Tough Selections Ahead

The Australians must be fuming with the South African batsmen injuring themselves –then having their replacements score match-saving innings. For the second time now that South Africa have toured Australia, they have had their in-form number six batsman injured, replaced by a debutant –and having him securing the ship from being drowned by the Australian bowlers with their skilful pace and “weapons of mass-destruction”.

Gary Kirsten was the head coach for the Indian team before being head coach for the Proteas. But even with the extensive amount of talented players he had to choose from in India, doesn’t compare the nightmares he and the rest of the selection panel have to face coming towards the last Test match of the series which starts on Friday November 30.

I feel that Jacques Rudolph has been given enough time to prove himself –and hasn’t quite put his hand up since his readmission to the Proteas Test side. I’m personally a huge Rudolph fan, but at the same time, I’m a true believer in being in top cricket teams with consistent performances and not average –especially when a cricketer has got the talent and capability to do almost the “impossible”. Question marks now linger around cricket discussions on coffee tables as to who shall replace Rudolph if Kirsten and his Test captain, Graeme Smith, decide to execute that brave decision.

Dean Elgar is a solution but many feel that he hasn’t played a lot of 4 day cricket this season with many of the Chevrolet Knights’ matches being called off by rain. Not only that, but having so much in-experience in your batting order (Elgar and Faf du Plessis) is a hole that could easily be exposed –despite Du Plessis’ success at Adelaide. We need AB De Villiers! It’s very evident that he’s not quite in himself with the bat. May this be because of the glove-work getting into the way? We all can sit and debate that –but only he knows the honest answer to that question. De Villiers was once quoted saying that he’s not really eager in taking over the gloves from Mark Boucher. That may have been a while back –but there was still some doubt coming from him in that answer. Other wicket-keepers who have done the job from high school cricket until their professional careers have talked about wicket-keeping with such passion and gusto –not as a burden and “team-balance” as how De Villiers has spoken about it.

In conclusion, when the selection panel pick their squad to tour a country they have to have every faith in the players they pick. I recall Lonwabo Tsotsobe celebrating with the rest of the team when Hashim Amla scored the winning runs to secure the Proteas a Test series victory over Australia at home in 2008/09. For that time (and maybe longer) till the Proteas’ tour of England earlier this year, Tsotsobe has only played five Test matches and has toured with the South African Test Squad in all their tours if not most. In this time span, he has witness other seam bowlers such as Marchant de Lange and Vernon Philander surpass him in the starting 11 –despite him being in the squad for longer and selectors labelling him as “plans after Makhaya Ntini”. The same thing seems to be happening to wicket-keeper Thami Tsolekile. From what it looks like on the side-line, it’s very doubtful that Tsolekile will be given a run any time soon. We just shouldn’t be, or even act surprised when we see him being dropped without a valid reason.

-Mandilulame Manjezi
@JizzyJakesTheIn

Unexpected Problems In Brisbane

After graduating from High School, many of us start learning a few patterns of the vivid circle of life. One of these life lessons is that once you’ve gotten an opportunity, use it and value it to the fullest because it could just slip out of your hands within a blink of a flashback. In some cases, it might not be your fault, however when things do suddenly go wrong –make sure you at least got some credentials or some sort of history to back you up.

I’m not here to teach my readers about life skills, but rather inform you of unforeseen circumstances happening to you –in the wrong place at the wrong time. JP Duminy’s injury has caused huge controversy and mayhem, not only in Brisbane, Australia –but in South Africa as well. Already the exclusion of leg spinner, Imran Tahir, from the starting line-up of the first Test match against Australia was by itself topic of the week. Now that there’s no genuine spin bowler in the starting line-up of the current Test match taking place (unless you reckon Greame Smith and Jacques Rudolph’s part-time bowling would do the trick) South Africa might find themselves in trouble on a relatively slow and low Brisbane Ground wicket.

The big question now on everybody’s tongues and lips is who’s going to replace Duminy in the no.7 position? Thami Tsolekile I feel is the first choice simply because he initially had to be in that starting 11 to take over from retired wicket keeper, Mark Boucher. I assume that’s mainly the reason he was granted a CSA (Cricket South Africa) contract –to take over the glove duties from Boucher. Having Tsolekile in at no.7 would mean that AB De Villiers can simply focus on his batting duties and that South Africa would field a traditional Test match team, having Tsolekile at seven and AB and five.

