My Q&A for SuperCricket on the South Africa v Sri Lanka ODI series (lots of Test overflow too …)
alfred asked:
d u think it ws a nice move to replace d.elgar wit albie ahead of c.ingram by da way im a big fan of albie
Ken answered:
I can only imagine they wanted someone who can bowl a bit … Elgar bowls a bit of left-arm spin and Morkel is of course a seam bowler, so that’s probably why.
Alex asked:
Good Day.
I would like to hear your thoughts on the inconsistencies in the Proteas” performance. In recent test series, they have often started well in the first test, only to fail miserably in the second (West Indies, Australia, Sri Lanka). ODI performances have been similarly erratic, do you consider this aspect a substantial issue in their OD-game, or rather inherent to the shorter format?
Ken answered:
Hi Alex, I think inconsistency is their biggest problem across all formats! We keep losing matches we never should given the talent in the side.
Great asked:
Is the captain greame smith is doing enough for proteas in test series!?.
Ken answered:
Graeme has averaged 40 in the last year of Test cricket – and South Africa is the hardest place in the world to open the batting. So yes, I would say he’s doing enough.
ravi moodley asked:
Lets face it our batsman are chokers. After years of denying this , I have finally accpted this. Do they lack big match temperament.How do you solve this.
Ken answered:
If I knew the answer, I could probably be the batting coach! They’ve chased down over 400 in Australia, many other successful 4th innings chases, 438 in an ODI game … so they have the temperament. But I think when things start going wrong, they panic. And at times they play too aggressively so that things start going wrong!
siddharth asked:
do you think the 2-1 series victory for sa was satisfactory as i felt it was not? why did sa give venues that would srilanka wouldnt this go against us or is it possible sa could still influence groundsman to prepare a bit of life in pitch by leaving some grass? your thoughts
Ken answered:
Conditions are absolutely no excuse, we were still playing at home and there was more than enough in it for our bowlers. Newlands was flat and we bowled them out twice in two days! Yet another batting failure in Durban stopped us from winning 3-0, which is what we should have done.
Ashley asked:
Hi Ken,Do you feel that upcoming ODI series will be closely contested ? In which departments will the series be won/lost. My starting eleven for the first ODI will look like this, Smith; Amla; Kallis, De Villiers, Duminy, Du Plessis,A Morkel, J Botha; M Morkel; Steyn; Tsosobe. What do you think? I would have included Alviro Petersen in the ODI sqaud.
Ken answered:
Hi Ashley
Yes, I think Sri Lanka will be very competitive, especially since conditions in Paarl, East London, Bloemfontein and Kimberley will suit them.
I think South Africa’s batting holds the key – whether they can dominate Malinga, Kulasekara & Mendis and post big scores.
I like your starting XI.
Petersen is probably not far away, but at the moment the top-order is quite settled.
gasan asked:
Why isn”t levi added in the od squad sa need a opening batsman that”s aggressive?
Ken answered:
I think Smith and Amla have shown they are quite aggressive enough.
Thurst asked:
Do you not think that we should build up a team for the next CWC? Are players like Kallis,Smith,Prince etc going to be around for the next CWC? Why not start developing a team now? And why are the groundsmen not preparing pitches that give us the home advantage?
Ken answered:
Well Prince has been out of the ODI side for years and Kallis and Smith will be the big questions that need answering.
Groundsmen should just produce good cricket pitches, our side should be able to win on them and therefore be better prepared for conditions elsewhere in the world. The last test at Newlands was a case in point.
Jacques Human asked:
Hi Ken, I apologize for this question not being ODI related, but don”t you agree that the time has come to seriously start searching for a replacement for Mark Boucher and who do you believe could be the player that can fill those shoes?
Ken answered:
Hi Jacques, the Boucher succession issue is getting urgent, but I don’t even know who it is!
