SACricketMag.com’s composite XI, selected from the month’s top performers in international, franchise, provincial and U19 cricket.
1. Reeza Hendricks
Curently the leading run-scorer in the 2019 One-Day Cup, Hendricks banged a big ton against the Dolphins, which was followed by a near century versus the Titans.
2. Ed Moore
Arguably South Africa’s next Test batsman, Moore is relishing a prolific season. The Warriors’ first-class campaign is over, but his fine form continued with an unbeaten double-century for Eastern Province.
3. Kyle Verreynne
Verreynne continues to impress for the Cape Cobras, who have benefited from two half-tons and a century. At the time of writing, he was second only to Hendricks among the One-Day Cup’s leading run-scorers.
4. Obus Pienaar
The South Western Districts’ ample talent was exemplified by nine key wickets a fine century and a complementary half-ton against KwaZulu-Natal in Oudtshoorn.
5. George Linde
Consistent with bat and ball, the left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder is enjoying a standout season. Perhaps there is international merit in former Proteas selector and current Cobras coach Ashwell Prince’s high-stakes praise of Linde.
Also read: Team of the Month – January 2019
6. Bryce Parsons
South Africa U19 were struggling during this month’s two-nil Youth Test series defeat to India. Parsons, though, found some individual success via consecutive half-centuries – and six wickets in the series opener.
7. Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper)
The lone Test representative in this month’s hypothetical XI, De Kock welcomed three half-centuries against Sri Lanka, while the rest of the top through middle order failed.
8. Dane Paterson
Fast bowler Duanne Olivier’s decision to pursue a Kolpak contract might push the One-Day Cup’s current joint-leading wicket-taker higher in the Proteas’ pecking order.
9. Glenton Stuurman
The second Eastern Province star in this XI, Stuurman reached 150 first-class wickets on the back of three consecutive innings five-wicket hauls this month.
10. Imran Tahir
One presumes Tahir will be the only wrist spinner in South Africa’s World Cup squad, leaving the Titans’ Tabraiz Shamsi at home. For now, though, Tahir is biding time via a string of sound performances in the One-Day Cup.
11. Lifa Ntanzi
Being a fast bowler in sub-continental conditions is a tiring, often thankless job. Ntanzi, though, extracted enough life from characteristically dull decks to take seven wickets in two Youth Tests against India U19.
Photo: Gallo
