A South African XI That Never Played Tests

[Line and Length]

I'm probably out of my depth here and will rely on help from our South African members and others with more knowledge than mine.

The apartheid ban certainly denied many players the opportunity to play Test cricket and limited the appearances of some truly great players. My team, therefore, is heavily reliant of my knowledge and research of that particular era.

A South Africa XI

Henry Fotheringham 8,814 runs @ 40.1 - 21 centuries
Hylton Ackerman 12,219 @ 32.5 - 20 centuries
Ken McKewan 26,628 @ 41.7 - 74 centuries
Clive Rice 26,331 @ 40.9 - 48 centuries; 930 wickets @ 22.5
Andre Bruyns 5.050 @ 33.4 - 11 centuries
Peter Swart 6,093 @ 25.6 - 6 centuries; 370 w @ 25.3
Ray Jennings w/k 4,168 @ 23.6; 621 dismissals
Garth le Roux 5425 @ 25.7; 838w @ 21.2
Vintcent van der Bijl 767w @ 16.2
Denys Hobson 374w @ 27.5
Rupert Hanley 408 w @ 20.8

12th man: Steve Jeffries 3810 @ 25.0; 478w @ 27.6

I'm aware that Bruyns was also a wicketkeeper but his batting warranted his inclusion. Besides, I wanted to include the clip of Jennings keeping.
The pace attack is impressive with many critics regarding van der Bijl as the best quick never to have played Tests. Hobson provides the spin option.

Eric Petersen, Krom Hendricks and Dik Abed were coloured players who were denied the opportunity to represent their country yet are named as very talented cricketers. Abed is particularly noteworthy. He captained the Netherlands and had a stellar career in Lancashire League but, without FC careers, it is difficult to include them.

I hope members are able to add further names - particularly those of more contemporary players worthy of consideration

Here is that clip of Jennings

 

[morgieb]

Yeah it's pretty clear that most of the Saffers who never played Tests were from the Apartheid ban.

Three recent names that I thought were unlucky to never play Tests are Puttick, Pothas and Benkenstein.

 

[Line and Length]

Yeah it's pretty clear that most of the Saffers who never played Tests were from the Apartheid ban.

Three recent names that I thought were unlucky to never play Tests are Puttick, Pothas and Benkenstein.

All three would be worthy inclusions. Keep them coming!

 

[Starfighter]

I wonder about Kevin McKenzie rather than Bruyn. Also from non-white players Vincent Barnes might be an option, although no idea of how his Howa Bowl average of 11.95 would translate (it was clearly not a high quality competition). So many other players with good records from that era, like van Zyl and Watson too.

Hobson over Kourie is an interesting choice considering the latter has by a distance the better average (421@ 23.44) and could bat too (4470@ 34.38).

 

[Dendarii]

If you're allowing players who played for other countries but didn't play tests then Ryan ten Doeschate comes into the reckoning. 10,766 runs at 45.61 and 212 wickets at 33.92.

 

[tony p]

line and length, you got about half the team that i have, however i differ a little,

henry fotheringham, 8814@40.06, 21 cent.
mandy yachad, 6365@34.78, 14 cent
ken mcewan, 26628@41.73, 74 cent
clive rice, 26631@40.95, 48 cent, 930 wkts@22.49
neil rosendorff, 5014@42.49, 11 cent
roy pienaar, 10896@34.15, 18 cent, 153 wkts@33.19
ray jennings, 4160@23.90, 3 cent, caught 567, stumped 54
vintcent van der bijl, 767 wkts@16.54
garth le roux, 838 wkts@20.81
rupert hanley, 408 wkts@20.81
john waddington, 375 wkts@24.49.

rosendorff carried the orange free state batting for years in the sixties and seventies, an unfashionable side, but he made plenty of good runs
pienaar also played a little for kent
yachad played 1 one day international in 1991 against india scoring 31. he was named in south african cricket annual five players of the year twice, in 1985 and 1991. he also played hockey for south africa.
waddington,like rosendorff played for an unfashionable side, Griqualand West. he was the youngest South African player to debut in first-class cricket, aged 15 years 320 days in 1934, most of his cricket was played after the war, retiring in 1958/59, his last match took 8-64.

almost picked chris wilkins who also played for derbyshire, but he just missed out.

i'm sure there are a number of domestic players from 2000 onwards who may have been unlucky, but i can't think of any off the top of my head who are more deserving.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Brian Davison. Was a Zim, but would have played for South Africa in the 70’s.

