CSA appoints Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma as Test and white ball captains

[MenInG]

Rawalpindi, Feb 3 (PTI) Proteas coach Mark Boucher on Wednesday said Quinton de Kock will be released from the burden of Test captaincy after the Pakistan tour but there is still time to make that call following Australia''s "disappointing and disruptive" decision to postpone their tour of South Africa.

Following the completion of the Pakistan series, South Africa doesn't have any Test cricket coming up in the next nine months after Australia on Tuesday decided to postpone their tour citing "unacceptable health and safety risk" in that country because of a fresh COVID-19 outbreak.

"When we get back after this tour we''ve got a bit of time before our next Test series so we can sit down and make a good, solid call on who can take over from him and release him from that burden and try and get the best out of him," Boucher said on the eve of the final Test here.

De Kock, who was handed the Test captaincy on a temporary basis for the 2020-21 summer, hasn''t been in good form, scoring just 15 and 2 in the two innings as they suffered a seven-wicket loss in the first Test against Pakistan.

"It''s been tough on Quinny. If you''re not scoring runs it gets highlighted, especially if you''re a captain," Boucher was quoted as saying

"We''re not that harsh on Quinny in this environment. We know that he''s a quality player and there''s a good innings around the corner for him. He has been given the extra burden of being captain and that can be tough and something he''s not used to."

Australia have received a lot of flak for postponing their tour with former England cricketers Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen questioning their decision.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) too had slammed their Australian counterparts for postponing the Test tour, saying it is "extremely" disappointing and will lead to "serious financial loss".

Boucher said "it''s no different for the players."

"I know there was a lot of planning going into the Australian tour back home. We haven''t really been a part of that, but it seems a lot of goalposts were being moved for that particular tour, for Australia," Boucher said.

"For example, the one positive that came out of the bubble against Sri Lanka was the hotel that we stayed at (Irene County Club). We thought it was a great hotel for us as South Africans. It suits our needs and the cultural way that we are, being outdoors."

"And we even surrendered that to Australia. There''s probably a feeling that we were laying down the red carpet for Australia, which is frustrating at times. After all of that, it''s very disappointing and disruptive to our plans going forward."

South Africa are also scheduled to play three T20Is beginning February 11 against Pakistan and they had already planned to send their Test players after the second Test, keeping in mind the quarantine rules ahead of the Australia series.

A second-string South Africa squad also arrived in Pakistan for the T20 series but South Africa will continue with their original plan of sending few Test players and support staff home.

"Myself, (bowling coach) Charl Langveldt and (media manager) Sipokazi Sokanyile will be staying over and looking after the T20 squad. It''s not ideal," Boucher said.

"There''s been a lot of planning that''s gone into the two tours, and going back and quarantining for Australia. So the planning was all there.

"We were told at a very late moment that this wasn''t going to happen. It''s difficult for us to suddenly turn around when there''s a T20 series around the corner."

https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscr...oucher/2022934

[MenInG]

One way to undermine your captain before the series ends!

[Rana]

What a softie.

He would love to become the undisputed captain of Mumbai Indians for the next 20 years if he is given the chance

[Titan24]

QDK was a reluctant captain to start with.

Captaincy would most likely go to Markram as he is the one who has been prepared for the role since his younger days there are no other options. Russie looks like a calm and composed head as well but, not sure if he will be considered for the role. Vice captaincy can be given to Rabada maybe, a proven performer who deserves to be part of that leadership group.

[BaankeJi]

Wicket keeping and captaincy don't go well together. Good for QDK.

[Shoaibbtt]

I wish the lad the best but his captaincy in the previous game was pretty poor to say the least. He seemed uninterested, de-motivated and i feel the negativity rubs off on the others.

[Hyperion66]

Give it to Rabada, best player in their team by some margin and always felt he has got the leadership material.

[Ab Fan]

Temporary captain lol

[Rohan]

Wicket keeping and captaincy don't go well together. Good for QDK.

Dhoni says hi.

[Thunderbolt14]

How many times before has a change of Test captain ever been announced mid-series? Afridi comes to mind.

[Thunderbolt14]

Give it to Rabada, best player in their team by some margin and always felt he has got the leadership material.

Rabada’s a smart cookie and would make a good captain but I don’t know why I get the vibe he’s not much of a team man

[Mamoon]

VD Dussen is the right man for the job. He has the character and the temperament.

