how long before south africa recall boucher?

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

If SA pick Boucher as a specialist bat, I for one will be laughing.

Though it'd be harsh on DeVilliers to give Boucher the gloves ahead of him. He's been quite superb. That said, if AB doesn't want the gloves, fair game. He can then open the batting and Gibbs can move into the middle order.

 

[Richard]

If keeping he doesn't want to be opening as well.

He's been doing it all his cricketing life.
No, he doesn't want to be doing it in Test-cricket because it will result in a short career, but nonetheless it's a waste of a talent either way - a waste of an opening-batsman down the order or a waste of a good wicketkeeping talent to not use it.

 

[Richard]

The same U19s that you usally say mean nothing?

They mean nothing until they're backed by results at the domestic-level. When they are (as they have been with de Villiers) they are better than nothing.

 

[Richard]

Which is...kinda weird. Tsolekile dropped..that's one "quota-player".
Langeveldt probably out with his broken hand..that's the second.
Should Boucher play, dropping De Villiers would be ludicrous, so Amla has to go...there's quotaboy #3 gone. Ergo: not going to happen.

So what are the options? Dippenaar out, Amla at 5, De Villiers at 6?
Drop De Villiers? You Cannot Be Serious!

I find it inconceivable that SA's (statistically) second-best batsman of the series will be dropped.
Having picked Boucher in the squad I can't see that they're not planning to play him. If they drop de Villiers that would be inestimatebly harsh.
If they drop Amla that will be acceptible, and much the best for him personally IMO, but may not fill quota desires.
Personally, on pure cricketing merits, I'd pick
Smith
de Villiers
Rudolph
Kallis
de Bruyn (yes, I know, he's not in the squad - but he darn well should be - and he fills the quota too)
Dippenaar
Boucher
Pollock
Boje
I'd not have hesitation dropping Gibbs given his most recent 3 Tests, he looks like he's totally lost it. Given Herschelle's past, though, you can't rule-out him playing and getting 150.
Also rather worrying that the only option if Langeveldt is not fit is the recall of Mr. Steyn... just when they looked like they were realising that bowlers who haemorrage runs aren't the way to go.

 

[superkingdave]

Rumour has it that Boucher was considering toddling off to England to become a kolpak player and that's why he's been recalled. From what ive heard its unlikely he'll play the 4th test

 

[Langeveldt]

Rumour has it that Boucher was considering toddling off to England to become a kolpak player and that's why he's been recalled. From what ive heard its unlikely he'll play the 4th test

I find it weird how Boucher has been "recalled".. Does that move Tsolekile to third then? Which leaves the selectors with egg on their faces..

 

[marc71178]

He's been doing it all his cricketing life.

All 10 or so games - wow!

 

[Richard]

No, in the however many hundred games of seriously organised cricket he's played in the last 8 years or so.

 

[Richard]

I find it weird how Boucher has been "recalled".. Does that move Tsolekile to third then? Which leaves the selectors with egg on their faces..

Not like authorities apparently having egg on their faces and coming-up with some kock-and-bull story to cover it is too much new.

 

[marc71178]

No, in the however many hundred games of seriously organised cricket he's played in the last 8 years or so.

And of course you know this from having watched all those games?

 

[superkingdave]

Latest news is that the board were wary of another compensation claim from Boucher like that of Klusener etc. Something to do with the fact he was apparently originally included in the 1st test squad

 

[Richard]

And of course you know this from having watched all those games?

You don't need to watch a game to know that someone kept wicket and opened the batting.

 

[Richard]

Latest news is that the board were wary of another compensation claim from Boucher like that of Klusener etc. Something to do with the fact he was apparently originally included in the 1st test squad

In a way it's a shame they both haven't played.
Klusener takes another 6-for yesterday - still not a remote sign of selection.
Just hope he migt get picked for the ODIs.

 

[marc71178]

You don't need to watch a game to know that someone kept wicket and opened the batting.

I realised later what you meant.

But I don't see what any of his pre-FC career means seeing as there's such a huge difference between the games.

 

[Richard]

It doesn't mean as much as three- and four-day cricket, obviously.
But I did make pains to point that out - simply saying that it was a sad waste of talent either way - or a waste of a potentially longer career.

 

[Langeveldt]

just when they looked like they were realising that bowlers who haemorrage runs aren't the way to go.

He has played two test matches!!??

 

[Richard]

And haemorraged runs in both.

 

[Langeveldt]

And haemorraged runs in both.

Good job you aren't a selector.. We would never have seen Gooch, Attapattu, Kallis, Boucher, possibly Harmison taking that attitude.. True, he gave away too many runs in both, but you can't label a guy on two tests..

 

[sledger]

lol richard as a selector??
oh dear, now that would be unfortunate

 

[Richard]

Good job you aren't a selector.. We would never have seen Gooch, Attapattu, Kallis, Boucher, possibly Harmison taking that attitude.. True, he gave away too many runs in both, but you can't label a guy on two tests..

No, you can't, and if you calm down and don't read too much between the lines, you might notice that I wasn't.
I was simply saying that South Africa's best chance of winning\not losing this crucial series was to not pick Dale Steyn at the present time.