Opinion: Post-Isolation South Africa Test XI | South Africa Test XI | South African Dream11 | Best South Africa XI since Isolation
For the purpose of this write up, I will be looking solely at the post-isolation period of South African cricket. Simply put, I will be looking at the period 1991-2020, which provides three decades worth of cricketers to choose from!
First opener and captain
Starting at the top of the order, there can be no doubt about my opening batsman and captain Graeme Smith. With 117 Tests and 9,265 runs to his name, he, alongside Alastair Cook and Matthew Hayden, are without a doubt three of the greatest opening batsmen in the modern era.
His batting aside, Smith boasts the record of being the most-capped captain in the longest format. Also, his staggering 49%-win record places him above the likes of Allan Border, Stephen Fleming, MS Dhoni and Alastair Cook.
Second Opener
His partner at the other end was a far tougher decision to make. Eventually, I was able to eliminate all but Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs. They were chalk and cheese in terms of how they went about their craft, but both were highly effective against the new ball.
At face value, Gary Kirsten seems the logical option with an average of 45 and 21 hundreds, compared to Herschelle Gibbs’ 42 average and 14 hundreds. However, upon further inspection, you’ll find that Gary Kirsten’s average is ‘bloated’ by his average of 71 batting at number three and in fact averages 41 as an opener. Gibbs’ average, on the other hand, is weighed down by his performance batting in the middle order. If we isolate his stats as an opener, Gibbs boasts an average of 47.
That being said, I still believe these stats lack some context. What really matters in my opinion is how these players perform against quality opposition.
Key question: How have they fared against the likes of mighty Australia, England and India?
In 88 innings, Gary Kirsten managed 3462 runs at an average of 41.21. In contrast, Gibbs accumulated 2563 runs in 73 innings at 35.60. The decision became easier at this point. If I’m honest, I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for the nuggety, gritty and almost ‘ugly’ type of openers, compared to the flashy and elegant guys for whom batting seems to come too easily.
Middle Order
I didn’t lose a wink of sleep thinking about who could possibly fill the 3-5 positions. Between Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers, the meat of my middle order has over 31,000 Test runs. They average 47, 55 and 51 respectively, with the added bonus of Kallis operating as my fifth bowler.
More, they have been successful against all opponents, in all conditions and across formats.
These three have formed a key part of the most dominant Proteas side to ever exist. I do not accept any debate when it comes to them.
Also read: AB de Villiers and who else? All-time T20 XI
Numbers six and seven
My middle-lower order proved to be a slightly tougher decision. Having Kallis in the side does allow me to pick an extra batsman and obviously one of 6-7 must keep wicket.
My ideal number six needs to be a gutsy player; someone who could weather an unlikely top order collapse, and really knuckle down with a stroke-playing number seven. The number seven should have the ability to score freely in the event of having to bat with the tail. Selecting my seven first; the obvious decision is between:
- Mark Boucher, who holds the record for the most Test dismissals as a keeper, and;
- The young-but-highly-destructive and talented Quinton de Kock.
As it stands, Boucher is probably the better gloveman. However, I’d argue that they are worlds apart when it comes to their batting. I can think of nothing more demoralising for an opposition captain than to have Quinton de Kock stride in after all those greats, with his ability to take the game away from you within a single session of play.
Boucher’s cricketing mind and experience will definitely be missed, but with the likes of Smith, Kallis and AB in that slip cordon, I believe there is enough experience to go around. Quinton de Kock slots in at seven.
Going back to my number six; there are a handful of players and a handful of variables to consider. Many might assume that Daryll Cullinan, with his 44 average, is the obvious option.
However, I have two main reservations here. Firstly, Cullinan batted at four for 84% of his career. In fact, he only operated as the number six once in 115 innings. Secondly, although his overall stats look impressive, his average of 12 against Australia leaves a lot to be desired.
JP Duminy, probably the most conventional, talented and elegant number six of the players considered, never really lived up to his potential. His Test career ended with modest average of 33 (25 batting at six). His record against Australia is something to be admired, but unfortunately he has not done enough to earn himself a position in the Proteas XI.
The late Hansie Cronje is another player that comes to mind, who too seemed to perform above average against the Aussies. However, he struggled to replicate that form against the likes of India and England. Furthermore, with an average of 28 in eight innings while batting at number six, he also has not done enough to earn himself a place amongst these legends.