De Kock should have embraced the leadership role. He would have had the opportunity to lead the team in all formats for years and enhance his legacy.

His body-language in the first Test was shocking to say the least.

[gazza619]

Wicket keeping and captaincy don't go well together. Good for QDK.

Dhoni says hi

[PakPremi]

Dhoni says hi

Sarfraz too he kept well and was reasonably good captain given the resources in hand. His batting though did start to suffer.

[Saj]

Good to see South Africa taking swift action as the guy doesn't want to skipper and looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights. His body language is terrible and what must his team-mates be thinking when they look to him for inspiration.

But having said that, I'm surprised that this has been announced in the middle of a series.

[UzmanBeast]

QDK is a phenomenal player, but not a good captain.

Should look to give up the reins and slot back to a batting position where he feels comfortable, and where he's most effective.

[Forum363]

VD Dussen is the right man for the job. He has the character and the temperament.

De Kock should have embraced the leadership role. He would have had the opportunity to lead the team in all formats for years and enhance his legacy.

His body-language in the first Test was shocking to say the least.

I think Quintin rightly decided he is too young for the captaincy at this stage and if he took it, his personal game will never get to the next level.

He is at the stage of his career where he has done well but nowhere near justifying his talent. He should focus on his keeping and batting as he has the potential to be an ATG all formats player on the level of Gilchrist / Dhoni / Sanga.

Along with Rabada he is the leading under 30 cricketer in the world right now.

Agree with you that Van Der Dussen should get the captaincy. Perfect age and temperament.

[Third_Umpire]

Doesn't bode well for the next match...2-0 Pakistan

[MenInG]

From CSA:

A point of correction on the numerous news reports that have stated that this is Quinton de Kock’s last Test match as captain:

That is not what Mark Boucher said yesterday in his press conference. He did say that (as they have done at the conclusion of every tour this season so far) the National Selection Panel will assess the captaincy situation and see where they stand with the candidates they have in mind.

At no point did Mark Boucher announce that Quinton de Kock will no longer be captain of the South African Test team.

[Hasan123]

The right decision. De Kock has no interest in the test captaincy unfortunately. Markham or Van Der Dussen should take over.

[Suleiman]

VD Dussen is the right man for the job. He has the character and the temperament.

De Kock should have embraced the leadership role. He would have had the opportunity to lead the team in all formats for years and enhance his legacy.

His body-language in the first Test was shocking to say the least.

Not surprising at all though. He has always been like that as a player, why would he magically develop a persona with charisma after the appointment?

I just hope he delivers and does his talents justice once his career is done. Players with similar personalities usually underperform when their team needs them the most.

[Mamoon]

Very poor cricket by South Africa. They had the resources to beat this deeply mediocre Pakistan side in both Tests but lack of planning and leadership cost them the series. Quinton de Kock was mentally switched off in the field and it impacted his batting as well.

If he is unwilling to accept this position then South Africa should not waste time and appoint someone else ASAP.

The series slipped through their fingers because of poor planning and dull leadership on the field. This South African side is mid-table but they are more than good enough to beat Pakistan anywhere unless it is a proper turner, which the Karachi and Rawalpindi wickets were not.

Shambolic stuff.

[Ab Fan]

It's time for South Africa to relieve Qdk from test captaincy and give it to the young Markram. He has shown vast improvement in his game to play spin in Asian conditions.

He is anyways a very good batsman against genuine pace, he is South Africa's next Graeme Smith.

[Energy]

Yeah you'd think they will go with Markram. du Plessis is their version of Azhar Ali - shockingly poor as he's getting more experienced.

[Last Monetarist]

Markram is the only option, and he has the personality to manage his batting form with the added responsibility. de Kock should remain in situ as white ball captain.

[Hitman]

OHANNESBURG - The realities of ‘bubble life’ has hit home hard for South African cricket following the agreement to allow Quinton de Kock a few weeks off from the game.

The South African captain is taking a “mental health break” following medical advice.

The complexities around the issue can be seen from the fact that as of Tuesday morning, the national selection convenor Victor Mpitsang hadn’t been fully informed of the reasons for De Kock’s withdrawal from the tournament and hinted that his position for the Pakistan series in April could be in jeopardy.

