Middle order conundrum for selectors
VICTOR Mpitsang and his panel of national selectors have a tricky task to find the right combination for the Proteas’ middle order ahead of the first Test against England.
Temba Bavuma’s absence through injury leaves a bigger hole than many imagine, and while the candidates for the No 4 and 5 spots all performed reasonably well in a tour match last week, none of them demanded inclusion.
Khaya Zondo made 86 in the first innings against the England Lions, Rassie van der Dussen 75, while Aiden Markram scored 88 not out in the second innings.
Ryan Rickelton, who’s been in hot form for Northamptonshire, made a first- ball duck and spent an hour at the crease in the second innings to score 15.
The Proteas need solidity in that middle order, which is something Bavuma has been crucial in providing in the last two years. Over that period, the Test vice- captain has averaged 47.93.
While Van der Dussen’s form in his last five Tests hasn’t been stellar, it would be highly unlikely that Mpitsang’s panel – which includes head coach Mark Boucher – will omit him from the starting XI on Wednesday.
The 33- year- old averaged 23.77 in those five matches and his highest score of 45 came in the last Test against New Zealand in February.
It’s not that Van der Dussen isn’t aware of his limited output with the bat.
“I’ve played 15 Tests and I don’t have a hundred,” he said in an interview with Independent Media before the tour.
“I don’t think you can consider yourself a good Test batter if you don’t score hundreds. That is something that obviously I need to convert. ( Useful) contributions don’t really cut it any more, I need to put in match- winning performances. When you start ( your career) you can feel your way into it, but I’m at a stage now where I need to perform.”
Zondo’s innings in Canterbury last week was timely, and came on the back of a couple of good domestic seasons for the KZN Dolphins. Zondo was the second highest run- scorer for the Dolphins, but it’s worth noting that 203 of his 368 runs last summer came in one innings.
The season before last, he averaged 38.83, with two centuries.
The selectors will have to weigh that innings and two good domestic seasons against Rickelton’s last two years for the Lions, and his recent run of form for Northamptonshire – he scored 539 runs in eight innings with two centuries.
Skipper Dean Elgar spoke strongly in favour of the 26- yearold left- hander.
Markram made a big impact with the ball in Canterbury, taking 6/ 91, but it’s with the bat that he’s struggled at Test level in recent years. His last Test ton was against Pakistan in February 2021 and his last Test 50 came against the West Indies four months later.
He’s averaged just 12.75 since. Markram, who has played predominantly as an opener but had a stint at No 3 in New Zealand when Keegan Petersen missed that tour, batted at No 4 in both innings against the Lions, and said his preparation before Wednesday would be based on playing in the middle order.
It is an intriguing position for the selectors because of the options available; it’s just that there’s not a dominant case for one over the other.
A Rickelton- Zondo combination at four and five, however, seems unlikely given their inexperience.
Then there’s also the targets the team need to achieve in order to comply with Cricket SA’S mandate that demands at least three Black African players are in the starting XI.
With doubts about pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada’s fitness, it is an extra element the selectors need to factor in to their discussions.