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Dean Elgar.
(Images by Lee Warren / Gallo)
- Rookie hitters on the Proteas test squad shouldn’t expect any handouts in terms of pick anytime soon.
- Head coach Mark Boucher pointed out that there is no reason to play with a batting order that just posted a record 621.
- While the Proteas’ batting order looks formidable, it has underperformed for most of the 24 months and changing now would undermine the confidence gained for Test 1.
Proteas Supporters should not expect the will to put together an inexperienced attack for Test 1 victory against Sri Lanka to spread to the batting order.
The excellent respective performances of the 22-year-old duo of Lutho Sipamla and Wiaan Mulder, who between them have only three caps, led to a polite question after the one-inning, 45-run win if the rookie hitters in the squad In particular, Raynard van Tonder and Kyle Verreynne, could get a peek for the second test at the Wanderers.
However, Mark Boucher, the national coach, was justifiably emphatic in stating that there is practically no chance of that happening.
“We just scored over 600, why would you want to change our batting order?”
In fact, the 621 scored by the Proteas in their only innings included a magnificent 199, the best of his career, from Faf du Plessis, 36, 95 from Dean Elgar, 71 from Temba Bavuma and 68 from Aiden Markram.
In other words: one of the greatest strengths of this current South African team is an impressive and experienced batting order.
“This is the cricket test match,” Boucher said.
“They don’t just give you a chance. The guys who played in this game and raced will hold their places. In testing, you hope your chance will come.
“Sure, we have a couple of good hitters waiting on the wings and we will continue to work on them so that when the opportunity arises, they take it.
“For now, I think everyone will agree that it is going to be very difficult for us to cut and change.”
It’s also important to note that while the Proteas’ batting order looks formidable, it has underperformed for most of the 24 months.
There is little need for manipulation after such a substantial injection of confidence in the arm.
“When I’ve been through tough times as a hitting group lately,” Boucher said.
“We will take that score of (621) and race with it. There is a great series ahead against Pakistan and Australia, this is not the time to experiment.”
Despite the temptation to put together a full attack for a traditionally favorable Wanderers wicket, especially in light of the returns of Kagiso Rabada and Beuran Hendricks, Boucher believes it is unlikely that Keshav Maharaj, the only specialist spinner in the squad, be discarded.
He showed his mettle as a lower-order hitter, working his way to a career-best 73, although his bowling production was less productive.
That said, Sri Lanka’s weakened attack based on the shutdown would have been even more ineffective had it not been for rookie Wanindu Hasaranga, who finished with four wickets.
“I’m not a big fan of participating in a non-roulette event,” Boucher said.
“I think it’s quite dangerous. If Sri Lanka didn’t have a roulette wheel, they would have been worse. Look at all the places in South Africa and you would see that Keshav has played well in all of them. I doubt that we will enter a game without him.
The second test at the Wanderers begins on Sunday, and the first ball is released at 10:00.
Proteas vs Sri Lanka Test Squad
Quinton de Kock (Captain, Titans), Temba Bavuma (Lions), Aiden Markram (Titans), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Dean Elgar (Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Kagiso Rabada (Ions ), Rassie van der Dussen (Lions), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Glenton Stuurman (Warriors), Dwaine Pretorius (Lions), Sarel Erwee (Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Kyle Verreynne (Cape Cobras), Beuran Hendricks ( Lions), Lutho Sipamla (Lions), Raynard van Tonder (Knights).
