Latest news with #Proteas'
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Klaasen's SA retirement should ring alarm bells in international cricket
MUMBAI: Apart from India, one of the main attractions of the 2023 ICC World Cup was South Africa in the league stage of the competition. If it was India's pace bowling, South Africa's batting captured the imagination of fans. In a series of dazzling performances, the Proteas' batters entertained the Indian crowd with their power-hitting. Along with top-order batters Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen, there was the explosive Heinrich Klaasen to boost the middle-order. After starting the tournament with 428/5 in 50 overs against Sri Lanka, they lit up the event with 300-plus totals six times in 10 games in the run-up to the semi-final. When the bounce is true, there is no better sight than Klaasen in full flow. During the tournament, the pitches at the Wankhede Stadium helped bring the out the best in him as he smashed a 67-ball 109 (vs England) and a 49-ball 90 (vs Bangladesh) in back-to-back matches. Again, in the 2024 T20 World Cup, he was South Africa's impact player. He almost took the final away from India with a belligerent 27-ball 52. On Monday, the 33-year-old Klaasen announced a shock retirement from international cricket, the latest in a growing list of top all-format players seeking to concentrate on professional T20 leagues around the world. One of the game's most fearsome hitters, he is one of the most sought-after players on the T20 franchise circuit. Apart from the Indian Premier League (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Klaasen is signed up for the Major League Cricket (for Seattle Orcas) and The Hundred (Manchester Originals). 'It is a sad day for me as I announce that I have decided to step away from international cricket,' Klassen, who played four Tests, 60 ODIs and 58 T20Is, said in a statement. 'It took me a long time to decide what's best for me and my family for the future. It was truly a very difficult decision but also one that I have absolute peace with. 'To have played with the Proteas badge on my chest was and will always be the biggest honour in my career. I look forward to spending more time with my family as this decision will allow me to do so.' With a host of professional T20 leagues across continents paying big money, it's become a trend for top players to give them preference over international cricket. Due to a packed schedule, the clash of fixtures between T20 Leagues and bilateral series has players in a fix. Last season, South Africa faced an embarrassing situation when they were forced to take a Test squad without most frontline players to New Zealand because of a clash with SA20. There is a clash of schedules this season as well. South Africa play two Tests and a T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe in July and three T20Is and ODIs each in Australia and England in August and September. Those series, however, clash with MLC, The Hundred and the Caribbean Premier League. Klaasen is following in the footsteps of fellow South African Quinton de Kock. The dashing left-handed opener was the star of the 2023 ODI and 2024 T20 World Cups. De Kock had won over Indian fans in the 2023 World Cup by smashing four centuries. De Kock though chose to retire from ODIs after the tournament. In late 2021, he had announced a shock retirement from Tests. He has not played T20Is either after last year's World Cup final. Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi have also opted out of central contracts but remain available for South Africa. After Australia, India and England, South Africa continues to produce exciting cricket talent. The latest example is Dewald Brevis, 22, who played for Chennai Super Kings this IPL season and is in big demand among franchises. It is seen in the results. SA play the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's this month, after finishing runners-up in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Players making a beeline to T20 leagues by ditching national teams should worry the International Cricket Council. West Indies and New Zealand players have also prioritised franchise cricket over internationals. In fact, New Zealand's premier batter Kane Williamson last year rejected a central contract. New Zealand's all-time leading Test run-scorer said he wanted to play for his country but wished to 'pursue an overseas opportunity' during the home summer. Left-arm pacer Trent Boult was among the first Kiwi players to opt out of a central contract. Missing such high-profile cricketers will affect the quality of international competitions as national squads get depleted. The concern is that soon the franchise teams will look stronger than most national outfits.