Meanwhile the Titans franchise, which has De Kock on its books, said they were satisfied to allow him the time, having been kept informed about his status.

“There were question marks about him. I only found out about (De Kock’s withdrawal) on Monday,” said Mpitsang. “Ideally I’d like all the Proteas to play. We all know how important this tournament is, because before that Pakistan series, this is the only cricket that we will play.”

Mpitsang, who said he was yet to speak to De Kock, will meet with the rest of the selection panel; Mark Boucher and Enoch Nkwe, later this week to discuss the issue and how it relates to De Kock’s selection for the Pakistan series in April.

"He communicated with us that he didn't want to play (in the T20 Challenge," said Northerns Cricket Union, CEO, Dr. Jacques Faul.

"We are happy for him not to play."

De Kock has expressed on a number of occasions his discomfort at spending extended periods in bio secure environments. After the second Test against Sri Lanka, he described the endless hours spent in hotels as “unsettling.” As a lover of the outdoors, the ‘bio bubble’ protocols required because of the Covid-19 pandemic, have affected the 28 year old more than most.

De Kock has been in a bio secure environment in one for or another since last September when he went to the IPL in the UAE, then again for the England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan series’ and would have had to go into another one in Durban for the T20 Challenge, one more after that for the Pakistan series following which he’s due to go to India for the 2021 IPL.

Adding to that stress has been the extra workload placed on him; this season in addition to captaining the Proteas limited overs teams, he was also made Test captain, while he was also promoted up the batting order.

Speaking on Monday, CSA’s Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith, said the organisation was sensitive about managing players in bio-secure environments.

“We are trying to manage the players’ mental health; we have questionnaires, we have psychologists involved, we are working closely with the (SA Cricketers Association),” said Smith.

“Some players have it tougher than others; some had two months in the bubble last year, potentially two more months in a bubble in April; that creates its own complications with us. The ’bubble fatigue’, how do you manage the national side when they’ve only played seven or eight games, but they are going to IPL?”

Finding that balance is clearly more challenging for CSA than meets the eye.

The SA Cricketers Association’s CEO, Andrew Breetzke, said Tuesday, the organisation had remained in regular contact with players, and that it would continue to support De Kock.

Link: https://www.iol.co.za/sport/cricket/...3-291e78b41c72

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Dekock seems to be more of an outdoor person. I can relate to that being stuck in a single room for a whole day will be really tough for me as I am claustrophobic as well.
I am lucky during COVID i am In OZ where I have a huge backyard plus lots of ovals within 5 km distance to go for running.
I personally would not able able to live in a hotel room locked without going out for more then 16 hrs.
Respect to these cricketers and they should take a break wherever needed.

[MenInG]

Quinton finally relieved.

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) is pleased to announce the appointments of Temba Bavuma and Dean Elgar as captains of the Proteas men’s team in the limited overs and Test formats respectively.

[RedwoodOriginal]

Bavuma as limited-overs captain? Seriously?

Wasn't enough that a mediocre player like him was getting selected on quotas, they had to make him captain too? Don't see him as a player who deserves to be in that side, let alone as a leader. South African limited-overs will only regress more because of this rather than get better.

If they wanted to simply take a chance on someone new and untested then they could have given it to Markram or Malan who are much more realistic long-term batting prospects. Markram has the experience of captaining South Africa U-19s to a World Cup victory as well.

As test captain, Elgar was the only choice. So can't fault them much for selecting him even though he, according to himself, is a reluctant captain.

[King_Kohli]

Bavuma as limited-overs captain.
ROLF

He isn't an established T20 player yet and has a mediocre record in the domestic circuit.

[Hasan123]

Elgar is fine as test captain. He makes the team on merit and has the character to lead the side. De Kock probably didn't want the LO captaincy as well so Bavuma has been appointed. I think he still has a lot to prove as a player in LO. Now he has something to prove as captain.

[Thunderbolt14]

There goes SA’s chances at the T20 world cup. They were the one team that had a chance of pulling an upset in Group B, now it’s essentially England and India straight into the semi-finals.

[The Viper]

Bavuma has no credentials as a player, never mind captaincy. Terrible choice by CSA.

[Ab Fan]

Lol..

Welcome to Mumbai Indians for next 10 years, Quinton de kock!