So, with Cullinan, Duminy and Cronje excluded, we’re left with two players:
- Ashwell Prince, an immensely talented and mentally tough left-hander, with a wide variety of strokes, who helped the Proteas out of more than one sticky situation throughout his career and;
- Former Proteas test captain, Faf du Plessis.
Let’s compare them:
There is of course very little difference between these players. Prince has a marginally higher career average and average against stronger opposition. du Plessis has the higher average batting at six and a particularly good record against Australia.
They both have an impressive resume when it comes to digging South Africa out of a hole. But, in the end, I simply asked myself who I would choose to bat for my life. Between these two guys, Faf du Plessis’ debut heroics against the Aussies down under is an innings I wont forget anytime soon. He slots in at six.
Bowling Attack
Spinner:
For the sake of balance, I will go with three seamers and one spinner, with Kallis the fifth option. This might seem strange given the plethora of fast bowlers that have come out of South Africa over the last 30 years, but I believe an attack consisting of five right-arm fast bowlers is a bit one-dimensional.
With a strike force coming from the likes of Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada, you can imagine that the role of my spinner will not necessarily be to try and take wickets. Rather, he should be able to keep an end tidy while I rotate my quicks in short spells from the opposite end.
It’s no secret that South Africa is yet to produce a ‘world class’ caliber spinner. However, I do believe that Paul Adams, as well as Keshav Maharaj, have been successful at the highest level.
They will be my two contenders for the spinner role.
There is a common misconception among South African fans that Paul Adams was the (expensive) wicket taker, while Keshav Maharaj has the ability to keep an end quite without bothering the batsmen too much.
However, if we look at the numbers, you’ll find that Paul Adams was the more economical of the two. Maharaj, although moderately more expensive, tends to pick up wickets at a faster rate than Paul Adams. Upon further inspection, Maharaj appears to have struggled against major opposition (India in particular) and averages nearly 43 against the likes of Australia, England and India.
Adams, on the other hand, relished the opportunity to play against the Indians, averaging 23.73 against them. More, he averaged 31.19 against the aforementioned ‘big three’ Test sides. He is arguably the more skilful of the two bowlers, and although his action is unorthodox, his variety will compliment my three right arm quicks.
Fast Bowlers:
To complete my XI, I want three wicket takers. I’m not looking to strike the perfect balance between swing, seam, and pace bowling between the three. I simply want the three most destructive fast bowlers that South Africa has produced in the last 30 years.
It goes without saying, but it does become difficult to compare players from different periods of the game. Stats alone cannot tell the full story, but I do think it is a good starting base.
Pace Bowling Stats:
With an abundance of fast bowling legends, it seems cruel to ask a person to pick the best of the best. But, if I were to toss the ball to each of these players and ask them to all pick up a wicket, Rabada (according to his strike rate of 40.6) would be first. Steyn second. Donald third.
If I were to ask each of these players to pick up a wicket whilst conceding as little runs as possible, Donald would be my go-to guy. Followed by Philander. Then, by Steyn and Rabada, who both average 22.95 runs per wicket.
In terms of how ‘destructive’ they are, Rabada requires only 19.5 innings to pick up a 10 wicket haul. Steyn around 34 innings. Donald closer to 43. Looking solely at five-wicket hauls, the same names appear: Donald, Steyn and Rabada.
All three have bowled north of 150 clicks at a point in their career. All have all been successful against major opposition. And, all have had success in conditions that don’t necessarily suit fast bowling. Steyn and Rabada are the more skilful of the three, both able to move the ball either way at high speeds. Donald relied slightly more on his aggression and pace, often taking wickets through sheer determination and relentlessness rather than through masterful swing or seam bowling.
The trio view bowling as a personal battle between them and the batsman. Dale Steyn is one of, if not the only bowler, who would geniunely get quicker and quicker throughout the day. More, I cannot think of another bowler in world cricket who I would rather turn to if I was desperate for a wicket leading into the end of the day’s play. Graeme Smith certainly thought the same.
I would toss the new ball to Allan Donald and Dale Steyn. If a batsman had the temperament and ability to handle them, then comes a barrage of hostile fast bowling from the young Kagiso Rabada; a situation that I’m sure no batsman from any era would like to find themselves in.
A wonderful attack to top off a superb top seven.
Written by Daniel Orsmond. Follow Daniel on Twitter today.
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