Kuhn, Smit, Tsolekile and Vilas have all put their hands up superbly at domestic level. Smit and Tsolekile are the best glovemen, while Vilas is the most destructive batsman and Kuhn bats in the top-order as well.
denver asked:
Why is van Zyl of the Cobras not in the squad? Will they only use him for T20”s?
Ken answered:
Stiaan? I don’t think he’s having a great season … even the Cobras have left him out.
Julius Kola asked:
Why the selectors did not select Richard Levi than Albie Morkel because I think he is too better than Albie or how do you take this
Ken answered:
Richard Levi does not bowl and I think they wanted someone to slot in at 6/7 who is a hard-hitting batsman and bowler. Levi bats in the top-order and that’s pretty settled at the moment.
daren asked:
Do u think SL should have played Medis in tests and do you think he will be a factor in the odi”s?
Ken answered:
I’m sure Mendis will be a factor in the ODIs. He didn’t play in the Tests because conditions never really warranted 2 spinners – plus they had Dilshan to support Herath. Mendis is more of an attacking spinner and sometimes struggles to build pressure, which you need in Test cricket.
Tsepho asked:
Hi Ken,
i”m glad the proteas showed some character in the final match of the test series but i have niggling worries about how we lack the momentum of keeping the good perfomance, so do you tink this ODI series will go to the final match as 2-2 or we will kill this one convincingly.
thank you
Ken answered:
Hi Tsepho
History suggests your worries are well-founded! The Proteas far too often follow up a good performance with a poor one. And, playing in venues like Paarl, East London, Bloemfontein and Kimberley with potentially slower pitches, will also suit Sri Lanka, so I think the ODI series could be tough.
Muki asked:
Hi Ken,Do you think that we tend to be a bit too premature with our celebrations and praise when in comes to Protea”s victories and not honest enough with our selves when it comes to honest scrutiny of performances?
Who in your opinion should be the final eleven in both tests and ODI with the captaincy?
Thanks for your thoughts
Ken answered:
Hi Muki
I think the fans tend to be too extreme in both their praise and criticism. When we win, we’re the best in the world, when we lose, we’re the worst! There’s no middle ground.
I would leave the test team as is.
For the ODIs, a lot depends on conditions and whether the opposition as more left-handed or right-handed batsmen … but something like this – Smith, Amla, Kallis, De Villiers, Duminy, Du Plessis, Morkel, Botha/Peterson, Steyn, Morkel, Tsotsobe.
Craig Scannell asked:
HI Ken,Overall I am happy with how we ended the test series but I am still concerned over the lack of that “killer” instinct. I think we should have been more clinical, and never have given them a sniff.
With the ODI”s starting now I think we should really nuckle down and clean them up. I am happy to see Albie in the team and do you think Gary will give him more time in middle and not just 5 overs at the end? He is a quality player and not just a finisher. If he can get more overs he could really be devastating. Personally I think he should be in number 6 with 15 or 20 overs left in the match. Looking forward to to seeing AB captain – the man for future – a super guy.
Ken answered:
Hi Craig
Agreed, we should have won the tests 3-0.
Albie – like most batsmen – likes a little time to get himself in, so, depending on match situation, it would be ideal, I think, if he comes in with 10 overs left.
I think we’re all looking forward to the beginning of AB’s captaincy.
kemiso asked:
am still worried abt morne performance wit test dat he played he stl average on 30s we need to do sumthng abt it tsotsobe wil do the holding job better and get wickets coz wer want to be brutal
Ken answered:
Morne is not doing the holding job, he’s a strike bowler. He wasn’t at his best against Sri Lanka, agreed, but he showed glimpses of his best form. At his best, he’s amazing – he’s not number five in the test rankings for nothing!
Tsotsobe lacks penetration at test level and was injured, but I expect him to play a major role in the ODIs.
Jerry Kekana asked:
Hi Ken
I would like to know since Smith is no longer captain of ODsquad is not fair that if he is not performing he should be dropped?
Ken answered:
Hi Jerry
Smith certainly no longer has the protection of being captain and will be under some scrutiny for his place. If he fails in all five of these ODIs, then I would expect the selectors to start looking elsewhere, with an eye on the 2015 World Cup.