[Markhor]

Just caught the news. Dean Elgar is the logical, and only realistic choice as Test captain so no surprises there.

Bavuma's appointment comes out of left field, though his ODI and T20I numbers are pretty good (albeit a small sample size).

Clearly not even being in the running for white ball captaincy suggests CSA don't think highly of de Kock's leadership credentials.

[Hasan123]

Bavuma has no credentials as a player, never mind captaincy. Terrible choice by CSA.

He has done well domestically in list A cricket and has won 2 T20 tournaments as captain so he has credentials. The problem is I don’t see him as a better LO player than Markham and JP Malan. Now Bavuma is captain he will play over both. Let’s see how he does.

[Last Monetarist]

This is a spectacular fall from grace for Quinton de Kock. He was supposed to be the next great South African cricketer, but unfortunately he's not good enough to withstand the pressure of leadership. The warning signs were there a few years ago when he couldn't adapt to batting higher up the order in England, it suggested that he was suffering some kind of mental block.

[The Viper]

He has done well domestically in list A cricket and has won 2 T20 tournaments as captain so he has credentials. The problem is I don’t see him as a better LO player than Markham and JP Malan. Now Bavuma is captain he will play over both. Let’s see how he does.

Fair enough, I didn't know that Bavuma had captaincy experience in domestic.

Still I would have appointed somebody else like Rassie because like you said, Bavuma would take Malan's spot, who has more upside.

[Zeshan547]

Terrible choice in Bavauma, from grame Smith to bavuma, how times change, i think this has more to do with racial quotas.

[Hasan123]

Fair enough, I didn't know that Bavuma had captaincy experience in domestic.

Still I would have appointed somebody else like Rassie because like you said, Bavuma would take Malan's spot, who has more upside.

I didn't know he had experience until I did some research yesterday. I heard his captaincy was impressive as well.

If De Kock didn't want the LO captaincy I would have gone with Markham or Rassie. I hope Bavuma bats at 3 as Malan definitely should be opening in ODIs.

[OMB]

Dekock seems to be more of an outdoor person. I can relate to that being stuck in a single room for a whole day will be really tough for me as I am claustrophobic as well.
I am lucky during COVID i am In OZ where I have a huge backyard plus lots of ovals within 5 km distance to go for running.
I personally would not able able to live in a hotel room locked without going out for more then 16 hrs.
Respect to these cricketers and they should take a break wherever needed.

He hasn't retired. Those 16 hours of movement restrictions still apply

[hoshiarpurexpress]

He hasn't retired. Those 16 hours of movement restrictions still apply

Hence the break from cricket. I suspect he will take more breaks till this COVID situation is sorted out.

[Last Monetarist]

When du Plessis resigned after the England series last winter, I felt that Elgar was the only possible candidate for the test captaincy given that Markram hasn't still established himself in the side. Elgar will arguably hold the post till such time CSA feels Markram is ready.

The decision to appoint Bavuma has come out of left field, as no one really thought de Kock was in any danger of losing the white ball captaincy. Suspect there's more to it than meets the eye. To be fair, Bavuma has captaincy experience in domestic cricket so might surprise a few.

[Muhammad]

I’m now very confident about Pakistan’s chances of success next month.

I think Bavuma may be finally turning a corner in test cricket after a few years and many opportunities.

But he’s completely unproven in LOI’s, doesn’t matter that he’s done well domestically as captain he needs to make the team on merit first.

[Last Monetarist]

I’m now very confident about Pakistan’s chances of success next month.

I think Bavuma may be finally turning a corner in test cricket after a few years and many opportunities.

But he’s completely unproven in LOI’s, doesn’t matter that he’s done well domestically as captain he needs to make the team on merit first.

I think Bavuma is a decent white ball player and can adapt to a middle order role. It's not arguable though that the only reason he has been appointed captain is transformation.

[rhony]

I think Bavuma is a decent white ball player and can adapt to a middle order role. It's not arguable though that the only reason he has been appointed captain is transformation.

Bavuma's appointment is shocking. Possibly an affirmative action decision. SA is slowly going the Zim way.