The second option would be to award Faf du Plessis his Test match debut as he’s a batsman who bowls spin on a regular –similar to Duminy. So initially the replacement of du Plessis would necessary change tactics and game plans heading forward in the series. I must mention though that it would be very ironic for Du Plessis to obtain his Test match debut in Australia and score a Test match 50 because of Duminy’s injury; as that’s how Duminy also obtain his Test match debut in Australia and scoring a 50 in his first Test match courtesy of Ashwell Prince’s injury to the hand.

However many people in the media are speculating that Chevrolet Knights batsman, Dean Elgar, might be Duminy’s replacement. I suppose only time shall reveal that speculation. One thing though that we going to miss out on having Duminy injured is an off-spin bowler. With Australia having seven left-handed batsmen in their current starting 11, we might need a spinner whose stock ball is to take it away from the left handed batsmen –rather than in to them.

-Mandilulame Manjezi
@JizzyJakesTheIn
www.jizzyjakes.blogspot.com

What’s Proteas Back-up Plan If AB Were to Get Injured?

AB De Villiers’ recent back injury has caused a stare around South Africa’s cricketing public. Although Thami Tsolekile is the evident wicket-keeper to take over if anything would happen to De Villiers again, it still seems that the public aren’t really confident over his selection – The selectors as well having to be vividly worried during De Villiers’ rehabilitation, whether he would’ve been fit for the series on time or not. So here’s a list of potential candidates who are able to take over the wicket-keeping duties if in future De Villiers were to have another injury –or simply put a halt on the glove-work duties –if it’s indeed distracting him from his batting duties.

Dane Vilas (28) –Cape Cobras
FC: 45 matches, 46.23 ave
List A: 58 matches, 29.44 ave
T20: 40 matches, 38.40 ave, 132.44 Strike Rate

Rated very highly with the bat, Dane Vilas seems to be the favourite amongst the public to take over wicket-keeping duties if De Villiers were to be injured. However his glove-work still needs to be worked on. Vilas is still very much raw with his wicket-keeping skills, but really impressive with the bat. Averaging currently around 46 in first-class cricket and 38 in T20s with a strike rate of 132.44 shows that he’s much capable to score runs for the Proteas in Test match cricket as well strengthen South Africa’s depth batting order.   

Daryn Smit (28) –Sunfoil Dolphins
FC: 72 matches, 32.11 ave
List A: 68 matches, 29.94 ave
T20: 52 matches, 21.86 ave, 114.68 Strike Rate

One of the most underrated wicket-keepers in the country; simply because he tends to bowl his leg-breaks on a regular, Daryn Smit has improved his overall game in the past few seasons. His maturity has definitely shown not only as a cricketer, but a leader as well. It’s much evident that young players in the same changing room as him such as David Miller are gradually maturing in their game under his leadership. This could be something the Proteas would cherish with Greame Smith and Jacques Kallis, both influential leaders in the Proteas side –coming close to the end of their careers.

Heino Kuhn (28) –Nashua Titans
FC: 87 matches, 46.17 ave
List A: 84 matches, 28.72 ave
T20: 45 matches, 18.37 ave,

Supposedly the successor of South African wicket-keeper veteran, Mark Boucher, Heino Kuhn’s inconsistency in the limited overs format of the game has made selectors doubt his ability to be the top glove-man for the Proteas. With AB De Villiers’ sudden take over with the wicket-keeping duties, and Thami Tsolekile’s CSA contract renewal, Kuhn unfortunately finds himself between a rock and a hard place. He’s First-Class record stays much healthy as well as his performances for the South Africa A squad which keep the selectors much enticed about the idea of Kuhn –as the possibly the next wicket-keeper for South Africa.