Mike Hirst asked:
Has the game changed so drastically that it”s necessary to have such major changes in the team when changing from 5 day tests to ODI”s? Why can”t your “best” team feature in both to test their skills against one another in new circumstances. The ODI team always looks experimental, almost like a watered down test side.
Ken answered:
The ODI game is pretty different from what’s required at test level, but the best cricketers can adapt to all formats. That’s why the core of the side is the same – Smith, Amla, Kallis, De Villiers, Steyn, Morkel.
Your middle-order batsmen need to have more hitting ability than in test cricket; your spinner needs to be more of a container than wicket-taker, and a bowler like Tsotsobe comes to the fore in restricting batsmen.
Andile asked:
if Proteas can just walk over the visitors by 5-0 win, how can it affect the ODI rankings?
Ken answered:
It looks as if South Africa will go from 4th to second, replacing Sri Lanka, who will drop to 6th!
We would still be seven points behind Australia …
Petrus asked:
Hi Ken.Don”t you think it would be nice if albie can play at 5? So he can get himself in to really get going.
Ken answered:
Hi Petrus
For Albie I think it’s more a matter of how many overs are left, rather than an actual batting position. I’d send him in with 10 overs to go.
Igenatius asked:
Hi Ken. Is it just me or does it feel like every time the Proteas have a win they have these massively inflated ego”s and need a good thumping to come back down to earth? Happened against the Aussies as well, only once they were on top of us it was really difficult to get back. It really looks like there is a problem with the players mind set. Win one convincingly then get hammered.. A lack of consistency and yet we think we the bees knees when we win. I”m not singling anyone out, but rather the team. Now I know we cannot win everything, but with the talent we have I am nearly positive we should be the best team in the world!
Ken answered:
Hi Igenatius
Consistency is the problem, but I’m not sure it’s because of over-inflated egos. If it is, then the public shares the blame because we’re the ones who shower unrealistic praise on them! But I agree, with the talent we have, we should be challenging for the number one ranking.
Glen asked:
Will Albie Morkel start?
Ken answered:
I would imagine so … but it depends on conditions in Paarl, they might prefer two frontline spinners.
ally asked:
by south africa winning this series of ODI convincingly it will place them above india who are currently second am i correct? another question is why hasnt tahir been selected?
Ken answered:
Yes, if South Africa win 5-0, 4-1 or 3-1 (1 washout), then they will overtake India in second place.
Being at home, South Africa have decided to attack Sri Lanka more with pace & seam, with the spinner as a container. That’s why Tahir has been dropped – he was more of an attacking option in the sub-continent.
Husein Ravat asked:
Hi Keni would like to point out something which i picked up from the series – We have AB Devilliers as our Keeper and Captain in the Odi,however in the test matches where there isnt the added responsibility of being Captain we opt not to play him as keeper.Your view?
Ken answered:
Hi Husein
There’s a lot more pressure on AB in test cricket in terms of his batting – he’s a key figure. He wants to concentrate on his batting in test cricket, quite rightly, because he’s our long-term successor to Kallis. Keeping wicket as well would be an unnecessary extra burden.
Chris Adams asked:
Surely if the selectors want to repay good form they would recall Colin Ingram?? He was 2nd top runscorer in the 1 day cup and has been getting lots of runs in the 4 day games. The captaincy seems to have helped him mature and he seems to understand his game better. I feel he was stuffed around in the national set up and we must remember he averages over 40 after 13 games. What are your views for Colin at 4 or 5??
Ken answered:
Ingram has been in great form – 3rd highest run-getter in 1-Day Cup. But Faf du Plessis & Elgar scored more than him, and Duminy had a better average. Plus all 3 of those batsmen are bowling options as well. He can consider himself unlucky not to be selected, but I reckon there just wasn’t space for all of them!
