After drawing the ODI series, the Proteas tour to England moves on to the T20 International series. A series that will be of foremost importance to both sides as they prepare for the T20 World Cup. Like any other side before a world cup, the Proteas will have a couple of questions that they need to answer heading into the World Cup. Almost a month ago, the Proteas took on India in a 5-match series that was drawn because the last match was abandoned. Again, the Proteas proved to lack that killer punch as they failed to seal the series after being 2-0 up in the series. However, the series provided the Proteas with the opportunity to see where the gaps are and how they could be filled.
The series against England promises to be a tightly contested one like the ODI series and will help the Proteas to see whether or not the gaps that were visible against India have been successfully filled. It also presents a second opportunity to the selectors to see what someone like Tristan Stubbs can do. It will also be interesting to see if the team will change its approach or will we see the same approach that we have been seeing from the side.
There were obvious questions that were raised by the series against India. Questions that could affect the team’s performance at the world cup if not answered. One of those being the team’s approach or strategy. We saw the team get knocked out of the previous World Cup due to an inferior net run rate which was due to the team’s overall approach. T20 crickets is generally about scoring quickly and still managing to score big. The team showed in the first T20i against India that it is capable of playing an attacking brand of crickets but kind of fell off after that game. Does Coach, Mark Boucher still believe in having anchors in the side and how does he plan to use those anchors? The role of an anchor is something that has been a talking point among South African cricket fans. Questions around the whole notion of an anchor have been raised. I touched on this on Proteas anchors need to anchor at a scoring rate that influences the outcome of the match. There is nothing wrong with having anchors as long as your anchors know that they need to find a way to influence matches.
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With Temba missing out due to injury, Reeza Hendricks could be his replacement for the series considering the role he plays and the fact that the coach prefers having an anchor to pair with de Kock. The squad has a few unfamiliar faces and a few making their return. Whether or not the selectors will be trying out different combinations is yet to be seen. There was a missed opportunity against India where Stubbs could have gotten a chance to show what he can do. Many will be hoping to see him get a game against England, something I believe is unlikely. However, it would benefit the team to try out different combinations and see which ones work best.
I would like to see the Proteas batters take the game to the English bowlers and look to dominate them. Score big and as fast as possible because that is afterall, what T20 cricket is about.
A few questions that selectors and coach may have to answer before the first match.
ü Quinton de Kock’s partner- Will they go with Reeza, who is the only other specialist opener in the side, or will Aiden Markram be made to open again?
ü Dwaine Pretorius vs Wayne Parnell or Dwaine + Wayne – Will they choose one between the two or play both?
ü Where does Andile Phehlukwayo stand in the T20 allrounder discussion?
ü Where will Rilee bat?
ü Tristan Stubbs?
ü Keshav vs Shamsi or both? – There is no doubt that if the selectors choose one, it will definitely be Shamsi, but wouldn’t they be keen to play both? The two spinners have been doing well.
ü Anrich vs Lungi or both? – Both lads had not played much for a while. However, Lungi has shown some great form and Anna has been boiling hot and cold as someone trying to find his rhythm.
PROBABLE XI
                                i.           Q de Kock (wk)
                              ii.           R Rossouw
                            iii.           HE van der Dussen
                            iv.           AK Markram
given the circumstances, below is the team I would play.
1.      Wayne Parnell – This will probably be a very controversial selection, but Wayne is no stranger to opening. This gives him the opportunity to bat in the powerplay which suits the way that he bats as opposed to coming in at 7 where he is good piercing gaps as opposed to out and out hitting.
2.      Quinton de Kock – Quinny picks himself
3.      Rilee Rossouw – Many will be eager to see what Rilee can do for the Proteas with the form that he is in. He might very well be exactly what the team needs right now.
4.      David Miller – With the extra responsibility of captaincy, it will be interesting to see how Dave Miller will do. He is one of those that pick themselves.
5.      Aiden Markram – He has been in really good form in this format and will be looking to carry the form into the series against England.
6.      Heinrich Klaasen – He was in good form against India last month. Heini is probably the best guy for that number 6 spot.
7.      Tristan Stubbs – Played against India but did that get a chance to bat, Tristan would definitely be eager to go. He has shown that he can finish matches, and this would be the opportunity for him to do so.
8.      Keshav Maharaj – definitely carrying on with two spinners so Kesh plays.
9.      Kagiso Rabada – Rested for the ODI series, a fresh Kagiso is always a treat to watch
10.  Lungi Ngidi – Choosing between Lungi and Anrich was difficult, but I would go with Lungi and maybe look to rotate them for this series.
11.  Tabraiz Shamsi – One of the best t20i bowlers in the world, Tabraiz picks himself in the t20i team.
NB Resting Rassie and Dwaine. I would use this series to look at different possible combinations ahead of the T20i World Cup.
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