 

[kingkallis]

This probably makes a brilliant playing XI:

Henry Fotheringham / ( 8,814 runs @ 40.06 )
Andrew Puttick / ( 10,956 runs @ 40.27 )
Ken McEwan / ( 26,628 runs @ 41.73 )
Neil Rosendorff / ( 5,014 runs @ 42.49 )
Dale Benkenstein / ( 15,962 @ 44.21 )
Clive Rice (c) / o ( 26,331 runs @ 40.9; 930 wickets @ 22.5 )
Alan Kourie / o ( 4,470 runs @ 34.38; 421 wickets @ 23.44 )
Garth Le Roux o / ( 5,425 runs @ 25.71; 838 wickets @ 21.24 )
Ray Jennings + / ( 4,160 runs @23.90; 567 catches, 54 stumping )
Vincent van der Bijl o ( 767 wickets @ 16.54 )
Vincent Barnes o ( 323 wickets @ 11.95 )

12th man: Saait Magiet o / ( 2,650 runs @ 29.12; 171 wickets @ 12.99 )

Honourable mention: A Jabaar, Stephen Draai, Rushdie Magiet

 

[Bolo.]

I wonder about Kevin McKenzie rather than Bruyn. Also from non-white players Vincent Barnes might be an option, although no idea of how his Howa Bowl average of 11.95 would translate (it was clearly not a high quality competition). So many other players with good records from that era, like van Zyl and Watson too.

Hobson over Kourie is an interesting choice considering the latter has by a distance the better average (421@ 23.44) and could bat too (4470@ 34.38).

Nobody seems to hold Kourie in much regard. IDK why. Actually, IDK much about him at all. But averaging 23 in an era when RSA pitches were better suited to pace is really impressive, especially when you consider the fact that his home ground was the wanderers. And this is without considering the fact that he was an AR.

There is probably a reason he doesnt get the level of respect some of his contemporaries do, but Im not sure what it is.

 

[Line and Length]

I've certainly received plenty of food for thought and will revise my selections in the next day or two.

 

[Bolo.]

Here is that clip of Jennings

Jennings was pretty damn spectacular. He was hero worshipped as a gloveman in RSA back in the day. I actually remember a few of these catches. I dont remember the grab at 6.22 though, which is the best of the lot. Might be the best catch I have ever seen from a keeper.

 

[kingkallis]

Jennings was pretty damn spectacular. He was hero worshipped as a gloveman in RSA back in the day. I actually remember a few of these catches. I dont remember the grab at 6.22 though, which is the best of the lot. Might be the best catch I have ever seen from a keeper.

There was a decent gape between Ray and the 1st slip. Says A LOT about the gloves man that he was!

 

[Line and Length]

When revising my original side I needed to consider the impact of having the 216 Howa Bowl matches given retrospective "First Class" status after the competition was disbanded after 90/91. It needs to be noted that the pitches used in the competition were poor quality, which is highlighted by the fact that a team passed 400 in an innings just six times while falling for under 100 on 87 occasions. Such a bowler-friendly scenario casts some doubts when comparing Vincen Barnes with bowlers that competed in the Currie Cup. For that reason, and no other reason, I have overlooked his claims.

Here then is my revised South Africa XI that never played Test cricket.

Henry Fotheringham 8,814 runs @ 40.1 - 21 centuries
Andrew Puttick 10,956 @ 40.3 - 27 centuries
Ken McKewan 26,628 @ 41.7 - 74 centuries
Dale Benkenstein 15,962 @ 44.2 - 38 centuries; 100 wickets @ 36.1
Clive Rice 26,331 @ 40.9 - 48 centuries; 930 wickets @ 22.5
Ryan ten Doeschate 10,766 @ 45.6 - 29 centuries; 212 wickets @ 33.9
Alan Kourie 4,470 @ 34.4 - 5 centuries; 421 wickets @ 23.4
Ray Jennings w/k 4,168 @ 23.6; 621 dismissals
Garth le Roux 5425 @ 25.7; 838w @ 21.2
Vintcent van der Bijl 767w @ 16.2
John Waddington 375 wickets @ 24.5


12th man: Nic Pothas 11,438 @ 40.9 - 24 centuries

3 specialist bowlers and 4 genuine all-rounders has this side bristling with talent.

If any purists question Ryan ten Doeschate's credentials then Neil Rosendorff (5,014 @ 42.5 - 11 centuries; 68 wickets @ 37.8) getting the nod ahead of Nic Pothas as he has some bowling credentials .

All-in-all a far stronger line-up than the one I originally selected. Thanks to all those who contributed ideas.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

I thought that Roelof van der Merwe had a stellar FC career only to look up his record and it's like a tier below Shakib's test record.