Deen asked:
Winning the toss and deciding to field by Sri Lanka and the chance that Kallis gave early in his innings not taken, could have changed the outcome of the test completely. To win a test with 10 wickets standing is a good win but the Proteas could be in great trouble if they underestimate the strengthened Sri Lanka team in the One Days”s
Ken answered:
I think Sri Lanka will be an even stronger outfit in the ODIs. Malinga is playing & conditions in Paarl, East London, Bloemfontein and Kimberley could suit them.
Tim Pillay asked:
hi Ken , SL will definitely be good opposition in the ODI competition , what do you believe are the key factors to SA success in the series ? and one more question is one that lingers for everone surely is that boucher should be ably replaced in all forms and why not start in this form of the game with a specialist keeper/batsmen and not AB ,we have plenty candidates which would allow AB to focus on being the skipper and racking up runs.thanks & regards
tim
Ken answered:
Hi Tim
At the moment the leadership are happy for AB to keep in ODIs as well, but I guess someone like a Vilas could be an option for the future if AB’s worload is getting too much.
The keys against Sri Lanka will be getting away to a good start against the new ball and scoring consistently through the middle overs, because Malinga is a handful at the death!
Nhlanhla asked:
AB de Villiers or Michael Clarke
Ken answered:
For what? Favourite singer?
Kyle asked:
Howsit KenWhats your thougths on this line up,Maybe one for the fure
H.Amla R.Levi C.Ingram (w) de Villiers(c) D.Smit(w) D.Miller D.Elgar J.Duminy Philander D.Steyn M.Morkel
Ken answered:
Well you’ve only got 3 frontline bowlers which is going to be a serious problem.
Lorna Browning asked:
Nobody ever mentions Morne van Wyk as a replacement for Boucher.
He always seems to score well and at a good rate.
Would appreciate your opinion.
Ken answered:
Morne van Wyk would be a capable replacement – except he’s 32 and wouldn’t really provide a long-term solution.
Tumelo asked:
Our captain has always been reluctant to keep wicket as he says he wants to concentrate on his batting, so why don”t we give a Dane Vilas a chance as he always proved to be a Batsman/wicket-keeper just like AB is
Ken answered:
AB is happy to keep wicket in the ODIs. But if the workload gets too much, then I would love them to have a look at Vilas.
Sizwe asked:
Given the way Kallis is playing, woudn”t it be good for him to open the batting with Amla with Smith coming on at 3. I remember he opened batting during the last Twenty20 World Cup and did well. Kallis & Amla can get quick runs for us which would take off some pressure from Graeme Smith.
Ken answered:
Both Graeme and Jacques are far more comfortable at 1 & 3 respectively. Don’t forget Graeme is a quicker scorer historically than Kallis, who can build the foundation of the innings after the openers take advantage of the first powerplay. Smith’s career strike-rate in ODIs = 81.72; Kallis 72.88.
Ruan asked:
Hi Ken
Would you give the new guys debuts in Paarl or would you wait till later in the series? what is SA best 11 in your opinion?
Thx
Ken answered:
Hi Ruan
Depends on the pitch, but I would go Smith, Amla, Kallis, De Villiers, Duminy, Du Plessis, Morkel, Botha/Peterson, Steyn, Morkel, Tsotsobe.
Tumelo asked:
Don;t you think we should be gambling with players like Levi?Do you think it was a great idea to choose 2 spinners in our conditions? cos we”d be playing to their strenth if we prepared a turning wicket
Ken answered:
Why gamble? We need to win the series first!
The two spinners are there to cover bowling against predominantly left-handed batsmen or right-handed. Botha turns the ball away from the left-hander and Peterson away from the right-hander.
Peter asked:
Leaving out Vernon Pilander and including Morne Morkel and Wayne Parnell amazes me.
Ken answered:
Even the Cobras leave Philander out of their limited-overs team! He’s more of a line-and-length type bowler, needs more variation. Morkel is awkward to score off because of the length he bowls and the bounce he gets; while Parnell is a swing bowler.