IOL News
13 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Philander shares Lord's wisdom as Proteas prepare for World Test Championship final
Former Proteas star Vernon Philander's five-f0r against England at Lord's is still the stuff of cricketing legend. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix As South Africa prepare for their biggest red-ball challenge in over a decade, one of the country's most accomplished seamers is playing a key role off the field. Vernon Philander, the former Test bowling spearhead, has been passing on his deep knowledge of Lord's to the Proteas' current crop of fast bowlers — the same venue where he once etched his name into history. The Proteas are gearing up for a daunting World Test Championship Final against Australia at the London ground, which still holds a special place in the heart of the former all-rounder. Philander took a memorable five-for in the second innings of the Proteas' Test victory against England at Lord's in the summer of 2012, securing his place on the Lord's honours board. The Cape Town-born Philander, who took 224 Test wickets in a storied career, has also built up a solid knowledge base on the hallowed arena from his time in county cricket. WTC final: Australia vs South Africa Image: Independent Media Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading He was especially devastating with new ball in hand, alongside speedster Dale Steyn, and expects the new ball to once again be crucial for the current Proteas bowlers. 'Between myself and Dale, we wanted to start well,' the current cricket commentator said at the Proteas' send-off in Johannesburg last week. "That new ball is going to be key. "The Aussies are a team that want to get on the front foot as quick as they possibly can, playing aggressive cricket. Whether it's the new ball or slightly older ball, they'll come hard at it 'So, it's important that whoever is going to take the new ball in this once-off Test, will have to start well.' Among the technical adjustments the Proteas' bowling attack will have to make is getting used to the Duke ball, whose seam is more pronounced than the Kookaburra that both SA and Australian players are more used to. Proteas captain Temba Bavuma, front, is expected to call on Kagiso Rabada to break Australia's resistance during the WTC final. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media 'The control factor, obviously, it's a shift up in the way that you think, in the way that you deliver the ball,' Philander explained of the Duke. "If they can get used to that quickly, then you have to factor in overhead conditions at Lord's, which will play a massive part – the slow ball plays a part. But if it's really good conditions, it can be an absolute belter to bat on. 'The Duke definitely swings more than the Kookaburra. I think the new Duke ball offers up some scoring opportunities because it has a lacquer on the outside, which you first have to get rid of before it starts swinging. 'I always feel that first 10 overs it's quite nice as a batter because the ball comes onto the bat. But once the ball has lost that lacquer, it will offer up a bit more for the bowlers. 'So it's working out what's going to make you effective in those conditions, and I do feel that from an overall skills perspective, we've got most bases covered.' Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad will consult the Proteas ahead of the WTC final about the niceties of Lord's. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Philander sees the right-arm pace of Kagiso Rabada as an ideal counterpoint to the left-arm swing of the lanky Marco Jansen. The skill and control of bowlers such as Dane Paterson, Lungi Ngidi, and Wiaan Mulder also provide a balanced line-up. The 39-year-old also favours going into the June 11 Test with four seamers. 'If conditions are overcast, that ball will swing from ball one, so you want to fire up KG. With the new ball, he sets the tone,' Philander said. 'If there's swing on offer, you maybe want Jansen coming in from the other end — one bowler nipping the ball away, the other bringing it back.' He also offered insight into how to exploit the famous Lord's slope: 'If the ball was swinging, I liked going against the slope. "Every now and then, one nips away, and that's enough to plant the seed of doubt. Batters start playing at balls they don't want to play at.' Heinrich Klaasen retired from international cricket on Monday. Photo: AFP Image: AFP The Proteas,meanwhile, will also have a unique opportunity to gain local insights when former England paceman Stuart Broad joins the squad as a consultant on June 9. He will work with the team for a day to assist with final preparations for the championship decider. Meanwhile, the South Africa cricket was rocked by the unexpected retirement of wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen, who called time on his international career at 33-years old. The explosive right-hander played 122 matches for South Africa across all three formats after making his debut in 2018.