 

[capt_Luffy]

I know I am some 3 years late; but I think Frank Roro deserves a nomination in this team ..... Based on the same logic many people name Barry Richards among world's finest batsmen despite only playing 4 test matches; Roro played the only game he was allowed to, in pitches that far better for bowlers; and boy! Did he excelled in that. Having an average close to a 100 is not a joke in any level by any standards; and most people who watched him play believed him to be capable of playing for any national team. He was even in the short list for the 10 Greatest South African cricketers ever in 2000.... My team would be:
1. Henry Fotheringham
2. Mandy Yachad
3. Frank Roro
4. Ken McEwan
5. Dale Benkenstein
6. Clive Rice (c)
7. Ray Jennings (wk)
8. Alan Kourie
9. Garth Le Roux
10. Vincent Van Der Bijl
11. Vincent Barnes

 

[Owzat]

Yeah it's pretty clear that most of the Saffers who never played Tests were from the Apartheid ban.

Three recent names that I thought were unlucky to never play Tests are Puttick, Pothas and Benkenstein.

Benkenstein played 17 ODIs, averaged 17.94, not hard to see why they wouldn't have picked him for Tests

had a Test line-up included Klusener, Cullinan, Cronje, Kirsten (G), Kallis, Pollock, McMillan and Boucher as keeper, and of course Jonty Rhodes who may not have been prolific in runs was a reputation on legs with hands as a top fielder, and of course Gibbs came along around that time, I can see why with a lacklustre ODI record and pretty strong saffer Test XI why he didn't break in, even if a great domestic record and only needs one cap to have avoided the "never to play Tests" tag

Pothas unlucky to be playing same time/era as Boucher unless I'm misremembering when Pothas played, but feeling it was 2000s and Boucher was Test keeper 1997-2012 taking over I'd guess from Dave, then of course in comes ABDV and as a batsman-keeper Pothas would have been hoping the team was devoid of any batting - to be fair has been relatively weak in the past decade but not enough to get Pothas a go

worth remembering, we know it but isn't necessarily at the forefront of our minds, there can only be one keeper and whilst De Villiers then/before, and Bairstow now, can play as batsmen Test sides seem to pick a strong batsman-keeper and unless bereft of any decent batting options won't shuffle the order that often.

 

[kingkallis]

I know I am some 3 years late; but I think Frank Roro deserves a nomination in this team ..... Based on the same logic many people name Barry Richards among world's finest batsmen despite only playing 4 test matches; Roro played the only game he was allowed to, in pitches that far better for bowlers; and boy! Did he excelled in that. Having an average close to a 100 is not a joke in any level by any standards; and most people who watched him play believed him to be capable of playing for any national team. He was even in the short list for the 10 Greatest South African cricketers ever in 2000.... My team would be:
1. Henry Fotheringham
2. Mandy Yachad
3. Frank Roro
4. Ken McEwan
5. Dale Benkenstein
6. Clive Rice (c)
7. Ray Jennings (wk)
8. Alan Kourie
9. Garth Le Roux
10. Vincent Van Der Bijl
11. Vincent Barnes

Remembering Frank Roro: South Africa’s Don Bradman

Last Saturday marked the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Frank Roro, our greatest African cricketer, and the benchmark for all African batsmen.

www.iol.co.za

 

[Shri]

have always wondered how great Garth le Roux would have been in tests

 

[Coronis]

Remembering Frank Roro: South Africa’s Don Bradman

Last Saturday marked the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Frank Roro, our greatest African cricketer, and the benchmark for all African batsmen.

www.iol.co.za

Fantastic read.

 

[sayon basak]

I know I am some 3 years late; but I think Frank Roro deserves a nomination in this team ..... Based on the same logic many people name Barry Richards among world's finest batsmen despite only playing 4 test matches; Roro played the only game he was allowed to, in pitches that far better for bowlers; and boy! Did he excelled in that. Having an average close to a 100 is not a joke in any level by any standards; and most people who watched him play believed him to be capable of playing for any national team. He was even in the short list for the 10 Greatest South African cricketers ever in 2000.... My team would be:
1. Henry Fotheringham
2. Mandy Yachad
3. Frank Roro
4. Ken McEwan
5. Dale Benkenstein
6. Clive Rice (c)
7. Ray Jennings (wk)
8. Alan Kourie
9. Garth Le Roux
10. Vincent Van Der Bijl
11. Vincent Barnes

ATG debut. May your career go on for ages.