[OMB]

South Africa cricket captain Temba Bavuma inspired by England's Eoin Morgan

Not only is Temba Bavuma the first permanent black African captain of a South African international cricket team but he has three World Cups to prepare for. The 30-year-old is set to lead the Proteas in limited-overs cricket which includes the next two Twenty20 World Cups, later this year and in 2022, and the next 50-over World Cup in 2023. As he plans for those tournaments Bavuma admits that the person inspiring him the most is England's limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan, who led his side to the 50-over World Cup title in 2019.

"Eoin Morgan has revolutionised the whole white-ball game for England and he's seen them become a powerhouse and he's an inspiration for me," Bavuma explained.
"If I look at the South African team and where we are now I don't think it's lost on anybody in the country that our performances haven't been to a standard that is expected.
"So it's on me to boost that confidence within the team because I believe the team does have the necessary skill-set to be able to be competitive and challenge the likes of England all the way at the top.
"It's just a matter of working at our mental game and working at our shortcomings. That will develop the more and more we come together as our team, and the more the management stamp their authority. Personally I'm looking to improve my position, as it stands now I don't believe that I possess the answers to it all… but it's a journey that I'm willing to go on for the benefit of the team."

But Bavuma says that he is not thinking as far ahead as the World Cup just yet as he has more urgent things to concentrate on.
"It's a scary and daunting prospect. In saying that it's super exciting," he continued.
"I've not thought too much about the World Cups just yet but now we need to get the ball rolling in the upcoming series against Pakistan [at the start of April]."
Pakistan are due to play three one-day internationals and four Twenty20 internationals between 2-16 April in South Africa.

As well as the captaincy role Bavuma will further be under the spotlight as being the first permanent black African captain of a South African international cricket team.
Mixed-race players Ashwell Prince, JP Duminy and Justin Ontong have previously captained a South Africa cricket side on a temporary basis. Hashim Amla, the first Asian to play for South Africa, has also captained his country in matches in all three formats.
Prince was the first mixed-race player to captain South Africa when he led them for two Tests in Sri Lanka in 2006, while Graeme Smith was injured.

Bavuma became the first black African to score a Test century for South Africa, against England in Cape Town in 2016.
"I understand it. It's a big responsibility," he says. "It came as a surprise, at a point in my career when my mind wasn't thinking about it [the captaincy]," he told the BBC World Service's Newsday programme.
"It was a no-brainer to be honest and I don't think any aspiring cricketer would turn it down. And I guess my immediate thought was 'here is an opportunity to create a legacy'.

"I just took it as another chapter in my journey. It's a journey that's had it's ups and had it's downs, but I've enjoyed navigating along the road."

Bavuma is aware that in some ways he has some big footsteps to follow in with Siya Kolisi, the first black captain of South Africa's Rugby Union side led his team to World Cup glory in Japan in 2019.

"Just simply as a cricketer we know that it's the one thing South Africa has been missing [a black captain], it's something that comes up a lot in conversation amongst the team," he explains with a smile on his face.
"I have that opportunity as captain to lead the team to something like that [emulating Kolisi]."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/56344990

[MenInG]

Writing for The Times in London, Atherton highlighted the gripping narrative of black rugby players like Siya Kolisi and Makazole Mapimpi, who became the inspirational faces of the Springboks’ success at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

With Bavuma set to become the first black African captain of a Proteas cricket team on Friday, when the first ODI against Pakistan gets under way, Atherton suggests that the moment should be used to place South African cricket on a similar road to success.

‘Quite what transformation in a broader sense has been wrought by South Africa’s triumph in Japan, I’m not close enough to the sport to say,’ writes Atherton.

‘But I know South African cricket well enough to suggest that it is desperately in need of its rugby moment. Hijacked by maladministration, hindered by its failure to break out of the narrow grip of the great private schools, and hampered by comparisons with the past, South African cricket has stagnated.

‘What would a World Cup win under a black captain do for cricket in the long term? Who knows how deep real change would go if the game could inspire more broadly as rugby has been able to do, but during the next four-year cycle of ICC events.

‘He [Bavuma] has always had leadership ambitions and led his domestic franchise, the Lions, to silverware in first-class and limited-overs cricket. The team are in flux and short of established leadership options and so while Bavuma’s performances as a batsman in the middle order will be scrutinised, given his lack of one-day international experience, his claim on the captaincy is as strong as anyone’s.’

