Third Test. SA v England. Jo'burg, Jan 14-18

[Dr Cricket]

Ab de villiers is the captain for the rest of the series, must be an interim position, can't see him doing it for long if he doesn't have the team he want in the field.

[mikesiva]

Ab de villiers is the captain for the rest of the series, must be an interim position, can't see him doing it for long if he doesn't have the team he want in the field.

that would be very selfish if true. A lot of captains have to work with the team they are given.

that amla resignation might just be a smart move. That should end all that speculation about a de Villiers retirement.

[Dr Cricket]

Ab de villiers is the captain for the rest of the series, must be an interim position, can't see him doing it for long if he doesn't have the team he want in the field.

that would be very selfish if true. A lot of captains have to work with the team they are given.

that amla resignation might just be a smart move. That should end all that speculation about a de Villiers retirement.

if you want a successful team, the captain has to be happy with their team, Also doesn't end the retirement stories either.
I believe all the players agreed to play till may after that they be having a discussion on the contracts/issues and if they won't be solved their be making new plans.

Can't see De villiers leaving yet but can see the other lesser players going if they don't get what their want.
Philander will be the interesting one since SA need him badly if they are to have 4 quota picks and still have a quality team.
Bavuma made the job of the selectors easier now.
Amla, Bavuma, Philander are guaranteed picks.
between piedt, Rabada, Duminy for the last spot.

If philander does leave because of Quota issues no one can actually defend it, since the player it is meant to help is leaving the game because of it.
Even if they are to have quota system their really need to be flexible, it was clear because of Philander injury and poor form in the batting that it was impossible to pick a team for the durban test and be happy with it.

Bavuma looking quality now does help now so their shouldn't be too much of an issue in the selection front, what ever team SA go with will have 4 coloured picks since bavuma, rabada, Amla and piedt are shoe in right now.
but if they don't want to play a spinner their should be able to drop him and play a white man in certain pitches.
That is what Smith, De villiers and any captain won't like is when political interferences affect the cricket match and the team ability to win the game.

it was obvious in Durban/ India that their were never able to pick the best team and still have 4 quota picks that where the issue and disharmony comes from, it was obvious that Amla couldn't take it any more and resigned.

[braveneutral]

It depends upon what influence and importance the role of captain has in cricket.

[Dr Cricket]

No captain would ever agree to lead a side if he not happy with about 4-5 players in the team, it is fine if only one player is questionable.
for example in durban.
Van Zyl, Du plesis, Bavuma, Keeper, Duminy, Injuries to Steyn.

Although the quota system did work in this instance don't think bavuma would have played this match without it.
anyway with bavuma success, the captain should have a team he's happy with at most times.
if bavuma did fail in this match, SA would be a mess for the next match since they don't have enough coloured players pushing for a spot in the team.

[Gingerfinch]

You'd have to be nuts to drop Amla from that team. They only have two world class batsmen, and he's one of them.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Big Vern is out the series. Superhuman Steyn is 50-50 for the third Test.

[backfootpunch]

if steyn is going to retire after the series you would think he would want to play

[Dr Cricket]

Surprised SA didn't add cook in the squad, with Bavuma getting runs it is quite easy to replace Van Zyl if he doesn't score runs in the next match.
right now their opening position looks quite weak.

[mikesiva]

AB de Villiers (capt), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl, Hardus Viljoen

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-afric ... 59477.html

The likely Xi for the match....

1) van Zyl
2) Elgar
3) Amla
4) de Villiers
5) du Plessis
6) Bavuma
7) de Kock
8) Rabada
9) Piedt
10-11) Two of Morkel, Abbott or Morris

Not necessarily in that order, of course...Morkel has been disappointing, in the absence of Steyn and Philander. In the last Test, he took 2-140, while Rabada took four wickets.

I will be surprised if Steyn is fit enough to play.

[Dr Cricket]

interesting comments from the selector.
http://www.sacricketmag.com/zondi-cook-forgotten/
In terms of selection for the third Test, Zondi admitted there was a temptation to play four seamers, but that depended on the input of the new captain, AB de Villiers, and the track record of the Wanderers over the last few years. - See more at: http://www.sacricketmag.com/zondi-cook- ... z5h5M.dpuf
no idea how their can play 4 seam bowlers and still have 4 coloured picks without dropping a white batsman for duminy, the other way is to drop Kock and give villiers the glove and that is not gonna happen unless he really does want 4 seam options in the team. if that does happen would be very harsh on Kock.

[greyblazer]

RSA should look at Stephen Cook or even Andrew Puttick to open the batting with Dean Elgar. Stiaan van Zyl's experiment is not working.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Botham says Stokes is better than he was at 24, like Botham was player who developed with experience. That's not my recollection at all. Botham arrived intact as a fine player, and his peak was 21-24. Arguably he was past his best in 81, ridiculous as that seems. Stokes to date is in the side on the understanding that his peak is some time ahead. Hopefully he'll avoid the weight gain and back injury that hampered Botham. Botham probably worked hard to be the player he was on debut. But he takes delight in telling us he didn't work on his game at his peak, and other interests ran counter to his excellence as a sportsman. Other players back this up. It's a strange view from ITB, which seems to suggest a lack of realistic insight into his career, or even the trend of his career stats.

[greyblazer]

Botham was a great player at his peak, but as a commentator/analyst he does not make much sense

[Aidan11]

Botham was 26 when he had that great series in 81. So expect better fireworks from Ben in two summers time.