The ODI Squad for the series against England
The Proteas can still qualify directly for the world cup
Each time I find myself pondering the possibilities of the Proteas not qualifying directly for the 50 over world cup, I cannot help but feel sad. I know a few people may say it was always coming and I know our teams have not been doing great for some time now but, I simply struggle to understand or believe that we are that bad. So bad that we cannot even qualify directly for a world cup? Call me naïve but this is something I am probably going to believe only when I see it happening.
The series against England, starting next week, is a big series for the Proteas as far as world cup direct qualification is concerned. The Proteas need to win at least 3 of their last 5 matches which include, 3 matches against England and 2 against Netherlands, all at home. Never have permutations ever been this doable for a team. All the Proteas need to do is win at least one match against England even though it would make us fans happier if they won the whole series. They then just have to win against Netherlands, and they will have to be very weary of undermining the Dutch after what happened at the world cup.
Even with the appointment of a new coach (Rob Walter), the selectors have stuck with the same guys for the series against England except for one or two guys. A lot of people have expressed their disappointment with selection and it is understandable. Many were hoping for a lot more of new faces to join the new coach. Personally, I am happy that the selectors have not changed the squad much, if at all. The white ball coach will not even be around yet, so test team coach (Shukri Conrad) will be in charge, but Rob Walter apparently had input on the squad. It is quite understandable for fans to want wholesale changes when results have not been coming but, I would much rather have the new guys come in after the world cup than have them come in now with loads of expectation on them to help us qualify for the world cup. Another reason could possibly be the fact that part of me thinks we can still qualify however, not with 4 or 5 debutants in the side hence I tend to understand the current squad selected.
The Proteas are currently 11th on the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League standings, with 59 points. A 3-0 series win against England will give them 30 points which will take them to 8th in the log standings with 89 points, leapfrogging current number 8, West Indies by 1 point. A 2-0 series against England however, will mean that the Proteas need to win the series against Netherlands by 2-0. Winning the series against England would make things even easier for the Proteas considering that the coach will be without SA’s IPL stars which may mean that he will have an inexperienced side for the series against Netherlands. No better time to try and seal the deal against England.
Going into the last 5 matches of the current super league, the Proteas have a serious problem in the batting department. Whilst personal averages of batters in ODI might make for decent reading, the team has not been scoring big totals and not many of the batters have been making big match winning hundreds and this may need to change if the team is to qualify for the world cup directly.
In terms of selection, a few big calls may need to be made. Will the selectors persist with an out of form Janneman Malan or will they look to partner de Kock with someone else?
Janneman Malan in 2022:
12 innings, 297 runs at 24.75 average and 68.91 strike rate.
With the retirement of Dwaine Pretorius and the omission of Andile Phehlukwayo, will the selectors go for Marco Jansen at 7 even though he is barely tested in the format or will they opt for Wayne Parnell who might not necessarily be a big hitting option at 7?
These are interesting but challenging questions that selectors will have to answer but,
Here is how I would line the team up.
1.Quinton de Kock(wk)
2.T Bavuma©
3.A Markram
4.R van der Dussen
5.D Miller
6.H Klaasen
7.W Parnell
8.K Maharaj
9.K Rabada
10.L Ngidi
11.T Shamsi
I have gone in with the spin twins because they have bowled well together for the Proteas in the super league and have taken the most wickets. Without a genuine change up bowler in the side, we may need the spinners to control the middle overs since the ODIs will be played on pitches that are known to be flat most of the time.
Anrich and Magala unfortunately, narrowly miss out but Anrich would probably play if I was not going for 2 spinners.
Batting might feel a bit thin when looking at how both Klaasen and Aiden have done in the super league but they are both currently in great form.
The series against England is going to be an exciting but tough series and our bowling will need to be on song because England plays an extremely aggressive brand of cricket.
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