In contrast to the national rugby team, the Proteas have yet to win a World Cup in any of cricket’s formats. Currently stuck as the fifth-best ODI team in the world and the sixth-best T20I outfit, the focus of winning a World Cup will be far from Bavuma’s mind when he takes the field on Friday.

But, Atherton believes it could be a step in the right direction.

‘South Africa have never won a World Cup and global success right now looks a distant dream. It would do an immense amount for the sport in the country, in the same way that the success of the Springboks in Japan helped to change the conversation around rugby in South Africa,’ wrote the 53-year-old.

https://www.sacricketmag.com/atherto...-rugby-moment/

[MenInG]

Not the start Bavuma wanted for his captaincy - out for 1

[Last Monetarist]

It's difficult to judge Bavuma's captaincy after one game, but he'd have to be utterly atrocious to be worse than de Kock. South Africa had to change captains, and given that there were no obvious options, it's logical to give it to a high-profile non-white player.

[Bewal Express]

He did well in the field. I thought the only thing he could have done was to go for Rabada and Nortje( at the same time)as soon Nortje was on a roll.

[ask_analyse_act]

He did well in the field. I thought the only thing he could have done was to go for Rabada and Nortje( at the same time)as soon Nortje was on a roll.

His LOI batting will have to get better, otherwise he will become a passenger captain in the team,..

As far as I see Markram will take the captaincy sooner , he was the one coined for leadership just like G.Smith..

[Ab Fan]

South African cricket is done and dusted. All is lost and over. The humiliating home test series loss vs Sri Lanka and World Cup loss to Bangladesh emphasises what is coming for them over next few years.

Van der dussen, de kock, Miller and Markram are good batsman but not great ones. Out of these, the most skillful player is QDk but his record as captain and his performance over two World Cups is pretty awful.

Rabada and Nortje are good but Rabada has probably lost his interest after becoming an integral part of Ponting's team in IPL.

[Bewal Express]

His LOI batting will have to get better, otherwise he will become a passenger captain in the team,..

As far as I see Markram will take the captaincy sooner , he was the one coined for leadership just like G.Smith..

It goes without saying that he has to be amongst the 3 best batsman in the team. Otherwise, he won't have the respect of his team mates

[Last Monetarist]

Good innings thus far by Bavuma, definitely merits a place in this side.

[Firebat]

[Last Monetarist]

Missed out on a century, Bavuma. Nonetheless, it will give him confidence going forward.

[Ab Fan]

Played well Bavuma.

But not sure if it is a match winning knock or not.

[OMB]

Well played Bavuma. 92 (102) with 9 fours.

[shamaan]

It will give him confidence a good enough innings but not a match winning innings.

[Major]

Captains will brinign in pacers, but Bavuma has bought in part timers to control Pakistan. Why? Because the likes of Babar Azam and others don't know how to attack spinners.

Bavuma is not only using one part timer, he is using two part timers.

Pakistan who at one point was going to get 340+, are not struggling to get 300

[TheNightWatchman]

This has boucher written all over it. They know Babar and Fakhar are weaker against spin so used that as a ploy. It worked so good they realised the whole batting lineup can't play spin

[TheNightWatchman]

Bevuma and boucher pushed their luck. Should have brought the pacers back knowing theyll be going all out hitting

[Hasan123]

I don't think he had much faith in the seamers. But credit to him for trying something different.

[shamaan]

I think it was the right move to bowl the part time spinners espically when they were bowling well however i would not have let them bowl the last 8 overs of the game.its obvious he didnt trust the seamers

[Hasan123]

Temba Bavuma is South Africa's T20 captain. But South Africa are in an awkward situation. Aiden Markham and JP Malan have done well in the T20s against Pakistan,Quinton De Kock is a lock to open,Rassie Van Der Dussen and Miller will play in the middle order,Klassen will definitely be in the squad, and Faf Du Plessis and AB De Villiers could also play at the T20 World Cup. So with all this in play, is there really space for Temba Bavuma? Did South Africa rush into making him captain?

An awkward dilemma awaits the SA selectors as I don't see think Bavuma is a better T20 player than those above mentioned.

[bujhee kom]

On merit - no, on quota, ja! 😄

[YousafTheBeast]

De Kock
Malan
Markham
Faf
Rassie
Abd
Miller

This would be their best batting line up, there’s no way Bavuma gets into the team.