Scott Duncan asked:
Hi Ken,Would you keep AB behind the stumps or bring in a another keeper to see what life after Boucher may be like? Villas is in good form and wouldn”t weaken the batting at all. But assuming he doesn”t bat well, our batting line-up is rather strong with most our bowlers being capable with the bat so surely a risk worth taking. Let”s give a new keeper international exposure so when Bouchers time comes we won”t be left gambling behind the wicket. As the new captain, perhaps a little less work for AB wouldn”t hurt. Your thoughts?
Ken answered:
Hi Scott
I think the first option is to see how AB goes with batting 4, captaincy and keeping. If he’s not handling it all well, then yes, someone like Vilas should be looked at.
Gert James asked:
For a long period of time now there have been this sword hanging over Boucher”s head. I am a huge fan of him, but just looking at his recent test performances it has becoem abundantly clear that we need to bleed a new keepr into the SA setup immediately. wouldn”t it have made more sense to include one of either Smit, Villas or An Other in the one day squad against Sri Lanka and then have the option to take that player with when the face off against NZ and England later this year?
Ken answered:
The ODI demands are very different to the test demands, so I’m not sure it would fully answer the question of Boucher’s successor in the test team. I think the right move is to see how AB goes first, perhaps take a reserve wicketkeeper to NZ for the tests there.
Alan asked:
Hi Ken,The squad for the ODI”s looks strong and there seems to be much variety both in the batting and the bowling departments.
My question is on the exclusion of Imran Tahir? A leg spinner is definitely a very potent weapon in the shorter version of the game, and SA could have used his googly to try pick up wickets. What are your thoughts on his exclusion?
Ken answered:
Hi Alan
A leg-spinner only really works in limited-overs cricket as an attacking bowler, because they tend to be expensive. Playing at home, the selectors have felt our spinners will be more containing bowlers, while we attack the Sri Lankan batsmen with pace and seam.
Morne asked:
Seriously no Levi? Is this not our next big ODI hope?
Ken answered:
At the moment our top-order is pretty settled – Smith, Amla, Kallis – I don’t think there’s space for him at the moment. But he can’t be too far away …
Shiraz asked:
Hey Ken,I have a few questions:
1. How long do you think Mark Boucher has left in the test team and who do you think should replace him?
2. Do you think it would be better to have one captain across all formats as there might be a bit of a clash between the two?
3. And lastly, there was alot of hype over Imran Tahir being this destructive wicket-taking spinner but after watching him for the past 5 tests, he does not turn the ball that much for a Leg Spinner, do you think this was because of the pitch? He did not seem to persistently give the ball alot of flight especially against the top order batsmen which was disappointing. What are your thoughts?
Regards
Shiraz
Ken answered:
Hi Shiraz
Boucher has probably done enough to go to New Zealand and I know the coach and captain are very keen for him to go to England as well. I have no idea who should replace him! Kuhn, Smit, Tsolekile and Vilas have all put their hands up with great performances domestically. Smit and Tsolekile are the better glovemen, but Vilas is the most destructive batsmen & Kuhn is a top-order bat as well.
I doubt there’ll be any clash between Smith and De Villiers, so I think the current set-up is great. It allows Graeme to groom AB and AB gets plenty of experience under pressure in the ODIs.
Tahir didn’t get much opportunity in the tests because of the pitches, but I was heartened by his performance at Newlands, especially against the left-handers.
Nikhail Pillay asked:
Hi Ken…In my opinion Justin Ontong has been the best finisher in domestic limited overs cricket this season. Throw in his bowling and fielding and you have the complete ODI cricketer. Surely its time he was recalled?
We have seen major breakthroughs at test level in the last season of talented youngsters with very little first class experience i.e. Cummins, De Lange, Pattinson etc. I think SA have 2 potential superstars in wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock and spinner Prenalen Subrayen and perhaps they need to be thrown into the deep end sooner rather than later.
