Johannesburg - Convener of the national selection panel, Andrew Hudson
has named Ryan McLaren and Wayne Parnell as the leading candidates to
fill the void left by legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis following his
retirement from Test cricket.
Speaking to the Cape Times, Hudson said the Proteas have been forced to abandon the "seven batsmen strategy" that the Proteas have had the luxury of in recent times, due to the retirement of Kallis.
The Proteas will instead opt to play six batsmen and a bowling all-rounder who will operate as the fourth seamer, Hudson said.
Hudson said the Proteas lacked batting all-rounder options, and certainly did not have players of the same caliber as Kallis.
Hudson named McLaren and Parnell as the leading contenders to replace Kallis.
Proteas wicketkeeper Mark Boucher last week said he would pick McLaren for the South African Test team in place of his good friend and former team-mate Kallis following the 38-year old's retirement from Test and first class cricket.
McLaren, 30, has only played one Test for the Proteas, but Hudson said he was confident that the Knights player wouldn't let the team down.
Parnell will also probably be in the Test squad named to face Australia to add an X-factor for the team, but is likely to be considered as the long-term option to replace Kallis, rather than the immediate replacement.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Who would you like to see replace the retired Jacques Kallis in Test cricket for the Proteas' upcoming series against Australia? Send your thoughts to Sport24 or login to Sport24's forum and join the debate!
Speaking to the Cape Times, Hudson said the Proteas have been forced to abandon the "seven batsmen strategy" that the Proteas have had the luxury of in recent times, due to the retirement of Kallis.
The Proteas will instead opt to play six batsmen and a bowling all-rounder who will operate as the fourth seamer, Hudson said.
Hudson said the Proteas lacked batting all-rounder options, and certainly did not have players of the same caliber as Kallis.
Hudson named McLaren and Parnell as the leading contenders to replace Kallis.
Proteas wicketkeeper Mark Boucher last week said he would pick McLaren for the South African Test team in place of his good friend and former team-mate Kallis following the 38-year old's retirement from Test and first class cricket.
McLaren, 30, has only played one Test for the Proteas, but Hudson said he was confident that the Knights player wouldn't let the team down.
Parnell will also probably be in the Test squad named to face Australia to add an X-factor for the team, but is likely to be considered as the long-term option to replace Kallis, rather than the immediate replacement.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Who would you like to see replace the retired Jacques Kallis in Test cricket for the Proteas' upcoming series against Australia? Send your thoughts to Sport24 or login to Sport24's forum and join the debate!