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Proteas coach lines up options aplenty to send out a thrilling World Test Championship XI
Eight players have been selected, but the balance of South Africa's side for the final is in focus after coach Shukri Conrad gave himself several choices in his squad. South Africa's World Test Championship (WTC) final encounter against Australia is fast approaching and the Proteas squad will assemble in Arundel in the UK from Saturday before taking on Zimbabwe in a four-day warm-up match from Tuesday, 3 June. Coach Shukri Conrad's selections for that game will paint a clear picture of his thoughts ahead of the match he considers the Proteas' 'biggest-ever final'. It won't be set in stone, however, as South Africa will only arrive in London on 7 June and will then have an opportunity to assess conditions at Lord's Cricket Ground, where the final will be played. Conrad and his brains trust, which includes skipper Temba Bavuma, will then have the opportunity to mull over a specialist spin bowler, an extra fast bowler or even an additional all-rounder, all of whom Conrad has selected in his 15-player squad as options. There are eight players whose names are penned in for the final, including opening batters Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, whom Conrad confirmed when he announced the squad a fortnight ago. Numbers four and five in the batting order will almost certainly be occupied by Tristan Stubbs and Bavuma, respectively. They've batted there in South Africa's past six Test innings. David Bedingham is likely to bat at No 6 for the Proteas, although his Test form has been stuttering recently. The 31-year-old is the only player to have played every match of the WTC cycle for South Africa, but he's had a lean spell. Yet with no one else knocking the door down, he is unlikely to sit out the final. Kyle Verreynne – who has been the Proteas' first-choice gloveman throughout the current WTC cycle – will come in at seven. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen will lead the attack with the ball. How the other puzzle pieces form around those eight players is less clear. Bowlers Slow left-arm orthodox Keshav Maharaj is a near-lock for the final XI, but his inclusion depends on conditions. Maharaj has missed out in fast bowling-friendly conditions under Conrad before. He was left out for all-rounder Corbin Bosch against Pakistan in Centurion in the Boxing Day Test match last year. The square at Lord's seems to be gripping well for spin, with Middlesex's Zafar Gohar eighth on the wicket-taking charts with 21 scalps in seven matches in the County Championship. Of those, 17 were taken at Lord's by the left-arm slow bowler. The spot for the third seamer is also contentious, with Dane Paterson and Lungi Ngidi the choices. Paterson is a skilful medium-pace bowler with the ability to get the ball to talk off the deck, which is just about tailor-made for English conditions. The 36-year-old is also playing County Cricket in England for Middlesex – whose home venue is Lord's. Ngidi's selection in the squad in the first place is slightly left-field. The tall quick hadn't played a Test match since August last year and has only played two matches in the current WTC cycle. Where Paterson's trademark is control and seam movement, Ngidi offers extra pace and bounce, as well as the ability to swing the ball through the air. It's a toss-up for what Conrad would prefer and what the conditions dictate on the day. Batting options That leaves the all-important No 3 spot vacant. The last man to bat in the position for the Proteas is seam bowling all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, who has had unexceptional returns in the two innings he has batted there (scores of five and 15). In Test cricket Mulder averages 22.65 with the willow. At this point of his career he looks better suited to batting down the order with his maiden Test century coming at No 7 against Bangladesh last year. The other option Conrad has is Tony de Zorzi. De Zorzi has a modest Test average of 30 after 11 matches, but he is more accustomed to batting in the top three. The southpaw's first seven innings in Test cricket were at No 3, where he averaged only 20.71 before moving to the opening slot after the retirement of Dean Elgar and then being usurped by Rickelton. De Zorzi averaged 35 while opening the batting with two half-centuries and one century in 20 innings. Mulder's bowling might factor in the decision-making. If Conrad opts to play De Zorzi as well as Maharaj, the Proteas will only have three fast-bowling options, which is suboptimal. The other options are all-rounders Bosch and Senuran Muthusamy. Bosch is likely to be the option Conrad turns to if he does choose to play a four-prong pace attack and not select a spin bowler. That would open the door for De Zorzi to bat at three while the team maintains its balance. Muthusamy offers a better option with the bat than Maharaj with his slow left arm, but without the supreme control of the latter. Australia's options Reigning WTC mace holders Australia have remained a relatively consistent side over the past few years. Most of the team are established international players. The only player not available from the side that won the 2023 WTC final against India is David Warner, who has retired. The bowlers pick themselves, with captain Pat Cummins leading a vicious pack that includes Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon who offers his accurate off-breaks. Usman Khawaja will open the batting but who partners