Quinton de Kock (19) –Highveld Lions
FC: 14 matches, 63.63 ave
List A: 18 matches, 29.61 ave
T20: 23 matches, 29.88 ave, 139.56 SR

He’s young, truly talented and hungry to play for South Africa. Quinton De Kock is a noticeable replica of Herschelle Gibbs also as a 19 year old. Young, gifted with a good head upon him. He’s success’ definitely cannot be ignored, averaging over 63 in First-Class cricket with a highest score of 194. Young Quinny [de Kock] is a wicket-keeper batsman South Africa would love to push through to the Proteas Test side. Although is performance have been truly overwhelming for the selectors to swallow, de Kock still has to learn a bit more about his game and how he has to approach different match situations. His aggressive approach towards a bowling attack seems to be his way of success, but that won’t be the case against teams like Australia and India playing in India on turning wickets. He still needs to learn a bit more about himself and his cricket until a possible call-up. It’s obvious that it’s just a matter of time before we see this talented youngster in the ‘green and gold’. The only question now –is how long left until we see him feature into the South African cricket side in all formats of the game.

Thami Tsolekile (32) –Highveld Lions
FC: 134 matches, 29.01 ave
List A: 126 matches, 21.11 ave
T20: 53 matches, 23.10 ave, 108.66 SR

Thami Tsolekile is the only player amongst the other four wicket-keepers being mentioned to have played Test cricket for South Africa. However his average in all formats of the game do not justify his selection in the South African Test squad, only having to average 29 in First-Class cricket –the lowest compared to the other wicket-keeper batsmen on South Africa’s wicket-keeping ‘hit-list’-yet he has played over 130 First-Class matches. Fortunately for Tsolekile is that he’s now got a chance to prove his worth in the South African team –provided he gets a chance to play. Not many people are confident in his abilities; and many critics feel that he’s not the same talent they had witnessed when he was still the young radical wicket-keeper batsman playing for Western Province and the Nashua Cape Cobras.

Source:espncricinfo.com

-Mandilulame Manjezi
@JizzyJakes
VC Dip in Journalism student

Going Back To Aus For Seconds

I tend to often reflect back to my childhood growing up in East London, Eastern Cape. My friends and I would occasionally climb over the neighbour’s fence for a sweet treat of some guavas or berries –the fruits you’d rarely find stored neatly in your household’s refrigerator. Not that this was acceptable, but those fruits tasted much sweeter than the ones bought for me by my mom –and because of that, my friends and are would be in the neighbour's tree on a regular.

This is the same mentality the Proteas have to install in themselves going down to Australia, striving for success in November. The Proteas had previous won Test Series they had played down under in 2008/09 with a very convincing display of individualism cricketing performances. We witnessed the introduction of young flamboyant batsman, JP Duminy, scoring a 50* on debut and a massive 166 in the following Test match –securing the Test Series for South Africa.  Not that he was underrated, we all knew what he was capable of as he was scoring runs on the regular for the Nashua Cape Cobra, but the media was very sceptical having him ahead of Ashwell Prince. The selectors were very fortunate to have had Prince injured in the nets off Makhaya Ntini’s bowling because then this initially gave Duminy a chance to prove himself in the big stage against then the best team in world Test cricket.

The Proteas now have a similar situation with their vice-captain, AB De Villiers being injured with a back injury. Many people in the public are very sceptical in having Thami Tsolekile to step in the wicket-keeping batting role in place of De Villiers (in case he’s still battling with his back injury). Similar to recently retired-veteran South African Wicket-keeper, Mark Boucher, Tsolekile is not the most gifted batsman in the world, but he tends to have very big partnerships with his fellow batting partners –often when needed the most. But what’s so useful about Tsolekile is that his glove work is unquestionably one of the best in the country. That shall be something we eagerly need –consistency behind the stumps. Many critics must also understand that this is definitely not the young, radical Tsolekile that was then making his Test match debut in Kanpur, India. Everyone deserves a second chance to prove their worth to represent their country –especially when you have proven in the domestic scene that you much capable of doing an outstanding job.

Not that we should really focus much on the Australian camp, but much controversial selections have been made for the Test Series. The major one would be the exclusion of wicket-keeper batsman, Brad Haddin, for the young 24-year-old Tasmanian glove-man, Matthew Wade. I sincerely feel that Haddin would’ve been the best option to opt for as he’s a fighter to core, despite the team being in any trouble or situation in a match. The Australians shall need those fighter-characteristic players in their changing rooms throughout the series against the fearsome bowling attack South Africa have in their disposal.

