Ken Borland

Questions and answers

sherwin king asked:What is the likelihood of Ashwell Prince being dropped for Alviro Petersen, to open, and Jacques Rudolph batting at 6?Ken answered:That is a possibility – convenor of selectors Andrew Hudson was being very cagey about that when I asked him, which makes me think they’re up to something!  Johann asked:Hi Ken

Can you please tell me on average over the last 10 test played in Durban how many overs have been lost per test due to bad light?

Either the games in Durban should start at 9:30 or the boxing day test”s in future should be moved to P.E.

Best Regards.Ken answered:Hi Johann
Sjoe, I’m afraid I’d have to research such a complicated stat and then I wouldn’t get round to answering the rest of the questions!
But generally play ends around 4pm in Durban, which means about 20 overs a day are lost, what with the slow over-rates!
They have tried starting at 9.30 in Durban, but the problem with that is, inevitably, after the first day, you lose time and then you have to start at 9am, which is just way too early – remember that India Test in the mid-90s when they were bowled out for less than a hundred twice? That happened then.
They did play a Boxing Day Test in PE a few years ago, but there wasn’t much crowd support and they ran into the same problems with fading light ….  charmaine asked:Why do some players get mre chances than others…is it comen to drop some1 even though they are doing a gud job for the team plz help me understand what the thinking behind these changes areKen answered:Selection is often controversial. Some players do get more chances because the selectors see some talent in them that just needs time to develop fully – Jacques Kallis is an example, he scored just 57 runs in his first 7 innings (and that included a 39)! But he was persevered with, thank goodness!
Sometimes players who have done well are dropped because there is simply a better player or a more in-form player around eg Alviro Petersen being left out for the Australia series. I was once dropped after taking 4-20 in the previous game, it happens!  jeandre asked:Hey ken i cant heip to wonder but this series is all ready won the proteas just need to show up and play like we know they can. I think srilanka got it wrong to name dilshan as capt because it is clear it effected his batting, his not half the player he was before he become capt and with murli , malinga and vass gone there bowling is just not that good enough we still have to preform but i will be suprised if we lose this one you thoughts?Ken answered:Hi Jeandre, I will also be very surprised if we lose, but the Proteas definitely can’t just show up and play. They have a lot to prove in this series because they haven’t won a series at home in three years. They need to beat Sri Lanka in ruthless, efficient fashion.
Dilshan is still relatively new to the captaincy and I think needs to be given more time to grow into it. Their bowling has been severely weakened, but any attack losing Murali, Vaas and Malinga would be! They’ve also lost a handful of other pacemen to injury.  Imtiaz Wadia asked:Where would you rate Boucher as a batsman when compared to Dhoni,Haddin and Prior.Ken answered:Dhoni is obviously an exceptional talent because his batting is so strong, plus he’s a good wicketkeeper as well!
I believe Boucher can match Haddin and Prior in terms of ability, but unfortunately is failing to do so. Samieg asked:Hi

I know that Boucher has been a great servant for SA cricket, but is it not time for us to make a change in that position? I don’t know when last he contributed something meaningful with the bat and his inclusion in the test team makes our tail look awfully long. What’s your opinion on dropping Boucher and what options do we have if we replace him?

Regards,Ken answered:Hi Samieg
The last bit of your question is the important bit – what options do we have if we drop Boucher? It’s no good dropping someone if the replacement is not going to be as good! Unfortunately we don’t really know whether Boucher’s potential replacements will be up for Test cricket. But Boucher needs to perform soon (probably in this Test), otherwise change will be forced on us.
For my views on the contenders, see my answer to Matthew at 09h00 …  Huzaifa Daya asked:Hi Ken, hope you keeping well. I”m happy to see Alviro Petersen back in the squad. My only concern is Mark Boucher”s place in the team, can”t we find a reliable wicket-keeper batsman? Heino Kuhn hasn”t impressed me. Who do you think can take the gloves from Mark. I appreciate what Boucher has done for the Proteas, being a great servant of the game. However, I feel it”s time for him to retire as batting has let us down so often. I feel like we are the only team where our tail starts with our wicket keeper. Also, I think JP deserved a go ahead of Prince. Anyways, I”m so much looking forward to this test series. Thank You :)Ken answered:Hi Huzaifa, I am well, thanks, hope Lusaka is treating you well too!
For my Boucher views, see my answers to Samieg above and Matthew at 09h00.
Prince scored a half-century in the last Test, so it would be harsh to drop him. Andre asked:What do you think about getting young Quinton de Kock in the squad for this series, it seems like the perfect series to look for some new talent?Ken answered:We need to develop a ruthless touch and win our first series at home for three years so, no, I don’t think we should be experimenting too much.  Joe asked:Hi Ken
Will de Lange play???
Who is the main Sri Lanka bowler SA should be worried about??Ken answered:Hi Joe
I doubt De Lange will play, he’s just there for the experience, but he’s one for the future.
Sri Lanka’s pace attack will be led by the veteran Dilhara Fernando, who we know very well, but their best bowlers are probably spinners Rangana Herath and Ajantha Mendis, who is something of a “mystery” bowler, although the SA Invitation XI seemed to have him pretty well worked out in Benoni!  Ismail asked:Hi Ken. With utmost respect to the Sri Lankans, i owuld consider anything but a series win for SA in all formats a ”loss” / underachievement. Am i being too harsh/demanding of our team? Thanx for your time.Ken answered:Hi Ismail
Not at all – I would go further and say we should win the series well, too. Your expectation is very fair!  Ismail asked:Hi Ken. Will our speed ”Marchant” be given a go? – our attack as i see it would be Steyn, Philander, Morkel, Marchant/Tahir depending on pitch conditions. also add Kallis for a few overs!Ken answered:Hi Ismail (again? (: )
I don’t think Marchant de Lange will play (nice pun by the way …)
If four seamers (Steyn, Morkel, Philander, Kallis) aren’t going to do the job then neither will five. Plus I’m sure a spinner will be necessary and Tahir knows the ground well, it’s been hot and dry in Centurion this week as well.  Ismail asked:Hi Ken. Due respect to Boucher – we need to groom another wicketkeeper quickly & the next 2 test series provides the ideal time so that by the England series we do have an experienced frontline keeper to take us forward. Your toughts?Ken answered:Hi Ismail (yet again? (: )
I agree, grooming another wicketkeeper is our most pressing need. But the problem is I don’t think anyone knows who Boucher’s successor will be! But Boucher needs to lift his game and is under pressure to perform in this Test, otherwise the change will happen sooner rather than later. I think the selectors are hoping Boucher performs to buy them some more time!PLEASE GO TO http://www.supersport.com/cricket/sa-team/news/111213/QA_Proteas_v_SL FOR THE REST OF THE Q&A