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TimesLIVE
6 hours ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Three key battles that may decide outcome in WTC final at Lord's
The Proteas meet Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's from Wednesday. Here are TimesLIVE's three key battles that could decide who become the kings of Test cricket: Alex Carey vs Kyle Verreynne The last time Carey played at Lord's he was at the centre of controversy for running out Jonny Bairstow. There was a sense that in the aftermath his game suffered, but with the bat, he was Australia's fourth highest run-scorer in the last 2023-25 WTC cycle. He's a typically assertive Australian wicketkeeper/batter and his work behind the stumps complements one of Test cricket's great attacks. Carey averaged 35.33 in that period, very similar to Kyle Verreyne's 37.53 for the Proteas, though the latter has played less than half the number of Test innings over the same period. But Verreynne's value to SA grew last season and as Wednesday looms, he'll be expected to make a big impact in front and behind the stumps. A taste of training at the Home of Cricket 🔥💪. We're 2 days away from the #WTC Final, and our Proteas are locked in and ready for the ultimate challenge. 🏏 #WTCFinal #WozaNawe #ProteasWTCFinal — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 9, 2025 Kagiso Rabada vs Steve Smith There was the shoulder brush, there was sandpaper and there has also been four dismissals by Rabada of one of the great modern batters. He got the former Australian captain out twice in the SA 2016 series victory Down Under and the two bumped shoulders after Smith was dismissed lbw in Gqeberha, leading to a suspension that was subsequently overturned, and which all led to bits of sandpaper in pockets. How the battle is settled will go a long way towards deciding this match's outcome. Though Rabada has had success against him, Smith made a hundred the last time they met in Sydney two years ago. After all his troubles in the past few months, Rabada will be sniffing out Smith's wicket to give his side a leg up in the WTC final. Keshav Maharaj vs Travis Head This will be about control and patience for Maharaj against one of the most devastating batters of the last five years. Head has had his fun with SA in the One-Day format, but only played one Test series against them in 2022/23 when he made three half-centuries in four innings. His 92 on a green snake pit in Brisbane was good enough to earn him player of the match in a two-day affair. Maharaj will likely end up bowling many deliveries at him, and somehow needs to ensure Head's customary scoring rate doesn't take the game away from SA the way it did in Brisbane, and how it has done many times to teams recently, notably the last WTC final against India in 2023. Head was also player of the match then after scoring 163 off 174 balls.
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Stuart brings Broad insights to Proteas ahead of Lord's finale
Stuart Broad, in Proteas training kit — you'd never have thunk it. Not when he was irritating South African supporters, or dismissing their faves, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, more than any other bowler did with those two. Or sledging Graeme Smith or anyone else for that matter. But there Broad was on a muggy Monday afternoon at Lord's leading the chat in the Proteas bowling unit's traditional circle before training, embracing Dane Paterson, who played at his county Nottinghamshire for a couple of seasons, and talking with Kyle Verreynne, who plays for Nottinghamshire now. Generally he just looked like one of the training staff, which on Monday he was. South Africa are seeking any titbit to try to narrow the huge advantage the Australians have in terms of experience heading into the World Test Championship final that starts at Lord's on Wednesday. A taste of training at the Home of Cricket 🔥💪. We're 2 days away from the #WTC Final, and our Proteas are locked in and ready for the ultimate challenge. 🏏 #WTCFinal #WozaNawe #ProteasWTCFinal — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 9, 2025 At the invitation of Shukri Conrad, Broad on Sunday night shared his wisdom with Proteas coaching staff at dinner. 'The rib-eye was good,' Conrad chirped, 'I didn't consume any of the red wine for obvious reasons.' 'If I didn't call time with him at 10.30pm, I think he would still be there chatting with us. It was enlightening, very casual, everyone walked away from there thinking that was great, Broady included,' said Conrad. Later with the bowlers training on the side of the square, Broad had all the bowlers hanging off his every word, pointing to different areas of the storied old venue, indicating animatedly how a particular batter's balance might be affected when facing at each end because of the slope. The bowling unit is South Africa's strength. But there are many factors to consider when combining that unit for the final. It starts with how many SA will pick — four or as seems likely five, with Wiaan Mulder, offering the extra option because he can swing it. Then there's the conditions; the Lord's pitch according to the Australians is dry and will aid spin. Conrad didn't sound as convinced, but spoke of the importance of playing the spinner. Temba Bavuma reflects on his Test journey 🇿🇦. From the nerves of his debut to the defining moments that have shaped his career, it is a story of growth, resilience, and pride 🏏🔥. #WTCFinal #WozaNawe #ProteasWTCFinal — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 9, 2025 With Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen locked in and Keshav Maharaj having to play because it would be too much of a risk — even for the occasionally eccentric Conrad — not to, it leaves a straight fight between Lungi Ngidi and Paterson for the third front-line seamer. Conrad, who in the past hasn't been afraid of naming his starting team two days before the start of a Test, was tight-lipped on Monday. 