SACricketMag.com’s composite XI, selected from the month’s top performers in international, franchise and provincial cricket.
1. Ed Moore
The Warriors won’t win the 2019 4-Day Franchise Series, but will boast the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer. The talented left-hander struck two first-class tons in East London this month alone.
2. Quinton de Kock
He capped a fruitful month, which started with a fourth Test century against Pakistan at the Wanderers, with a 100th ODI cap – and a series-deciding 83 – against the same opposition at Newlands.
3. Marques Ackerman
The Dolphins left-hander’s December was highlighted by captaining the Cricket South Africa Invitation XI against Pakistan – and inspired confidence for several meaningful contributions to his franchise in January.
4. Keegan Petersen
Complementary 70-odds against the Dolphins and Lions, followed big twin centuries – 161 and 165 not out in Bloemfontein – against the Cape Cobras for the 25-year-old, who left the Cobras for the Knights a couple of seasons ago.
5. Kagiso Rapulana
New South African U19 captain and List A debutant centurion Matthew Montgomery was the initial choice for this berth, until the Lions star struck a second first-class century in as many weeks.
6. Hanno Kotze
The loan provincial representative in this hypothetical XI, the Boland captain was marvelous en route to a double century in the CSA 3-Day Provincial Cup. His 222 against North West spanned almost six hours at the crease.
7. Sinethemba Qeshile (wicketkeeper)
Sound behind the stumps and consistent with the bat across three consecutive half-centuries, the Warriors’ 19-year-old is arguably the find of the 2019 4-Day Franchise Series, especially after starring in victory over the table-topping Cobras.
8. Bjorn Fortuin
The Lions all-rounder was on point with bat and ball this month, gathering a telling innings seven-for against the Knights – and striking a near double-ton during a triple-century stand with debutant Delano Potgieter against the Warriors.
9. Dane Piedt (captain)
Piedt will end the 2019 4-Day Franchise Series as the leading wicket-taker by a veritable country mile – and he collected a maiden first-class century against the Knights this month. He’ll likely lead the Cobras to the title, too, if the Lions don’t beat them to it.
10. Kagiso Rabada
The lanky pace ace took 17 wickets in three Tests against Pakistan – and then played all five ODIs against the same opposition. Player rotation and experimentation didn’t extend to him for the pre-World Cup limited-overs fixtures.
11. Duanne Olivier
Success in late last year’s Mzansi Super League, and seamer Vernon Philander’s injury, yielded a Test recall for the energetic fast bowler, who duly capitalised against Pakistan for the Player of the Series accolade.
Photo: Richard Huggard | Gallo Images
