Squad for upcoming two tests against Sri Lanka

I thought I read somewhere that there is no selection Committee anymore - but I was wrong because there still is a selection committee of fools and Boucher must accept the duds they select. 

So here is the squad they have selected for the upcoming two tests against SriLanka:-

Quinton de Kock  - Captain

Temba Bavuma

Aidan Markram

Faf du Plessis

Beuran Hendriks

Dean Elgar

Keshav Maharaj

Lungi Ngidi

Rassie can der Dussen

Sarel Erwee

Anrich Nortje

Glenton Stuurman

Wiaan Mulder

Keegan Petersen

Kyle Verreynne

If I gave to select a team based on recent form for the test - my choice would be the followingL-

Aidan Markram

Sarel Erwee

Temba Bavuma

Rassie van der Dussen

Kyle Verreynne

Quinton de Kock

Wiaan Mulder

Denton Stuurman

Keshav Maharaj

Anrich Nortje

Lungi Ngidi

I would leave out 

*     Faf du Plessis since he is not really interested continuing as a test player anymore;

*     Dean Elgar was not good enough in recent games;

*     Beuran Hendriks is super shit and not an international cricketer, and

*     Stuurman is a better bowler than Petersen who is more of an all rounder,   

"I thought I read somewhere that there is no selection Committee anymore - but I was wrong because there still is a selection committee of fools and Boucher must accept the duds they select. "

Sorry to say but that's exactly what I told you, but no, you kept knocking Bouch and Smithy.

The new convener of selectors is an absolute goose.

I still think the selectors select a squad - for instance  against the English they picked a 22 man squad - and  from those Boucher and Smith must pick 11 players and the two are not exactly blameless in that case.

Why like in the case of rugby they cannot leave all selections to the Director of Cricket and the Head Coach beats me hollow.   

Stop thinking South African selections are normal selections in a normal society, y ou should know that in a normal society selections are merit based.

Denny

I agree with you about the normal selection absence in SA - but how did Erasmus overcame that one  and stull manage to ensure the Springboks win the WC?   One can accept that Erasmus is a brilliant guy - but the Cricket lot should consult with him before they make selections that weakens the team/

In any event I think that my suggested team is more in line with Erasmus' approach to team selection, and hope that my selections are the ones aimed on a longer run for the Proteas going forward,            

Erwee is 31 years old and Stuurman is 28 years old....bit late to start a test career don't you think?

If age is not a thing then why drop the experience of Faf? The only young batsman with potential going forward is Kyle Verreynne

Are u sure about Mulder? His averages is super kak.

Also don't think De Kock should be the test captain, there's too much responsibili ty resting on his shoulders.

Erwee was very good in the last two 4 day series.   I agree about the age issue  in his case -they should  rather gone for a younger player - but I suppose Erwee forced his way in,   He has constantly performed better than Elgar for the last two seasons and Elgar is two years older,   I think that he should be replacing Elgar as opening batsman, but think he should be regarded as an  interim selection while waiting for youngsters to come through as opening batsmen,    Bavuma is definitely not an opening batsman,  

Mulder was off for a long time with an injury.   He came back and did very well for the Highveld Lions against the Warriors scoring 91 and 100 in the two innings in the game and was economical in bowling as well.    He played in  few games when hew as 19=20 years ago and seemed to have matured since then.    Would rather play him as an all=riounder ahead of Pretorius and some others, 

I agree with you about De Kock being captain - but who should it be?  Bavuma  is old to start  captaining and is not even a certainty for the team  he is not really a merit decision - but rather a quota selection.   Rabada is not captain material - neither is anyone else.            

I was about to ask the same question.  Raynor Van Tonder is another who deserves a spot.

Denny

I agree with your comments on Malan  and Van Tonder - but as long as Du Plessis and  Elgar are in the squad they will never select those two,   

After the disastrous performances  of the Proteas in 2019 there was speculation in the media that Steyn and Du Plessis would retire,   Faf  then said he was going to 'leave international cricket after the T20 WC in 2020 - but that series never took place.   

D uplication

Elgar is a poor apology of a batsman. 

They're not picking players with an eye to the future.

Denny

again 100% correct,   There is too much a jobs for pals attitude and I do think that there is also a degree of dislike of Smith of De Kock for replacing him in the ODI side .   That also bedevils the situation further,

They will not get the team  better by using failed players on international basis,   They  should start rebuilding the team from the bottom up - not from the top down.  Pruning the rot on top is  the wa y to go,   

I missed this bit..."I do think that there is also a degree of dislike of Smith of De Kock for replacing him in the ODI side ."

Tell me about it. Are you saying Smith was dropped and replaced by De Kock is the cause fof some hard feelings?

Elgar averages 38 in tests, has plenty experience and is as gritty as they come.

He's also one of our better players of spin.

We need experience right now, particularly up front. A competent cricket man would know that.

FYI, Elgar's opening partners have been the problem. 

Denny

Yes - Smith  wanted De Kock out as captain -- bit there seems to be resistance from some quarters against that idea,

Denny

Yes - Smith  wanted De Kock out as captain -- bit there seems to be resistance from some quarters against that idea,

Plum

The opening partners was a problem - but  Elgar is  getting on and his latest test performances  were far from convincing,   Neither was his resent 4 fay form,    He is getting on in tears amd hos defective batting technique is going to be effecting his performances more readily than iof e really gad a top clas s technique.   Denny is right in that regard, 

What has Bavuma done to earn selection?

Nothing much - but he is a quota  beneficiary.