The core problems with the Proteas is being attached to (1) past “one match or one tournament wonders” legacy, (2) having ineffective players and less impactful players in the team and finally (3) Leader not leading by example.
Legacy
These are players that are picked on what they have done in the past but consistently being inconsistent in the present, this includes JP Duminy, has been in the squad for atleast 6 years and he has hardly won a game for the Proteas, let’s rather say hasn’t won games that matter. Another one is Petersen, he did well in the World Cup and he now half play as a spinner and half play as a batsman, neither good a bowler (hardly takes wickets but goes for runs, batting he give you a 30 runs maximum) but we persist with him yet he is approaching his mid 30’s. We are stuck to players because of what is termed “one match” wonder;
JP Duminy won us one test in Australia and we still make noise about that, while he hasn’t done anything spectacular, Faf won saved one test and won u a test, resulting in Australia, and he was praised as being the best, beyond that he has been a flop. Robin Peterson is another one tournament wonder, that was good in the world cup. In all three of these players there is no consistency and it’s about the past all the time.
In-effective players
There are players that shouldn’t be in the team as they are just a waste of time, this includes Berhaardien, Alviro Petersen and also Kleinveldt, they need to get a very healthy competition in the Proteas, this includes injecting some solid new blood and provide them opportunity like bowlers Gqamane (Warriors) and Viljoen and (Lions), in the batting include Q. De Kock, Rilee Rossouw and Elgar (Knight), S van Zyl (Cobras), they will not be worse compared to what we see in the Proteas 50 over team, which is just plain shocking and annoying.
Lastly, AB De Villiers has been poor since becoming a captain and wicketkeeper, in my opinion he must relinquish both and concentrate on his batting, De Kock must take over as wicket keeper, he is a genuine opener and he is young enough to persist till he get the hang of international cricket. He can learn from Sangakkara that you can be world class if you drop one discipline and focus on your strengths, there can only be one Gilchrist.
Legacy
These are players that are picked on what they have done in the past but consistently being inconsistent in the present, this includes JP Duminy, has been in the squad for atleast 6 years and he has hardly won a game for the Proteas, let’s rather say hasn’t won games that matter. Another one is Petersen, he did well in the World Cup and he now half play as a spinner and half play as a batsman, neither good a bowler (hardly takes wickets but goes for runs, batting he give you a 30 runs maximum) but we persist with him yet he is approaching his mid 30’s. We are stuck to players because of what is termed “one match” wonder;
JP Duminy won us one test in Australia and we still make noise about that, while he hasn’t done anything spectacular, Faf won saved one test and won u a test, resulting in Australia, and he was praised as being the best, beyond that he has been a flop. Robin Peterson is another one tournament wonder, that was good in the world cup. In all three of these players there is no consistency and it’s about the past all the time.
In-effective players
There are players that shouldn’t be in the team as they are just a waste of time, this includes Berhaardien, Alviro Petersen and also Kleinveldt, they need to get a very healthy competition in the Proteas, this includes injecting some solid new blood and provide them opportunity like bowlers Gqamane (Warriors) and Viljoen and (Lions), in the batting include Q. De Kock, Rilee Rossouw and Elgar (Knight), S van Zyl (Cobras), they will not be worse compared to what we see in the Proteas 50 over team, which is just plain shocking and annoying.
Lastly, AB De Villiers has been poor since becoming a captain and wicketkeeper, in my opinion he must relinquish both and concentrate on his batting, De Kock must take over as wicket keeper, he is a genuine opener and he is young enough to persist till he get the hang of international cricket. He can learn from Sangakkara that you can be world class if you drop one discipline and focus on your strengths, there can only be one Gilchrist.