by Abhai Sawkar The Proteas clinched an Under-19 World Cup title five years ago, under the leadership of Aiden Markram (back row, second from right). From this team, in addition to opening batsman Markram, fast bowler Kagiso Rabada (back row, fourth from left), and allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo (back row, first from right) are a few of the young faces in the Proteas setup. The talent pool is large, and several players with immense potential have set their sights on representing their country. Over the course of the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England, the Proteas have had ongoing issues with their batting. Despite consistent performances from the stronger links in the likes of skipper Faf du Plessis, wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, and middle-order batsman Rassie van der Dussen, stringing together partnerships as well as forcing the pace have been quite a struggle. Much was expected from the highly rated Aiden Markram, the classy top-order batsman who’s had a roaring start to his international career in the longest format. Markram had risen to fame five years ago, when he led the U19 Proteas to a World Cup title. Considering he’s only crossed 50 just twice in a total of 23 ODI innings, he may find his spot to be in a bit of jeopardy. However, given that he’s one of the relatively younger players and the potential successor to captaincy, it’s expected that he receives more and more game time across all formats, to finally reach the consistency many have awaited. In fact, Markram has been given a leadership opportunity for the Proteas A side in the longer format. Opening batsman Hashim Amla looked quite uncomfortable at the crease during pressure situations for most of the tournament, and at age 36, it evidently seems that he is well and truly past his prime. Amla has been a quality performer over the years, piling up over 9,000 runs in Test cricket and over 8,000 runs in ODIs, but time is quickly running out for the experienced campaigner. On the other hand, Faf du Plessis, at 35, is still in relatively better form and has indicated that he may continue to play for the Proteas until the end of next year’s World T20, at the latest. The wavering middle-order stability of JP Duminy and David Miller has proven to be yet another weak point in the batting lineup. Despite a strong performance in the Australia tour in late 2018, Miller never crossed 50 in any of the remaining ODIs in the home summer against either Pakistan or Sri Lanka. Duminy’s case is not as relatively different, except the fact that he missed the majority of the games earlier this year, and made a comeback in the very last ODI in the series against Sri Lanka. The final group-stage game in the World Cup will be the last ODI for Duminy. Given the impending departure of key batsmen in the not-very-distant future, it’s not too early at all to search for replacements. For starters, it’s likely that Aiden Markram will be opening in the short formats following the retirement of Hashim Amla. But there definitely are more young standout performers from domestic cricket who are vying to earn a chance for a big break, and recently, not many new specialist batsmen have been exposed to the international stage. Well, who are they? Janneman Malan Résumé: Played for the national U19 side in 2014 Topped the run charts in both the provincial 50-over and FC tournament for North West during the 2017-18 season Featured in the inaugural Mzansi Super League (MSL) for the Cape Town Blitz Two T20Is for the Proteas The 23-year-old opening batsman, who is currently based in the Cape Cobras franchise team, gained a reputation for swiftly bolting through the ranks at provincial level. Malan may not have played in a U19 World Cup, but he did have a short stint for the U19 team in 2014, playing a few youth ODI series. His strong returns across formats two years ago for North West earned him a first franchise contract with the Cobras for the following season, as well as a contract in the inaugural Mzansi Super League for the Cape Town Blitz. His first season as a franchise cricketer was definitely a belter, scoring 564 runs in 7 games in the 4-Day Franchise Series and averaging over 50, as well as 435 runs in 11 one-day games at an average of 43.5, with a healthy strike rate above 90. But that wasn’t all: top it off with finishing sixth overall in the Mzansi Super League run charts, with 305 runs in 9 games at an average of 33.88. When captain Faf du Plessis decided to opt out of the T20I series against Pakistan, Malan earned his first national call. His debut innings, 33 from 31 deliveries, was studded with fearless strokeplay. If there’s any doubt about his talent, cricket runs in his blood. His eldest brother, Pieter, who was called in as cover during the home Test series against Pakistan earlier this year, is also a top-order batsman for the Cape Cobras. Another older brother, Andre, is a batting all-rounder who currently plies his trade for Western Province. Janneman is a naturally aggressive customer but can adapt his game based on the situation. He’s known for his elegant cover drives and robust shots square of the wicket. He recently earned a call-up to the Proteas A team for the 50-over leg of the upcoming tour of India in August and September. Playing spin presents a new challenge for Malan, and visiting the subcontinent will be ideal preparation. It’s likely his international career will initially get underway in the shorter formats, which should