Dean Elgar’s ODI call-up has blocked the opportunity for new talent to be discovered, writes KHALID MOHIDIN. 

Cricket South Africa’s announcement that Elgar would replace the injured Hashim Amla for the ODI series against Zimbabwe came as a surprise to some. To others, Elgar’s call-up is long overdue.

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The 31-year-old last yanked on the green and gold in 2015 but has since then been overlooked in the shorter formats. Elgar’s well-known gritty style of batting that he displays in the longest format seems out of place in the 50-over game and, with the likes of Quinton de Kock and Amla occupying the opening positions, I don’t see any other slot that complements Elgar’s dogged approach to the game.

The onus has always been on the Proteas building a World Cup squad and Elgar’s selection only comes after injuries to Amla, Faf du Plessis and the resting of David Miller but why have the Proteas picked a batsman who has clearly been out of their World Cup plans?

South Africans have not shied away from bragging about the domestic talent available, with Amla’s omission providing an opportunity for coach Ottis Gibson and selectors to unearth further new talent ready to step onto the international stage.

Pieter Malan is one of those names. The Cobras batsman has proved his worth in the one-day competition and, at 29, is currently hitting the latter stage of his career, but he has the attacking qualities that will suit the Proteas’ self-proclaimed new attacking style of cricket.

Not to mention some domestic bangers at their peak who had incredible one-day cup seasons: Gihahn Cloete, Rassie van der Dussen, Sarel Erwee and Rudi Second. They could even play an even more risky card and name 19-year-old opener Matthew Breetzke in the squad, a player who is already travelling with the Proteas side in order to pick up experience. Janneman Malan is another hot prospect who could benefit from game time against Zimbabwe. In fact, even Temba Bavuma crossed my mind before Elgar, based on previous selection decisions.

According to stats, Elgar’s appointment does carry some merit: in 144 List A matches he averages 42.65 at a reasonable strike rate of 79.57, which is not a bad return in 50-over cricket. He proved his worth in the Royal One Day Cup in England by scoring three consecutive half-centuries for Sussex, which also displayed his ability to adapt to England conditions in limited-overs cricket. That knowledge would, of course, do the team a world of good as the World Cup takes place in England from May to June 2019.

However, other than as a mentor and advisor, how will Elgar aid the team during this series against Zimbabwe? There are no valid reasons not to pick a younger player in the side who can soak up the national team’s ethos and culture to give them confidence heading into the domestic season. Lack of experience should not hassle the Proteas heading into this series, as most fans will see a 3-0 whitewash as inevitable (with all due respect to Zimbabwe).

Based on the unavailability of De Kock, Du Plessis, Amla and Miller, team selection does become something of a head-scratcher. Elgar doesn’t seem to make the team regardless, so this blocks a potential starter.

Based on where players have played for their franchises, I believe the lineup to play Zimbabwe should be as follows:

1) Aiden Markram
2) Reeza Hendricks
3) Khaya Zondo
4) JP Duminy
5) Heinrich Klaasen
6) Christiaan Jonker
7) Andile Phehlukwayo
8) Dale Steyn
9) Kagiso Rabada
10) Lungi Ngidi
11) Imran Tahir

The team that could have been if Elgar was not in the squad:
1) Aiden Markram
2) Pieter Malan/Rudi Second/Matthew Breetzke
3) Reeza Hendricks
4) JP Duminy
5) Khaya Zondo
6) Heinrich Klaasen
7) Andile Phehlukwayo
8) Dale Steyn
9) Kagiso Rabada
10) Lungi Ngidi
11) Imran Tahir

Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images