Australia won’t have to face the batting prowess of young Quinton de Kock who has been given the cold shoulder by Cricket South Africa who named a 15 man Test squad to take on Australia in the upcoming three match Test series.
By Michael Marnewick
With an eye to the future, de Kock’s inclusion would hint at a boldness from the selectors, instead CSA have recalled Wayne Parnell and Ryan Mclaren to the side to replace the newly-retired Test veteran Jacques Kallis and Imran Tahir – the spinner falling out of favour.
While de Kock might only be 21, there is no doubting his talents, nor the fact that his aggressive play is important to a cricketing nation regularly relegated to ‘choker’ status for losing big matches they are expected to win. With no major trophies for the number one ranked Test nation, certainly there is an argument for regime change.
The psyche in the team has been damaged by regular fails in big tournaments, and whist their record in international series is a proud and enviable one, the plain and simple fact is that when it comes to the crunch, they have been unable to deliver.
Proteas Castle Lager Test squad: Graeme Smith (Captain), Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis Dean Elgar, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren Morne Morkel Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen , Robbie Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Thami Tsolekile .
Fixtures
12-16 February: 1st Sunfoil Test match, SuperSport Park, Centurion
20-24 February: 2nd Sunfoil Test match, Axxess St. George’s, Port Elizabeth
1-5 March: 3rd Sunfoil Test match, Sahara Park Newlands, Cape Town
9 March: 1st KFC T20 International, Axxess St. George’s, Port Elizabeth (Day)
12 March: 2nd KFC T20 International, Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban (Day/Night)
14 March: 3rd KFC T20 International, SuperSport Park, Centurion (Day/Night)