be a great launch pad to potentially enter the Test arena. Zubayr Hamza Résumé: Solid No. 3 for the Cape Cobras since 2016-17 season - averages a touch above 50 Test debut against Pakistan earlier this year A Capetonian by birth, Zubayr Hamza has been the epitome of perseverance and fast learning over the course of the past three first class seasons. The young batsman played all age-level cricket for his home side, Western Province, and made the grade from provincial to franchise level with the Cape Cobras soon after he turned 21. The initial rise to playing franchise cricket wasn’t a very smooth transition for the young middle-order batsman; he played just four games in his first season for the Cobras and averaged in the low 20’s. Fortunately, the team put faith in the youngsters, and that gradually helped build confidence. The next season was the breakthrough for Hamza: he racked up over 800 runs in 9 games at an average just under 70, which would finally take him a step further to national selection: the A side. His staggering consistency did not waver when the South Africa A team visited India; he averaged over 50 in the 4-day fixtures, and that would finally bring forth a maiden Proteas call-up, for the Test series in Pakistan. He had to wait until the third Test, when Faf du Plessis was suspended for a game due to a poor over rate. Despite scoring 41 and 0 in his first international foray, he did show glimpses of class and skill. Following his debut, he went right back to work in domestic cricket, and churned out more and more runs. His season had a fitting end: a tremendous double-ton against the Dolphins and an overall average of 53 through 8 games. The 24-year-old is in great position to carve out a path in international cricket. He looks up to Hashim Amla, and has a similar technique, too. As of now, he definitely would be a good bet in Test cricket, but he still has plenty more to work on in limited-overs cricket. He did not earn a contract in the MSL, and his one-day returns this season have shown some improvement, but not necessarily outstanding just yet. His one day returns in the recent season looked promising, but he still is behind quite a few better performers in the pecking order. The India tour will present challenges for him, and it remains to be seen how quickly he will acclimatize to relatively unknown conditions. Kyle Verreynne Résumé: Featured in the 2016 U19WC held in Bangladesh Drafted by the Cape Town Blitz in the MSL Another age-level alum from Western Province Unlike the previous two youngsters mentioned, wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne had the honor of representing the Proteas in an Under-19 World Cup, three years ago. Despite being part of a disappointing outing, Verreynne emerged as a handy cricketer, both with the bat and behind the stumps. Verreynne had been a member of the Western Province setup since 2015, and it wasn’t until the 2017-18 first-class season when he earned a franchise deal. Initially starting off as an opener early in his career, he switched his role to a busy, quick-scoring middle-order batsman after joining the Cape Cobras. First-class cricket has yielded consistent returns for the 22-year-old in consecutive seasons: 580 runs, averaging 48.33 in his first season, and 583 runs, averaging 44.84 in the recently completed season. However, it’s noteworthy that he hasn’t converted strong starts into larger scores: his best score for the Cape Cobras is 89. On the other hand, Verreynne has felt very much at home in 50-over cricket, especially in the recent season. He was the highest run-getter for the Cobras, and second-highest overall in the Momentum One Day Cup, scoring 453 runs and averaging over 60. His highlight of the tournament was arresting a top-order slide and stroking a well-composed century to chase down 283 runs against the Knights. Seldom a slogger, Verreynne is a stylish, versatile batsman who is able to score briskly all around the ground; at times he can take on the role as a middle-order floater. On debut in the MSL, Verreynne compiled an attacking, unbeaten 53 from 34 deliveries; he played just a handful of games in the tournament, but has been earmarked as an improving young talent in the making. Given that he’s a wicketkeeper, there will be plenty of competition, and it won’t be easy to either unseat the incumbent, Quinton de Kock, or enter the side as a specialist batsman. He might have missed out on selection for the A team, and the next step will be to capitalize on the positive beginning of his sojourn as a top-level youngster in the forthcoming domestic season. Sinethemba Qeshile Résumé: Earned a franchise contract at age 19 Earned a national call-up for T20Is in March at age 20 Played for SA U19s Out of all the picks in this list, Sinethemba Qeshile, a wicketkeeper-batsman from Eastern Cape, is the youngest of them all. And his success story has been one to savor; he has been highly rated and labeled as a prodigious talent ever since he made it through the age-level system in the Border side. Qeshile may have just missed out on making the Proteas U19 side for last year's World Cup, but that has only inspired the young man to learn faster, improve, and race ahead. After just one season as a provincial cricketer, his home franchise, the Warriors, were quick to recruit him for a full season this year. Known to be an attacking middle-order batsman, Qeshile’s ambitions to finally play international cricket would come to fruition before he could realize. 