Not that it’s a big threat for the Proteas –but let us forgot that Mickey Arthur is the Australian cricket coach. Arthur had been the Proteas coach for five years before heading to Australia. He knows much about the Proteas cricketing culture and how the Proteas go about their ways. South Africa’s top six’s strengths and weaknesses shall definitely be emailed to the bowlers the night before each Test match for homework.

#ACB #CSA #Test Match Cricket #Second Chances #Repeat of Success 

-Mandilulame Manjezi

Future Prospect

Many cricketers would agree that there’s barely anything Murray Graeme Coetzee can’t possibly do on the cricket field. The 18 year old wicket-keeper batsman hails from Pretoria School Boys High where a few talented schoolboy cricketers have been developed in Pretoria. Just like Proteas Test captain Graeme Smith, not only does Coetzee share a second name with talismanic batsman, but as well the leadership qualities that motivate his fellow teammates around him to do more than the impossible.

Coetzee was selected for the U/19 Northerns Cricket team were he captained the squad heading to the annual Coca Cola Khaya Majola Week in December 2011. Going into the tournament, Coetzee’s only major ambition was to simply do well in the tournament and make past cricketers having represented Northerns proud. Leading from the front, Coetzee managed to produce a number of match winning performances which got him the Batsman of the Tournament award. Despite Coetzee having injured his finger before the tournament, his consistent performances with the bat saw him get selected for the Titans Cubs squad and chosen to represent the SA U19 team in the 5-match ODI Youth Series again Pakistan in Cape Town and Stellenbosch in early January this year.

Coetzee performed moderately well for the SA U/19 outfit scoring 31*, 44 and 55 when he was given the chance to showcase his abilities against the visiting Pakistan U/19 team. “We were made to work for our national caps. I had a few hiccups on the tour, early on especially, but once I had adjusted to the Jet’s [Ray Jennings] different style of coaching, I really enjoyed it and we made a lot of good memories on the tour.” explained Coetzee with a grin on his face about his time in the SA U/19 team. Coetzee’s plans for the near future are to hopefully represent his country at the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup in Australia this year in August. Not only does Coetzee excel on the cricket field, but he’s also very passionate about his studies. Coetzee wishes to study medicine at the University of Pretoria next year [2013] where it would be possible to represent the Northerns Amateurs outfit and hopefully soon for the Nashua Titans just as his father Lance Coetzee had done so in 1980.

-Mandilulame Manjezi
@JizzyJakes

World Cricket Bullies

From my judgement, when it comes to us South Africans and our sports – we are bullies. We tend to bully around the regular underdog teams on the rugby and cricket field (won’t elaborate much about our soccer). Like typical bullies, when someone who matches us with size and strength confronts us, we will then retaliate in a way were we would then try to keep our dignity intact.

So here now lies the problem. Our major national sports winning teams aren't doing relatively well. Not initially by the standards we are capable of playing. Our gutsy Springboks are currently second on the Castle Rugby Championship log, while our mighty Proteas team can’t seem to win any rewarding silverware in limited over cricket. We got the players, the coaching staff and loyalty support from the faithful supporters. So what is it that seems to be lacking for both South Africa’s sports giants?

I’m not about to criticise, just trying to evaluate the situation just as a typical South African patriotic supporter. So as far as I can remember from my primary school days, from when I was relentlessly bullied, and my high school years, where I was the ‘man to look up to’ (I was never a bully), once the bully has been confronted and defeated, the bully then loses his authority as well as his/her dignity. They would then regain back this authority and start bullying once again, repeating the cycle of bullying. A little bit immature not so? Well that’s how we the South African supporters are witnessing the situation, particularly how the Proteas have been playing in ICC cup tournaments throughout the past decade.

The Proteas’ preparation leading up to the T20 World Cup was not initially a thriller of a performance. The Proteas went over to Zimbabwe in June were they displayed the most atrocious T20 cricket they've played in a very long time. To simplify the outcome, they truly undermined their opponents (Zimbabwe) which at the end didn't do any justice for them as they had done poorly in the ICC T20 World Cup 2012 in Sri Lanka. In that same triangular series tournament in Zimbabwe, 25 year old Lions all-rounder, Chris Morris, was given an opportunity to represent his country – and took it! He was absolutely fantastic with the ball. But he’s not featured in the World Cup T20 squad. I understand that he originally got his chance to play in Zimbabwe because some of the players were being rested for the Test matches in England that following month, but if a player is given a chance and does well; doesn't that at least grant him another chance to really prove his consistency in international cricket?

