• SA must turn it around

    South Africa must play their best possible XI in the first Test match against Bangladesh.

    The Proteas have to turn things around in the Test series after losing the ODIs 2-1. That series defeat was a very big setback for the team. They gave South Africa a severe beating in the third ODI so it wasn’t even a close game.

    Except for AB de Villiers, it was the best XI who played but it turned out to be a shocker. How experienced players ‘misjudge’ the conditions is strange.

    A point of concern for me was the fact that we had three left-handed batters in a row against their off-spinners. They maybe didn’t take that into consideration.

    Quinton de Kock’s form is a concern and the team management will have to do something to turn his situation around. Maybe moving him down the order is the best solution for now.

    Nothing really stood out for me in terms of our performances on tour so far. We were average in the T20Is and underperformed badly in the one-dayers.

    I would pick the best possible Test side for the first game. Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel will be back, but Vernon Philander hasn’t played that much recently. Kagiso Rabada did well in the ODIs, but I would not change the Test team just yet.

    South Africa need to turn it around in the two Test matches and they probably will, but it needs to be really good performances.

    I must also note the incredible turnaround Australia made in the second Ashes Test. Mitchell Johnson has really stepped up after a period of average performances.

    What must be of real concern for England is the terrible lack of quality batsmen in their top five. Adam Lyth is out of his depth at the top of the order and the England bowlers also failed to bowl Australia out.

    The third Test will be a decisive one in the context of the series.

    Post by

    Graeme Pollock