Proteas: Five things we’ve learned

There was lots to like about the Proteas’ bowling performance in the West Indies series, but plenty to be concerned about batting-wise, particularly an impotent middle order, writes RYAN VREDE.

Can Proteas remedy batting struggles before the World Cup?

The gulf between the potency and contributions of the Proteas bowlers and batsmen is widening by the game. With eight matches to go before the T20 World Cup, they urgently need to solve their skills, application and balance problems, writes RYAN VREDE.

Proteas’ T20 skills deficiencies killing World Cup prospects

It was a weekend of worry and a little hope but the overwhelming sense is that, with just nine T20I matches to go before the World Cup, the Proteas are in trouble, writes RYAN VREDE.

All hail, New Zealand, the kings of Test cricket

New Zealand are the most fitting victors of the inaugural World Test Championship. This team will be remembered as one of great Test-cricket teams, writes RYAN VREDE.

Clock ticking on the Proteas’ T20 World challenge

The Proteas have 11 matches to arrest their horrific T20 form and prepare their challenge for the T20 World Cup, writes RYAN VREDE. 

Signs of life as Proteas batters fight back

A gutsy partnership in St Lucia suggests a fighting spirit is brewing, but the Proteas’ batting inconsistency remains the biggest threat to their ascension in the Test rankings, writes RYAN VREDE.

Lessons for Proteas in New Zealand’s rise

New Zealand could be the Test world champions by Tuesday. They’ve completely transformed their cricket culture to get to this point. There are lessons for the Proteas in their rise, writes RYAN VREDE.

Is a one-off World Test Championship match all that bad?

It feels fitting that in a format which rewards exceptionally high levels of temperament and talent, a one-off Test decides the champions of the world, writes RYAN VREDE.

Proteas awaken from two-year slumber but is it sustainable?

The Proteas produced their most complete Test performance under Mark Boucher, addressing some major concerns in the process. What happens next is as important as what happened in St.Lucia, writes RYAN VREDE.

A throwback to a glorious past as Proteas seamers shine

The Proteas’ seamers produced a performance that was reminiscent of the high standard the country’s best attacks have set. It stirred hope of a future that will feel familiar, writes RYAN VREDE.

The world watches as the ECB tackles Robinson’s racism

The ECB made the correct decision to suspend Ollie Robinson for racist, sexist and Islamophobic tweets. What they decide to do next is critical because it sets a precedent for others to follow, writes RYAN VREDE.

The Conway inquisition must end

South Africans seeking to turn Devon Conway’s loss to New Zealand into a race issue fail to acknowledge what is self-evident – his gift just bloomed later than most and in an environment which facilitated that. Let’s celebrate a wonderful talent, not wrongly denigrate a system, writes RYAN VREDE.

Immaturity is no excuse for prejudice

England debutant Ollie Robinson faces an uncertain international future after racist, sexist and Islamophobic tweets were uncovered. Those excusing it as ‘immaturity’ don’t understand the impact this has on the targets and cricket. It’s time to stop the excuses and severely punish offenders, writes RYAN VREDE.

Elgar-Markram partnership is broken and needs fixing

Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram go into a two-Test series against the Windies needing to rehabilitate an opening partnership that is rich in potential but lacks in consistency of delivery, writes RYAN VREDE.

Prince’s Verreynne appraisal must excite Proteas fans

Ashwell Prince offered insight into Kyle Verreynne’s mental constitution that reinforced the sense that the kid is special and has to be a three-format player for the Proteas, writes RYAN VREDE.