 After the dismal performance we displayed with the ball (particularly the seamers) against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, I then thought I’d surely see Lonwabo Tsotsobe feature in the next match. But instead Parnell was selected over Tsotsobe. Not that Tsotsobe is a better bowler than Parnell, but Parnell is currently not consistent at the moment. You simply can’t win world cups with inconsistent performances. And after all, Tsotsobe is the world’s third best ranked ODI bowler. Why not give him a chance? He’s third in limited overs cricket for a reason! This then leads to two definite questions that could be answered instantly, if answered honestly. Did they not playing Tsotsobe because he’s not an all-rounder like Parnell? Or did they simply not playing him because his skills are consistently undermined. 

#Underdogs #T20 World Cup #Proteas #Triangular Series

-Mandilulame Manjezi 

@JizzyJakes

An Adventure With The Titans

“Okay boys! You guys shall be training with the Titans today. This is a learning opportunity, I really hope you’ll use it efficiently –and remember, BE VERY PROFESSIONAL OUT THERE!” These words from our academy coach, Mark Charlton, really gave me shivers down my spine.

As the Northerns Titans Affiliated cricket academy in Pretoria we had been invited to join one of the Nashua Titans’ training sessions in preparation for the big cricketing event that shall take over South Africa in a few days’ time –The Champions League Twenty 20. The Nashua Titans, as well as their provincial neighbors, the Highveld Lions, managed to obtain a spot in inaugural tournament by qualifying for the finals of the South African domestic T20 MiWay Tournament.

We the Academy players were thrilled for what the mighty Titans had under their sleeves for us on the day. Instead of sitting around like a flock of chickens ready to be slaughtered, we decided to head on to the green pastures of the historical SuperSport Park and warm ourselves up by kicking a soccer ball around. During our intense warm up, the Titans players emerged from the changing room and led themselves down the long towered stairs of SuperSport Park and on to the field were they would start their own warm up below the stands on the field.

We cut our warm up session to a complete stop and stared at them working on their warm up while we sat on the grass amazed and muttered by how they conducted themselves with just a simply warming up –It was crazy! One of the academy guys screamed excitedly “Shit! There’s Jacques Rudolph!” then realizing afterwards that he sounded like a 5 year old groupie seeing his hero face-to-face for the first time. The other academy boys gave him that “don’t embarrass us bro” type of look after his moment of excitement.

It was now time to get on with the real business. The opening batting pair of Pieter Malan and Henry Davids strolled onto the middle were the practice would take place, after their very long team talk with the Titans coach and former English county cricket Glamorgan batsman –Matthew Maynard. Surprisingly it was the Titans left-arm spinner, Roelof Van Der Merwe, who opened the bowling along with T20 bowling specialist, Alfonso Thomas. I assume that’s their plan heading into their first match against Australia’s Perth Scorchers.

There was good cricket all around with Thomas showcasing the different skills he has gained from playing T20 cricket all over the world and Davids middling the ball with each stroke he played. I managed to get a chance to ask CJ De Villiers for some advice on bowling cutters. He gladly showed me one of his favourite –and then executed it for me to demonstrate how it works. It was all breath taking.

Next pair to bat was the dynamic wicket-keeper batsman, Heino Kuhn, along with veteran county cricket batsman, Martin Van Jaarsveld, who seemed to be really struggling against the Titans pace bowlers that consisted of Thomas, Ethy Mbhalati and CJ De Villiers. Cursing vicious swear-words and relentlessly shouting at himself with every shot he mistimed into the humid air of Centurion.

The session lasted about 3 hours of hard intensive cricket under the hot African heat. It was undoubtedly a really fantastic experience with South African cricket’s T20 champions. The Nashua Titans start their campaign in the T20 Champions League on October 13, so don’t miss out on the action. Get to SuperSport Park to catch the mighty Titans live displaying much elegant and delightful cricketing action!

-Mandilulame Manjezi
@JizzyJakes