Marius
International Debutant
I know...
Bavuma at four is OK though I think. Quinny and Vern might both be a spot too high though.
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*Official* South Africa Tour of Sri Lanka 2018
- Thread starter StephenZA
- Start date
Bavuma at four is OK though I think. Quinny and Vern might both be a spot too high though.
garylyon
School Boy/Girl Captain
Going with Philander and two spinners would be idiotic imo. I can't imagine the former doing a lot in SL because his brand of bowling relies heavily on helpful conditions. I'd much rather play an extra bat like de Bruyne or even someone like Duminy (or has he retired?)
Marius
International Debutant
Duminy has retired from Tests.
And after giving it some thought I think you're right - play to your strengths and ours are our fast bowlers. Play Maharaj and we should be fine (unless we play on a real dust bowl).
Dendarii
International Debutant
Although it's a small sample size, Bavuma averages more at four and five than he does at six, so I don't think there's a problem pushing him up the order. And De Kock and Philander average the most at seven and eight respectively. So the best lineup would be seven batsmen and four bowlers, with part-time spin from Elgar and Markram if absolutely necessary.
StephenZA
Hall of Fame Member
I think the pitch will dictate... if it is very dry and and looks like it will spin sideways day one, we will need the extra bat (de Bruyn encumbent, but not to sure about him vs spin at the moment?). Markram and Elgar can be the 2nd/3rd spinner or else I can see Steyn not playing. (Philander will play). If it looks flat I think 6 batsmen is fine with Philander at 7; and we should play von Berg.
marc71178
Eyes not spreadsheets
No might about it IMO.
Bahseph
State Captain
Vern is a very good number 8. One of the best around imo. But he should never be asked to bat 7 away from home. As for QDK, he has the talent to bat anywhere as far as I'm concerned, but for whatever reason he hasn't shown that he can bat above 7. So that's where he stays. I know StephenZA wants to see Von Berg. But we both know it's probably going to be Shamsi if we play two spinners. Don't think we should though. Maharaj, Vern, Rabada and Steyn for me. Guess de Bruyn gets the number 6 ahead of Klaasen.
YorksLanka
International Debutant
gutted that I will be arriving in SL this year just after the series finishes..was hoping to get to a couple of the ODI's..
Dendarii
International Debutant
Without checking the matches where we batted at six seven, I wonder how many of them came at a time when the top order wasn't doing as well as they should have done. So perhaps he hasn't had as much freedom to play his natural game when he's gone up the order.
But there isn't really any point in playing him at six if there's no one to bat at seven. Philander's not good enough to bat there, so until someone else comes along (Mulder the most likely candidate), De Kock needs to stay at seven.
I would go with De Bruyn for now as I think he deserves at extended run in the side rather than being in and out the way he has been so far. But he does need to start producing the runs, as if he doesn't improve on his record so far then we're actually no better off than if we had De Kock at six and Philander and seven.
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Migara
Cricketer Of The Year
THey should identify the same with Dilruwan Perera. Don't allow him to bat above 8.
Bahseph
State Captain
Agree with you there. Mathews not being able to bowl much over the last two years has really forced them to change their team composition though. Can't bowl Lakmal into the ground if Herath isn't on form.
Maximas
Cricketer Of The Year
With Dhananjaya de Silva able to contribute some overs SL should be in a position to field 2 seamers for most matches anyway. When Dilruwan batted at 7, the tail basically started there, and what follows Dilruwan is usually pretty dire, SL has the weakest tail of the non-minnows.
Migara
Cricketer Of The Year
If Sri Lanka fields two spinners, and with DdS and Dhanushka Gunathilaka, there is enough spin options as change up. If Herath is not in form, probably Dilruwan and Dhananjaya should make the XI, despite both being off spinners. Lakshan Sandakan could make the XI as well. I am not sold on Malinda Pushpakumara is good enough against top quality batsmen. Dhananaya and Sandakan have plenty of mystery around them as well. Once there are four spinners, over bowling of seamers should not even be discussed.
My Xi would be;
Dhanushka Gunathilaka (6), Dimuth Karunarathne (7), Dhananaya de Silva(5), Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal / Roshen Silva, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dikwella, Dilruwan Perera (4), Herath / Sandakan (3), Suranga Lakmal (1), Kasun Rajitha (2),
Will give Lahiru Kumara a break. May be play him on more pace friendly Pallekele, not on Galle dustbowl, and break him. Bowling options within paranthesis. DK is a medium pacer.
Migara
Cricketer Of The Year
Herath and Chandimal are the first two names needed in the sheet, agree with that. Food for thought on captaincy. Lakmal can continue for this series.
Migara
Cricketer Of The Year
Only Danushka Gunathilaka took to him. Others were very respectful.Steyn's being slapped around by a pretty strong Board XI
OverratedSanity
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Want to see Mathews do well this series. Bloke has swollen up like an idli over the last few years and his batting has fallen apart. He's so good to watch when he's batting well.