a chance.

[Ronaldo7]

Yeah but so is Pakistan and SL.

SA still has De Kock, Rabada and Amla. I would give them half a chance.

For pak the weakest was the 2015 one.

[gazza619]

For pak the weakest was the 2015 one.

Yeah you may be right. The thing is that we have improved since then and so has the world.

Hence we are still a low rank side.

[giri26]

England, the top-ranked ODI team, and India may be seen as favourites going into the World Cup, but South Africa‘s veteran pacer Dale Steyn on Wednesday said rankings would be of little significance in the showpiece, beginning May 30.

“I think you really need to take rankings and throw it out of the window. Rankings these days don’t mean anything. I don’t even know what ranking West Indies have, and they just beat England. Australia were losing, and then they’ve started winning again,” the Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer said at the Eden Gardens.

“I think every team going to the World Cup has a massive chance. England are playing in England, and they’re playing some good white-ball cricket,” he said refusing to name any clear favourites.

“You just need to go there, figure out which teams are best adapting the conditions and then the team that hits the ground running first has the best chance.”

Steyn, who will turn 36 in June, will probably be appearing in his last World Cup and he said they are going with high expectations.

“I don’t think South Africa have lost an ODI series in two and a half years but no one gives us a chance and then somebody does,” he said as they’ve won 11 of their last 13 ODI series.

“If you’re not going to the World Cup expecting to win, then you probably shouldn’t go. But I’m not going to lie, we have some fantastic players.”

South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, spinner Imran Tahir and skipper Faf du Plessis have been in excellent form including in the IPL, and Steyn hoped they would finally lift the trophy.

“We’re led by Faf, whose been in fantastic form lately. And in the IPL, Imran Tahir has been right up there in terms of wickets. From Quinton de Kock all the way down to No. 11, they’re all match-winners. We just need to go there and hope a bit of luck – weather, a missed no-ball – goes your way, and you could win the tournament.

“You look at KG (Rabada), he’s been bowling exceptionally well. Kagiso is a wunderkind. Just hope he continues that kind of form. He’s come on to the scene in international cricket and grabbed the opportunity with both hands. We’ve seen players come in, show signs of extreme excellence and then fade away, but KG is someone we can get used to,” he said.

South Africa face England in the opener on May 30 at The Oval.

Ignored at the IPL auctions last year, the South African pace great has been roped in as replacement for injured Nathan Coulter-Nile.

“He (coach Gary Kirsten) asked me have I been playing, have I been bowling, and I said yes. I was actually prepping to play our local T20 tournament. It can sometimes be difficult coming halfway through the IPL and the World Cup coming up, but we got through it, and here I am.

“I wasn’t originally picked up for the IPL, but that’s totally okay. Coaches have plans and structures, and if you’re not in those plans you shouldn’t take it personally. It’s nothing personal, it’s business. But to be honest with you, I just love playing cricket.”

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/...-africa-831071

[Nikhil_cric]

If everyone is available, this is my XI (XVI)

1. +Kok# (He is colored by birth)
2. Markram
3. AB
4. Amla#
5. *FaF
6. Miller
7. Morris
8. Phi/Mahraj (On drier surface Mahraj plays)#
9. Styen
10. Rabada#
11. Tahir#
-----------------------------------------------------
13. +Klassen
14. De Bruyn
15. Andile Phelu#
16. Pretorius

I think, Amla should come down to 4 now and allow AB to bat at 3.

If they pick this 16 with FaF as Captain, this SAF will be difficult to deny this time. It's a bit aged side, but they are extremely fit and well experienced unit.

Well this won't look anything like the squad if reports are to be believed. Its going to be

De Kock
Markram
Rassie
Faf
Miller
Andile
Pretorius
Duminy
Amla/Reeza
Steyn
Rabada
Ngidi
Nortje
Tahir
Shamsi

[Arsalan Pro]

It will be this, unless they decide to drop Amla.

Quinton De Kock(Wk)
Aiden Markram
Hashim Amla
Faf Du Plessis(C)
JP Duminy
David Miller
Andile Phelukwayo
Kagiso Rabada
Dale Steyn
Imran Tahir
Lungi Ngidi

Bench:

Rassie Van Der Dussen
Dwaine Pretorius
Tabraiz Shamsi
Anrich Nortje

[Bilal7]

So its official: Amla and Markram in and Reeza out. South Africa make the right decision.

[Nikhil_cric]

So Amla in ahead of reeza. Good call. Reeza hasn't shown himself to get any better than a rapidly declining Amla and would have been a very brave pick.

[MMHS]

Well this won't look anything like the squad if reports are to be believed. Its going to be

De Kock
Markram
Rassie
Faf
Miller
Andile
Pretorius
Duminy
Amla/Reeza
Steyn
Rabada
Ngidi
Nortje
Tahir
Shamsi

That was a year back. In current context, I think only player missing is Morris, otherwise their squad is what they have best now.