Ken answered:
Hi Nikhail
I agree with you 100% about Justin Ontong! He’s been magnificent in domestic cricket this year, is in his prime, experienced, and should be close to the team.
De Kock is a dark horse for the wicketkeeping berth – similar to when Boucher was first chosen! He’s obviously a great batting talent but, as a tall fellow, needs to work on his keeping a bit.
Subrayen, I’m afraid I’ve heard of, but have never seen, so I can’t comment.
The three guys you mention are all fast bowlers and it is perhaps easier for them to make an impact immediately, at a young age. It takes a long time for batsmen, spinners and wicketkeepers to fully know their games.
Dale asked:
Hi Ken,I hope that you are well.
I have a 2 part question.
1. Do you believe that Graeme Smith should still be in the ODI side, considering his recent form in ODI”s shouldn”t we look at giving another player an opportunity?
2. What do you think about Albie Morkel”s inclusion in the squad over a guy like David Miller?
Ken answered:
Hi Dale, all good thanks.
I think Graeme deserves his place, now that he’s unburdened of the captaincy, to show what he can do. But if he fails in all 5 ODIs, I would expect the selectors to start looking at their opening options.
Albie is in great form and brings a bowling option, so you can’t really compare him to Miller who, by the way, has been in awful form!
Ismail asked:
Hi Ken. Thanx for your time. I think AB is being put under immense but unnecessary pressure w.r.t. his captain/batting/keeping positions. With the stresses of international fixtures, a better route would be to get in a specialist keeper/batsman & thereby easing the burden on AB both mentally & physically. A recurrence of his back injury & the important innings he is expected to play will ultimately be our downfall as a human body can only take so much. I surely hope the selectors/Kirsten make decisions based on longetivity for all players concerned. Your thoughts on my concerns. Thanx.
Ken answered:
Hi Ismail,
Well it’s really funny that so many people are clamouring for AB to keep wicket in the test side as well, where the demands are far greater!
Your concerns are valid, but I think we need to look first at how AB handles captaincy, batting at 4 and keeping wicket. This is a good series to start.
Marnus Nolte asked:
Hi, is it a worry for the Proteas that they have played the least ODI matches in the top 10 with 22 matches? would that affect the overall form of the team?
Ken answered:
Hi Marnus
The Proteas do seem to be susceptible to rust, so yes, it is a concern. But there’s not much they can do about the schedule, and I guess the long break after the World Cup would also have been mentally and physically refreshing.
mabunda hj asked:
why J.kallis not be partnering H.Aamla in opening?What am predicting their partnership can be beneficial to the tea and the nation as well.
Ken answered:
I think Kallis is doing very nicely at 3, there’s no reason to move him. He can build an innings and provide a great foundation from there.
louis asked:
how far is that openar Levy from the national team?
Ken answered:
Not far at all I’d imagine! Next opening batsman in line?
Grant asked:
Hi Ken. Who do you think should open the batting for SA tomorrow and who”s gonna miss out on a place in the team?
Ken answered:
Hi Grant
Smith and Amla to open.
I’d expect Kleinveldt, Parnell and one of the spinners to miss out.
lunga gobozi asked:
isn”t this the right to introduce a young keeper like Villas to the squad to get a feel of international cricket? coz Boucher will not last forever
Ken answered:
Boucher is not in the ODI squad and De Villiers will keep wicket.
Nathi Duma asked:
looking at players like Kallis,Boucher and the World in 2015 is it a good idea to have them in the side rather than bringing in youngsters with 2015 as a vision.?Also Smith has under fired in recent series is the possibility of maybe bring back Gibbs whom current form down under questions the wisdom of the selectors of letting him go .
I also want to state that I am not taking away from these great cricketers of the past years
Ken answered:
I think Kallis and Smith are really the only questions for 2015. Will they still be up for it? Managing them and their successors – and Boucher – will be the biggest challenge for Gary Kirsten.
Gibbs has retired from international cricket, now only plays T20 at domestic level has well.
