***Official*** South Africa in India 2015

[OverratedSanity]

Philander's a big loss tbh. Bowled very well. If Morkel hadn't recovered from his injury, Rabada might've had to lead the attack in his second test.

Still, I don't think it's as big a blow as it's being made out. Duminy and Morkel being fit again are big pluses and I expect them both, especially Duminy with the ball, to make a big difference. From India's end, I really hope we drop one of Umesh/Aaron and bring in Rohit if they're going to produce another turning pitch. Ishant as a lone seamer is good enough to handle the attack and what we really need to do is strengthen the batting. Rohit's #intent is actually perfect for square turners since he's awesome at bashing lame spinners.

 

[harsh.ag]

So what you are saying is drop both Umesh and Aaron, and not just one of them, right?

 

[OverratedSanity]

yip. brainfade.

 

[Daemon]

Going by the nets session which is usually a pretty good indicator, only Yadav will be dropped for Ishant.

 

[Shri]

Philander out of the series. Lose some weight maybe?

 

[Marius]

Abbott called up as a replacement:

Philander ruled out of series with ankle injury | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[Jono]

Sorry Indian fans, we don't get to make fun of Philander when we'd take him in a heartbeat.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

If Philander's out that messes up the balance of the team a bit - he's the best batsman of the three seamers, and only him and Harmer can probably bat eight or higher.

Some selection dilemmas ahead I think.

I suppose if Duminy is fit that solves one headache I suppose, he'll go in at six, and Vilas will drop down a spot. But then will SA still play two spinners? I don't think so, but will it be Harmer or Tahir? I think I lean Harmer.

So, my team (assuming Philander is out) is:

Van Zyl
Elgar
Faf
Amla
AB
Duminy
Vilas
Harmer
Steyn
Rabada
Morkel

I'd also go with this team basically but if Steyn is out, Tahir gets in. A minor loss of batting strength in tailunders but Rabada can also bat a bit.

 

[Contra]

I think Philander just took offence to being made opener and subsequently being nailed my Jadeja

 

[aussie]

If Philander's out that messes up the balance of the team a bit - he's the best batsman of the three seamers, and only him and Harmer can probably bat eight or higher.

Some selection dilemmas ahead I think.

I suppose if Duminy is fit that solves one headache I suppose, he'll go in at six, and Vilas will drop down a spot. But then will SA still play two spinners? I don't think so, but will it be Harmer or Tahir? I think I lean Harmer.

So, my team (assuming Philander is out) is:

Van Zyl
Elgar
Faf
Amla
AB
Duminy
Vilas
Harmer
Steyn
Rabada
Morkel

Ye that's true, but of course at the end of day bowlers get picked for taking wickets - the extra runs he obviously would bring is a bonus - but I'd be more inclined to stick with Tahir - because if the 1st test was any indication he showed signs that he finally could be translating his limited overs form into tests & if that continues to be the case - he will aid SA to take 20 wickets more than Harmer.

 

[aussie]

This has literally nothing to do with the Bavuma selection.

Are you speaking about right now for this SA tour or at the specific time of his debut vs WI?

I'm referring to right now & the case for picking Cook on domestic form, because SA don't have a natural opening partner for Elgar is clearly much stronger than selecting Bavuma - because Van Zyl is already around as the natural better middle-order batsman back up to the Faf/Amla/AB/Duminy quartet.

 

[harsh.ag]

Philander isn't as great a batting asset in India though. With Duminy coming in, SA definitely have greater batting strength in this test.

 

[Shri]

Sorry Indian fans, we don't get to make fun of Philander when we'd take him in a heartbeat.

Take him and? Break him down slowly until he is useless? His body wouldn't last long. We can have him for a year or two before we lose him. I have stopped being envious of fast bowlers from other countries. Time for another spin quartet.

 

[Contra]

Actually for the first time in a while I'm relatively happy with the kind of pace resources we have, they far from perfect but they are all very different and full of potential. Ishant is genuinely good now, Yadav is wayward but still impactful, Bhuvi is massively underrated and should be given more tests than he gets and Shammi has potential although lacks endurance.

 

[Daemon]

They each have an iq of about 60 though

 

[OverratedSanity]

Combined imo

 

[Jono]

Take him and? Break him down slowly until he is useless? His body wouldn't last long. We can have him for a year or two before we lose him. I have stopped being envious of fast bowlers from other countries. Time for another spin quartet.

With philander I wouldn't have had to sit on a hill in nz and watch mccullum bat for 3 days straight. Good enough for me

 

[OverratedSanity]

Wellington still makes me so sad. Worst of our overseas tragedies even though we didn't even lose.

 

[Jono]

It's the most annoying of them but the worst is England. 1-0 up and we lose the next 3 in pathetic fashion.

With philander we probably win joburg too. Instead we won 1 test after our tours to saffer, Australia, nz, England.

Pitiful

 

[Marius]

Apparently Steyn is out of this Test.

Don't want to link to the article because it's by Moonda, so waiting for other confirmation.

Oh yes, according to her Dane Vilas is a specialist batsman.