Arthur Turner

The Proteas face the prospect of a whitewash in the Test series at Newlands later this week. It was definitely not meant to be like this.

Let’s start by giving Australia credit for regrouping so well in a short period; they look a different team to the one in Australia. Their selectors have injected some exciting new talent into the team in Phil Hughes and Marcus North while Brad Haddin has developed into a quality international batsman/wicketkeeper.

Their fast bowlers have improved and they now have a well balanced attack that includes pace and swing. Australia also have good depth in their fast bowling department with the imminent return of Brett Lee and Stuart Clark.

The one area that they continue to struggle is to find a spin bowler of international quality. However, they are no different to most Test playing nations.
 
South Africa on the other hand have developed into a good team, but not a good international squad. Now that certain players have retired, been injured or lost form, there are no experienced players to replace them. The Proteas reserve strength has been badly exposed.

The Indian Cricket League and Kolpak ruling have decimated South African cricket of its depth of experienced players. South Africa is now feeling the loss of players like HD Ackerman, Dale Benkenstein and Jacques Rudolph on the batting front. They have been forced to pick an uncapped player in Imraan Kahn and the country’s best middle order batsman, Ashwell Prince, to open the batting at Newlands.

Almost impossible at Newlands

On the bowling front the cupboard is even bearer with regards to experienced bowlers and the selectors have been forced to bring the 19-year-old Wayne Parnell into the squad. However, they will probably replace Morne Morkel with his brother Albie to improve the balance of the team. If 20 wickets have been hard to get in the first two Tests for South Africa then it may be almost impossible at Newlands.

The selectors would have picked Charl Langeveldt for Newlands, but he is in cricket exile with Derbyshire. Andre Nel is another experienced bowler that has been prematurely discarded for whatever reason.

Luckily for Cricket South Africa the Kolpak situation will in the future not continue to create problems for them. The work permit qualifications have become more stringent and players need to have played international cricket to qualify as Kolpak players.

The ICL seems to be on its last legs and will also no longer be a threat to CSA. These two developments will make it easier for the country to retain its experienced players in the years ahead.

CSA also needs to abolish the quota system at franchise level like rugby has as soon as possible to ensure the development of their future players. They need to avoid the situation where a South African 'A' opening batsman like Blake Snijman cannot play for his franchise because of the quota system.

CSA needs to develop all its resources on an equitable basis to build a quality and experienced squad for the Proteas to remain a leading team in international cricket.

Arthur is a former cricket administrator and current player agent.

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