• Selection headache ahead

    The South African selectors have some tough decisions to make going forward after the recent tour by New Zealand.

    South Africa did well to win the final ODI and thereby the series, but overall they are not playing good cricket consistently enough. I don’t think there is much we can take out of the series against New Zealand.

    There is still uncertainty over the No 6, 7 and 8 positions in the batting order. With Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy returning for the tour to India in October and November, a reshuffling of the batting order is likely.

    AB de Villiers never got a chance to bat at three against the Black Caps, but I seriously think it is the best position for him. It’s a key position and you want your best batsman to face as many deliveries as possible.

    Quinton de Kock is due to come back for Morne van Wyk and open the batting with Hashim Amla, but Du Plessis’ return leaves Rilee Rossouw out in the cold. Having Rilee bat at seven is a problem because he doesn’t bowl and I fear we may come up a bit short.

    I would pick David Wiese at No 7 ahead of Farhaan Behardien because he is a more reliable bowler. South Africa need the top six to score more consistently and lay a foundation for the likes of Wiese to come in at seven and have a hit. Even though he played some good knocks in the IPL, I think we’re a little suspect with him there.

    Having said that, I believe bowling is more important than batting at No 7. Wiese is a better fifth bowler than Behardien, who hasn’t been bowling regularly lately.

    Looking at the bowling attack, Morne Morkel will obviously return to the side. I would stick with Kagiso Rabada ahead of Vernon Philander with Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir rounding out the rest of the XI.

    Post by

    Graeme Pollock