him is the question. Aussie convener of selectors George Bailey has outlined Marnus Labuschagne and Sam Konstas as potentials. Konstas made his debut against India at the end of last year and scored 113 runs in the four innings he batted, but he was dropped for Australia's tour to Sri Lanka the next month. Travis Head was paired with Khawaja on the spin-friendly decks in the subcontinent, but in England he will probably be slotted in his preferred No 5. Labuschagne averaged 28.62 over the past two seasons but his overall batting average is still the second best in the side behind Steve Smith. All-rounder Cameron Green is also available although he would only play as a batter because a stress fracture in his back has not healed sufficiently for him to bowl. Labuschagne moving up the order would leave space for Green to slot in the middle order while maintaining their four bowling options, with Beau Webster providing the all-round option. Alex Carey will take the gloves for Australia, completing the playing XI. Both South Africa and Australia have the pieces of the puzzle for their playing XIs worked out after achieving more success than the other nations over the past two years of the WTC cycle. The conditions at Lord's along with the intuition of those in charge will determine how those pieces come together. DM
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
'I'm not going to be ‘Mr I Apologise' — Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada felt there was no need to elaborate on the circumstances that saw him test positive for a 'recreational drug', nor to offer any further apology. Rabada, who served a one-month suspension in April, added on Friday he would be addressing his Proteas teammates in the next few days because he 'owes it to them'. It was the first time Rabada had spoken publicly about the incident. The 30-year-old fast bowler, who will lead the Proteas' attack in the World Test Championship final against Australia in two weeks time, reaffirmed that the positive drugs test would not define him. 'I don't think there is anything more to speak on that. If I have to elaborate more, move away from it and see how it influenced me, it's led me to some introspection. I took some time away from the game and I think the biggest thing I took away from it was having gratitude for playing the game that we love. I'm just glad to be back playing again.' The SA Institute for Drug Free Sport said in a statement at the start of May that Rabada had tested positive in January while playing in the SA20. Because the positive test occurred outside competition, Rabada received the minimum sanction.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
EXCLUSIVE: Temba Bavuma will lead Proteas in his own calm way in Lord's Test final, says Graeme Smith
Lord's is just an amazing place to play cricket, says former Proteas captain Graeme Smith. Picture: Alet Pretorius/Sportzpics Image: Alet Pretorius/Sportzpics Former captain Graeme Smith believes Temba Bavuma's 'calm and assured' leadership will be key to the Proteas' chances in the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's next month. Smith famously lifted the golden ICC Test mace at Lord's back in 2012 after leading the Proteas to the No 1 Test ranking. The Proteas have an opportunity to reclaim the coveted mace at the very same hallowed venue 13 years later, but enter the final as 'underdogs' against the defending champions. Unlike Smith's hardened 2012 veterans, Bavuma will lead a greenhorn Proteas side whose most experienced player is fast bowler Kagiso Rababa with 70 caps. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The skipper, who has also yet to play at Lord's, will therefore have a critical role to play in ensuring the occasion does not overwhelm his team. 'Arriving at Lords, there can be a lot of fanfare because it's people's first experience of the museum, the ground, the traditions that come with it, the Members Stand,' Smith exclusively told Independent Media on the Indy Sports Show. 'Often it's about getting those little things out of the way and dealing with it pre-game. It is just an amazing place to go and play cricket and to have a World Championship final there, adds to the occasion. 'I think Temba will go about it his own way though. He's not a guy that shouts from the rooftops. He's calm and assured.' Bavuma has been the Proteas' leading Test batter over the past two years, averaging 60.90, in the red-ball arena. Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma. Picture: Supplied. Image: Supplied Smith, whose name is up on the honours board for the highest score by an overseas player after he struck a double century in his first Test at Lord's in 2003, feels that Bavuma's role with the willow will be critical to the mood in the Proteas dressingroom. 'We know that they've got certain challenges they're going to need to overcome against a very successful Australian team. They're the underdogs,' Smith said. 'The most important thing for Temba is his performance with the bat. There's a lot of players in that line-up that can bat around a Temba, and with his consistent performance of late, if he can take that into the game, it really does calm things down and settle things down for the rest of the unit. 'But what an opportunity. It would be fantastic to see, in a one-off Test match, they give it everything and perform their skills.' Independent Media's Zaahier Adams will be at Lord's for the World Test Championship bringing you all the news, videos and podcasts. Picture: Independent Media Image: Independent Media