Otto Saayman asked:
Hi Ken! Thanks for the Q&A session. The recent success of debutants de Lange and Philander has given me reason to believe our domestic cricket standards have been lifted and the players find it easier to adjust to international competition. This is also, probably, due to better “off-the-field” preparation dedicated to new players in the national team. 4 – 5 years ago it seemed that the step up to the Proteas was too much to handle for new talent. Do you agree with these statements? And why, please, in your opinion do we see better performances from new Proteas? OR Do you think de Lange and Philander”s debuts were just a happy accident which we won”t be able to repeat?
Ken answered:
Hi Otto,
I would be inclined to say Philander has spent a long time honing his trade so that’s why he was ready. De Lange maybe more of a happy accident, although he is a great talent.
I’m not sure about our franchise cricket … I’ve watched some that is pretty poor, but it does still seem to produce good international cricketers.
Andre asked:
Good Day,
I would like to have your opinion on the whole Mark Boucher debate that has been taking place for a while now. People feel that he is below average and that his stats do tell a tale. The feeling is that D.Villas of the Cape Cobras is a more than capable replacement for Boucher.
Thank you
Ken answered:
Hi Andre
Boucher made important runs and kept really well at Centurion, but was disapppointing in Durban and Cape Town. I don’t know whether anyone’s quite ready to step up.
Vilas has been amazing for the Cobras, but needs to do a lot of work to get his wicketkeeping up to international standard.
Moses asked:
Is Boucher still the right man for the job?Would it be appropriate for V Philander to be given a chance on the ODI stage?
Ken answered:
Boucher is no longer in the ODI side and I don’t know if there’s anyone quite ready to replace him in the test side.
Philander is more of a line-and-length bowler, needs more variation for limited-overs cricket. He needs to play consistently for the Cobras in one-day cricket first.
Gerie asked:
Maybe the question is more applicable for test cricket, but anyway, why are helmets dark instead of white? Surely white will be much cooler than the dark colours. (Just look at the hot spot footage to see the hottest part of the body!!)
Ken answered:
Ha ha! I can remember when most helmets were white … not sure why they’ve changed. I guess it is cosmetic, all the times you get dinged on the head would show up as stains on the helmet!
Braam asked:
Hi Ken.What”s your thought on Venron Phillander playing for the ODI team? I feel he can become quite a good bowling allrounder, and play a similar role as what Shaun Pollock did for the Proteas. He”s a very disciplined bowler and can be quite explosive with the bat. Or is his batting not up to scratch to fill the role of an allrounder in the team.
I also want to know where”s Dave Miller? He looks to be a player with great potential?
Thanks!
Ken answered:
Hi Braam
Philander is more of a line-and-length bowler who needs more variation for limited-overs cricket. His batting has been disappointing at international level so far, so you can’t really consider him as an all-rounder.
Miller does have great potential but has suffered a dreadful loss of form this season.
lionel asked:
Hi is Abe going to be captain and wicketkeeper in the odi”s glad albie is back
Ken answered:
Hi Lionel
Yes, AB will be captain and wicketkeeper.
mohammed asked:
do u think sri lanka will win the odi series? they do have a really good odi squad
Ken answered:
They will be very competitive, I’m sure.
Rajean asked:
Hi Ken, I think that Rudolph was chosen to open the batting and should not be dropped down the order at the expense on Prince. In that case why not give another player who is in form at 6? What you think?
Ken answered:
Hi Rajean, Rudolph can bat anywhere from 1-6, that’s one of the reasons he was chosen.
Gary asked:
Hi KenHere”s my starting XI for Wednedsay.
Smith
Amla
Kallis
De Villiers (c)
Duminy
Du Plessis
A. Morkel
Botha (is he available???)
Steyn
M. Morkel
Tsotsobe
To be honest I would have replacedMOrne Morkel with Vernon Philander. He reminds me of a Shaun Pollock/Glenn McGrath tyoe bowler. He”s very valuable. Why is he not in ODI sqaud?
I would like to hear your comments.
