The ‘B’ word baffles as Proteas look to the future
Aiden Markram’s declaration that the Proteas want to play a certain ‘brand’ of cricket is concerning because the team has a history of wanting to be something it cannot, writes RYAN VREDE.
Time for Mthethwa to take drastic action
The short-term pain of an international ban may be worth it, if it means fixing the deeply dysfunctional leadership in Cricket South Africa, writes RYAN VREDE.
The game dies while CSA fights
As Cricket South Africa lurches from one crisis to the next, there are no winners. There is only the potential for cricket to be irreparably harmed, writes RYAN VREDE.
Cricket must heed Kohli’s call
Virat Kohli highlighted one of cricket’s greatest threats when he called for players to be consulted on scheduling during the pandemic. Bubble life has the potential to break cricketers and end careers, writes RYAN VREDE.
The black African batting crisis shows no signs of ending
The four-day season is almost done, and one of South African cricket’s great deficiencies persists: there are just no black African batsmen pressing for Test honours, laments RYAN VREDE.
UAE duo’s ban reminder that corruption lives on
Match-fixing had disappeared from cricket’s consciousness until a UAE duo were pinned for it this week. It’s a reminder that this scourge continues to be one of the game’s greatest threats.
Moaning is not a cricket argument
In the wake of the two-day Test pitch in Ahmedabad being deemed ‘average’ by the International Cricket Council, one has to examine why England and their friends in the media can’t let go of a game and a series in which they simply failed to match India.
Vaughan’s Archer questions show just how out of touch he is
Michael Vaughan questioning Jofra Archer’s appetite for Test cricket is reflective of how many from the former England captain’s generation lack insight into the mentality of game’s younger generations.
Expanded domestic structure puts spotlight on SA’s elite coaching
RYAN VREDE asks: If one of the objectives of a 15-team domestic structure is broadening the potential to build international-quality players, where are the elite coaches who contribute significantly to growing that calibre of player going to come from?
Verreynne must lead a bold new Proteas future
Kyle Verreynne can no longer be denied a Proteas Test spot, and there needs to be a broader, bold selection philosophy that rewards domestic form in order to arrest the team’s batting mediocrity.
Just how good is George Linde?
SA Cricket magazine editor RYAN VREDE wonders out loud about whether George Linde knows he has the same base-talent level as some of South Africa’s great all-rounders.
Maharaj’s Proteas T20 case must be heard
There seems to be no clear cricket reason for the continued omission of Keshav Maharaj from the Proteas T20I set-up, writes SA Cricket magazine editor RYAN VREDE.
Is there value in newly minted Morris?
Does the world’s most expensive T20 player, Chris Morris, have a Proteas future? SA Cricket magazine editor RYAN VREDE scrutinises his case.
Who’s next in wake of Du Plessis’ retirement?
Faf du Plessis’ retirement from Test cricket leaves a gaping hole in an already fragile batting lineup. SA Cricket magazine editor RYAN VREDE looks at potential replacements.
Ashwin’s success highlights Proteas’ deficiency
Ravi Ashwin’s century in Chennai was a joy to watch, but leaves one wondering how the Proteas still haven’t found an Ashwin of their own. In Kagiso Rabada, they have one with the potential to be just that, writes SA Cricket magazine editor RYAN VREDE.
