Faul: Competitive Proteas a must

Cricket South Africa acting chief executive officer Jacques Faul has hailed former Proteas captain Graeme Smith’s appointment, in principle, as director of cricket as ‘some form of progress’.

Moroe does not rhyme with Chernobyl

Former chief executive officer Haroon Lorgat’s comparison of Cricket South Africa’s recent problems to the Chernobyl disaster is awful, but has typified all the associated and unnecessary racket.

More to it than Miller’s mental state

David Miller’s recent remarks are a timely reminder that South African cricket is not exempt from mental health struggles.

Markram and Cook – same but different

Criticism of Aiden Markram is premature. He is still the right man to open South Africa’s batting order alongside Dean Elgar in Test cricket. The Proteas don’t really have an alternative during the ongoing series against India, unless Theunis de Bruyn or Temba Bavuma are elevated to the top of the order. De Bruyn opened the batting, unsuccessfully, on Test… Read more →

Narrow-minded Nortje’s damaging debut

Anrich Nortje’s performance on day one of this week’s second Test in Pune is, unfortunately, indicative of the Proteas’ muddled thinking and game plans in India.

The making of Muthusamy

Positional and personnel preferences have been a predictable theme ahead of this week’s second Test in Pune. Senuran Muthusamy, however, has risen above the obvious.

Stokes backs Kirsten amid England talk

All-rounder Ben Stokes has heralded former Proteas coach Gary Kirsten’s credentials, as England seek a successor for the outgoing Trevor Bayliss.

South Africa A draw decider, lose series

A century by Priyank Panchal ensured there was no surprises on the final day of the second four-day Test between South Africa A and India A.

India name squad for SA Tests

The uncapped Shubman Gill has been named in India’ squad for next month’s three Tests against the Proteas.

MSL right as other leagues go wrong

The underwhelming international marquee players added to the Mzansi Super League – and postponement of the Euro T20 Slam – are more awkward indications of an overloaded Twenty20 cricket calendar.

Rassie benefits from Proteas’ problems

Cricket South Africa performed excellent public relations work this week. The timing of Rassie van der Dussen’s addition to the national contract list has encouraged a nation reeling from the Test retirement of Dale Steyn and Hashim Amla’s decision to quit all forms of the international game.

CSA’s restructure rules out pretenders

Corrie van Zyl’s statement that Ottis Gibson’s successor will be employed as ‘a combination of the old team manager and head coach’ has ruled several pretenders out of contention.

CSA awards – Faf for the win

Faf du Plessis will likely be named Men’s Cricketer of the Year at Saturday’s Cricket South Africa annual awards. Fellow nominees Quinton de Kock, Imran Tahir and Kagiso Rabada didn’t do enough to truly justify claiming the award ahead of the Proteas captain.

Maketa must succeed Gibson

Unless an outrageously obvious candidate emerges, Malibongwe Maketa must succeed Ottis Gibson.

Leach wins one for cricket’s nerds

The stars aligned for Jack Leach on Thursday. He wasn’t meant to stick around for as long as he did.