Regards
Ken answered:
Hi Gary,
Yes, Botha is available and I like your starting XI.
Philander doesn’t even always play in the Cobras limited-overs team! He’s more of a line-and-length type bowler, needs more variation. Shaun Pollock found the same later in his career …
Tino asked:
Hi Ken,Question on Imran Tahir. It may be a bit too soon to call it, but personally i feel he has been heralded more than he was able to deliver, do you think its a case of lack of experience or its an issue of nerves at the highest level? I would not blame the pitches coz the same pitches he is bowling on are the same pitches that he has made a name for himself in domestic cricket…
Ken answered:
Hi Tino
The Centurion pitch was totally unsuitable for him and there was not as much bounce in Durban as there is often for Dolphins games.
He showed plenty of promise at Newlands and will get better the more test cricket he plays.
Greg asked:
When is Richard Levi going to get a chance – how much more can he do?? It really is schocking that he isnt playing any 4 day cricket either – and then we wonder why we lose players to England!
Ken answered:
Well you must ask the Cobras why Levi isn’t playing any four-day cricket.
The national ODI top-order is pretty settled with Smith, Amla and Kallis, but I reckon he may well be next in line.
rob asked:
does mark boucher warrant his spot in the team, would think its time to start finding a replacement – who would you recommend if not boucher?
Ken answered:
Boucher is not in the ODI side.
For the test team, see my answers above.
Adrian Caley asked:
Now that Boucher is no longer keeping in ODI”s do you not think that this will put added presure on AB, Captain, batting and keeping. Is it not time to blood a new keeper like Dane Vilas, who has been outstanding recently.
Ken answered:
Well I think we need to see first how AB handles the extra responsibility …
rh asked:
Don”t u think the way the Aussies have dealt with captains handover 4 the past few eras is the way to go rather than wholesale changes which is SA is fond of doin?
Ken answered:
No. Australia have sometimes had wholesale changes and at other times 3 different captains! Their current T20 captain, Cameron White, struggles to make the ODI side, so that can’t be good.
I’m excited about Smith grooming De Villiers and his eventual takeover.
James asked:
Hi Ken, As much as i admire Mark Boucher, are we doing enough to groom a replacement?
Ken answered:
Hi James
I think the problem is identifying the right replacement …
Edrich asked:
Boucher has been SA”s # 1 wicket keeper for many years. Enough”s beem said of his form (batting and keeping) of late. Who would be the most logical replacement for him if he retires / is dropped?
Ken answered:
See above answers.
Beano asked:
Hi, what is the decision behind leaving Imran Tahir out? and is this an indication of future ODI planning?
Ken answered:
Hi Beano
I’m sure Tahir will be back when conditions are more suited to using an attacking spinner.
Thabiso Lenkoe asked:
Do you think the inclusion of Albie Morkel will really boost the Proteas Squad?
Ken answered:
Yes – he’s in great form, very experienced and a frontline bowler as well as a devastating hitter.
Angus Clarke asked:
Relating to gen cricket stats, why are 50”s lost from a played stats when he gets a ton and 100s when he gets double? Everyone”s waiting for Tendulkar”s 100th 100. What if he gets a double ton? Does he lose his 100th ton? Is it not time to revise the way these stats are Calculated?
Ken answered:
I’m not sure who started that fallacy, but hundreds are not lost when a player scores a double! Nor does he get 2!
Lovemore samu asked:
why they didnt replace elger with JP Duminy,i think that would have been a wise move…i like his batting performance in middle order
Ken answered:
Duminy was already in the squad.
Francois asked:
Do you think big hitting A Morkel will have ”n influence in the series.
Ken answered:
Yes, hopefully – he’s in great form, very experienced and a frontline bowler as well as a devastating hitter.
johan asked:
Why do we put the unnecessary pressure on AB as to be wicket keeper as well as captain and specialist batsman [top 4]. Ideal opportunity to introduce future SA keeper [Quinton de Kock or Vilas] ?
Ken answered:
See above answers.