Proteas call up Abbot

Mike what has happened to De Lange - now that guy really looked impressive on his debut.

Why in the world is Thami there. De Kock surely ahead of him!!!!!!!! Duminy is running out of chances as well and ditto Tahir.

I get an uneasy feeling this is not a merit based selection?

Johannesburg - Dolphins fast bowler, Kyle Abbott, has been added to the Proteas' squad for the second Test against India, starting in Durban on December 26.

Abbott is brought in as cover for Morné Morkel, who badly sprained his ankle in the first Test at the Wanderers over the weekend.

The Test finished in a thrilling draw after South Africa finished on 450/7, chasing 458 for victory.

The Proteas travel to Durban on Monday to begin preparations for the match.

Proteas squad:

Graeme Smith (captain), AB de Villiers (vice-captain),Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis,Dean Elgar, Imran Tahir, Jacques Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Thami Tsolekile.

Beeno

Abbott is  very good bowler - was excellent when called up previously in a trest last year and if my memory serve me correctly he was the MOM in that test.   Very much a merit selection for Kingsmead - since it is his home ground.

Tsolekile is definitely not in the squad on merit and he is there for political reasons.   As much was said in  recent statement where Graeme Smith allegedly said that he would quit as captain if Tsolekile is put in the match day squad.    There was a storm of denials by SA Cricket - but the comment was made as part of the denial that there are not enough Black cricketers coming through - so he must be in the squad. 

Duminy is in as a so-called all rounder - a batter that can spin balls - but his batting in all recent matches was a joke.  He made one good score in the first ODI against India - but that was when as a result of De Kock - there was no pressure on the lower order batters.   Under pressure his batting fails miserably.  

What Robin Peterson is doing in the squad is another mystery.  Alviro Petersen is a nice guy - but he fails regularly with the bat and his only decent performance was in the second innings of the last test.  

Too many players in the squad are not really merit selections - but BEE ones.        

Honestly how in hells name can you have a term in any sport termed:

A THRILLING DRAW.

That is why Twenty/20 cricket is so popular and gaining...they always have a winner.

A cricket draw after 5 days play is a dismal excuse for boring and inexcusable sportmanship. 

Teams that don't play to win should have their salaries/income slashed accordingly. 

For instance Dummy (?) should have to pay into the cricket board rather than receive funds and scoring 130 after 500 plus balls and 400 odd minutes at the wicket ain't cricket its a bore. 

Wake up or Shake up.