Making_Splinters wrote:South Africa are really struggling to deal with the loss of Kallis and Smith, then again I suppose any side would find it tough to replace the greatest all rounder of the modern game and one of the best opening bats. Kallis is the bigger issue as they've been battling with their team balance ever since he left, what ever happened to the production line of South African all rounders? AB being injured makes matters worse.
I've never understood why Kuhn hasn't had a go in the Test side.
They have a couple of young lads in the pipe line. One kid is Leus de Ploy who has done well in an Emerging Cricketers Squad series of late. Another nailed on youngsters who will make his debut within the next 18 months is a guy called Jason Smith. He is a real danger in all forms of the game.
I know this is an odd thing to say on the first day of the first Test v South Africa, but I am really looking forward to the series against India.
New Zealand's bowlers do well against right handed batsmen and that is all India have at the moment but to counteract that Ashwin does very well against lefties and Nicholls (over rated), Latham (stil untested) and Santner (not established batsman) are all southpaws.
"It has been said of the unseen army of the dead, on their everlasting march, that when they are passing a rural cricket ground the Englishman falls out of the ranks for a moment to look over the gate and smile."