'I'm not (in a position to name the side),' he said. Instead he offered a rounded answer about the ball — the Dukes one, used in England and not by either Australia or SA, who use the Kookaburra at home and for international matches in their respective countries — as another important factor to consider in selection. There's the importance of using it well when it's new, then when the lacquer, which is different between the two balls, starts to come off the Dukes, it swings more than the Kookaburra. 'You still need guys who are as effective with that ball when the lacquer comes off and it tends to swing a bit more. The bounce here with the older ball can be inconsistent and slower than what we are accustomed to.' Free State's relegation confirmed after mediation with CSA Free State will play in Division Two next season after a mediation process with Cricket SA ended on Wednesday night, with the union not incurring any ... Sport 3 days ago If swing is the dominant factor for SA's thinking, then Paterson, who's spent the last two months playing for Middlesex — making Lord's his home ground — wins the day. If the bounce is deemed more important — as was the case when Australia beat England in 2023 — then Ngidi will play. 'Those are conversations that have happened and we will structure the bowling attack accordingly,' said Conrad. Ngidi hasn't always been a favourite of Conrad's because he doesn't bowl as quickly as Conrad believes he should, coupled with concerns about his fitness. On the latter, Conrad said he was impressed by Ngidi's improvement in that area. Ngidi's last Test was in Trinidad last year and while he's been absent first with injury and then because he was put on a strength and conditioning programme, Paterson took the chance to claim two five-wicket hauls, while Rabada, Jansen and Maharaj, have continued to underline their class, which is demonstrated by all three being ranked in the top 20 Test bowlers currently. Broad may not be a selector, but it would be no surprise that if before ditching the Proteas training kit on Monday, he had one last word with Conrad, that may swing the head coach's thinking. It wouldn't be the weirdest basis for a selection Conrad's made.
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Sacrifices are the reason behind Annerie Dercksen's rapid rise, says batting coach Baakier Abrahams
Annerie Dercksen Annerie Dercksen was the mainstay in the Proteas Women batting effort against Sri Lanka. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix BARELY a year into her ODI career, South Africa's newest star – all-rounder Annerie Dercksen – has taken the cricket world by storm. Having impressed with raw pace with the ball and unmatched power with the bat, the 24-year-old has developed at an exponential rate over the past 10 months, as she is now one of the key figures in the Proteas Women squad. On the recent tour of Sri Lanka in the Tri-Series against the hosts and India last month, Dercksen finished as the leading run-scorer with 276 in four innings, including a maiden century and two half-centuries, as she displayed maturity despite being relatively new to the format. Batting coach Baakier Abrahams told Independent Media on Tuesday in an exclusive interview that Dercksen's rapid growth and maturity boil down to the sacrifices she continues to make in search of improvement. A message delivered. 📜 The Proteas Women are ready to conquer the Caribbean! 🇿🇦✈️🌴 Here's our squad for the West Indies T20Is & ODIs fixtures from 11 – 23 June 2025! 🏏#AlwaysRising #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt — Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) May 26, 2025 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. 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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. Next Stay Close ✕ Dercksen has travelled to the Eastern Cape to fine-tune her batting ahead of the West Indies tour, a migration that the right-handed batter had done last year before the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. 'As we speak, she's in Gqeberha again leading up to the West Indies series,' Abrahams said. 'She's got to take a lot of credit. The sacrifices she's making to one, train, two, how coachable she is, and three, how quickly she transfers what she's doing in training, and being brave enough mentally to then go and do it in the game... 'I think the century she made, she came in under pressure. 'That's probably the biggest thing walking in at number seven, to have the maturity to understand the game situation, yet still play her game in terms of what she's been training and the execution of skills. 'When you put the three parts together, that's probably the most pleasing component.' With Marizanne Kapp returning to the squad for next month's West Indies tour, having missed the Sri Lanka trop, many wondered how that would then impact the batting order and where Dercksen bats. However, Abrahams provided clarity, emphasising that the plan is for Dercksen to have the skills to bat anywhere from opening the innings to being lower down the order. 'The approach that we took when we came together, we committed to saying we want to be able for her to have a skill-set to bat anywhere between one and six, without attaching a number to her,' said Abrahams. 'Her ambition is to get into the top-order, but for me, anywhere between one to six is where we based her development and her skill-set on playing any of those roles.' While the young Dercksen forced her way into being a regular in the playing XI with her performances, youngsters Karabo Meso and Miané Smit are also on a similar mission. Meso, being a wicket-keeper batter, would have to unseat the experienced Sinalo Jafta to be a regular in the playing XI. Abrahams revealed that the competition between Meso and Jafta is healthy for the team. 'The nice part of it is that it's creating healthy competition, and whichever way coach Mandla (Mashimbyi) feels he wants to go, we're making sure that the players are all developed from a skill-set and the mindset point of view to fulfil the roles,' he said. 'Karabo and Sinalo have to fight it out. 'That's very good and healthy for the team and for the squad in terms of the development, where the team can go, reaching new heights and breaking records, which is what we want to do.' The women's team have three ODIs and three T20Is in the West Indies from June 11-23 as the World Cup looms.