735 runs in 10 games placed him fifth on the run charts in the 4-day tournament, and a stellar Momentum One Day Cup helped present a strong case as a first-timer. Qeshile’s highlight of the season would definitely have to be the counterattacking century against the Lions at his home ground; an unbeaten 121 from 105 deliveries steered the Warriors past 300, which would be successfully defended. Despite the memorable exploits in first-class and 50-over cricket, the Proteas selectors handed him a maiden international call-up in the shortest format in the series against Sri Lanka, in order to further back his natural game. Unfortunately, he never had a chance to bat in the two games he played, but he did impress with his tidy wicketkeeping. Earlier, he was drafted by the Jozi Stars in the MSL, who would later go on to win; sadly, he would wind up gameless in the MSL, too. Qeshile’s fast-tracking will set the tone for South Africa’s plan to rebuild, following a disastrous World Cup campaign. His immense potential has secured him a spot in the limited-overs Proteas A side for the India tour. His quick scoring tempo could provide a different, more aggressive approach in the longer format, when he receives the opportunity. If backed and mentored well, Qeshile could well and truly become a world-class operator across formats, as well as make the black African community abundantly proud, as a specialist batsman. It’s never too early to take the initiative, and South Africa can believe, without a doubt, that a large talent pool of batsmen, is raring to audition for higher honors. Matthew Breetzke Résumé: CSA U19 Player of the Year in 2018 Took part in the U19WC last year in New Zealand Traveled with the SA Test squad in the home series against Pakistan A graduate of the 2018 U19 World Cup, Matthew Breetzke has been widely recognized as an emerging contender. International cricket may not come anytime soon, but his first impression as a franchise cricketer in the limited-overs tournaments has been quite promising. Known to be an unflappable presence at the top of the order, Breetzke doesn’t mind biding his time early on. At the same time, he has exhibited his ability to change gears depending on circumstances, and demonstration of big-match temperament. A rock-solid innings of 115 against New Zealand in last year's U19 World Cup is one to remember for the determined young man from Eastern Cape. Following a fifth-place finish for his side, Breetzke would later earn a contract with the Warriors, and an encouraging season in the shorter formats would ensue. In addition, he would be called up to the Test squad in the series against Pakistan, but as a non-playing touring member, to gain experience and share the dressing room with some of the more seasoned players for South Africa. At the time, the selectors made up their mind on labeling several youngsters as candidates to be future Proteas. He’s now been chosen for the youthful A side. Could this be a harbinger for a bright future for Breetzke? Time will tell. Keegan Petersen Résumé: Highest run-getter in the 2018-19 4-day tournament Plenty of experience: played for two franchise teams A steadfast top-order batsman originally hailing from Paarl, Keegan Petersen started off at his home franchise, the Cobras. His Cobras contract followed a record display at provincial level for Boland, where he scored the most runs in the 2013-14 season. However, Petersen received very limited opportunities over the course of the next two seasons, from late 2014 to early 2016, and it seemed that he was gradually falling off the radar in domestic cricket. He finalized a move to the Knights, the franchise team representing Free State, in order to revitalize his career. A mediocre first season for the Knights had left him frustrated, but this has only motivated him to toil harder to make a name for himself. The two recent domestic seasons have underlined the hard yards the 25-year-old has put in; 497 at an average of 41.41 in 2017-18, and a whopping 923 runs at an average of 61.53 most recently. Despite earning the plaudits this year, Petersen’s efforts have seemingly gone unnoticed at the moment, given that he is not in the A squad for the four-day games against India A later this year. However, there will be more international assignments for the players who are on the fringes, and given his mentality, he will not back down easily. Parting Thoughts?
The past troubles can be a great motivating factor for what’s in store for the future. Ever since the retirement of AB de Villiers, the Proteas have had to depend on their bowlers to a great extent to win games. On quite a few occasions, namely in the World Cup, South Africa haven’t put up enough runs on the board to defend, even though the bowlers have, at times, provided stiff competition during the opponents’ innings. There is no scarcity in batting talent. Aside from the six frontrunners mentioned and discussed, there still are many other bolters, both young and experienced, that are yearning to accomplish more and more. The experimentation with new batsmen had reached a temporary pause as the World Cup was nearing, but now that the Proteas’ World Cup journey is reaching its end, there is plenty of time to draft, prepare, and execute a new plan in order to succeed in all formats. South Africa have gained a reputation for resilience and tenacity over the years; there’s nothing to lose, and everything to gain. The future is lekker!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
December 2022
Categories |