TimesLIVE
14-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Proteas hope WTC final shows Test cricket is not just about the ‘big three'
Beyond winning the World Test Championship (WTC), South Africa's presence in the final should serve as a reminder for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to extend support for the format beyond England, India and Australia, says Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad. Citing results over the 'big three' recently, Conrad explained that the Test format remained relevant, but needed the ICC to provide honest backing so that the schedule wasn't dominated by the wealthiest nations. 'NZ won 3-0 in India, Sri Lanka won a Test in England, West Indies won a Test in Australia. Are they really the big three?,' Conrad wondered. 'I think we need strong Test cricket. Test cricket is the lifeblood of cricket around the world, The other formats rely on Test cricket, it is the shop window for a lot of players who want to make it in the other formats. Defining moments. Unshakable character. This is what Test cricket's all about 🏏. As we look to the battle that awaits, we acknowledge growth and reward perseverance 💪👏. This isn't just a squad; it's a statement of intent and a true reflection of grit 🇿🇦. #WTC25 #WozaNawe … — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) May 13, 2025 'I reckon the ICC needs to take it in hand, and ensure that the global Test game is looked after rather than the whims and fancies of a few nations.' The criticism the Proteas faced from the likes of Michael Vaughan — a former England captain — and Darren Lehmann — the former Australian player and later head coach — for qualifying for the WTC final, indicated not only a lack of understanding of the WTC format, but how little regard was given to teams outside the 'big three'. South Africa had to make do with two match Test series for most of the last cycle, and while CSA didn't help itself with the selection of a 'C team' for a tour to New Zealand, even that decision was indicative of the need for financial stability — something Test cricket, outside the 'big three', doesn't provide. 'If we are able to achieve (qualifying for WTC final) with the (limited) schedule we had, imagine what we can do with a packed schedule,' said Conrad. First ball, no grace😏☝️ Bosch talks us through the moment he took his first Test Match wicket for the Proteas on debut, while his family watched on from the stands in support!🤗 #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvPAK — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 27, 2024 'If that means we take our place at the main table and winning this shows we belong, then so be it. I've never felt that Test cricket should play second fiddle to the white ball game. It is a great chance to show South Africa and the world that the Proteas need to be taken seriously.' For a side that has grown accustomed to playing two match Test series the WTC final throws the Proteas a curveball they haven't faced since 2017. December that year was the last time they played a one-off Test, against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha, which was part of preparations for subsequent series against India and Australia. The Proteas' last Test was in January, and Australia's in February, making preparation tricky for the Lord's fixture which starts on June 11. The revised IPL schedule threw another spanner in the works, and Conrad's and CSA's insistence that the original deadline for the players to return to South Africa on May 26 is complied with, is understandable. Conrad wants the players to have a few days off with their families before jetting off to the UK on May 30. South Africa will also play a four-day match starting on June 3 — the same day as the IPL final. Temba Bavuma said his private discussions with IPL-contracted teammates left him confident that everyone's primary focus is the WTC final. 'It's quite warming and motivating to hear from guys at the IPL, who are going back (to India), asking how that will affect their preparation for the WTC final; it shows where the guys are at mentally.' After missing the four-day final with the Lions at the start of April because of an elbow injury, Bavuma said he was fully fit and mentally refreshed. 'I've started hitting balls and there is no discomfort. I had a nice break. Mentally and physically I'm in a good space,' he said. The match against Zimbabwe at Arundel will provide the players with an opportunity to create some red-ball rhythm ahead of Lord's. 'I'm not a big fan of practice games,' he said. 'It's an opportunity for those of us who haven't played red ball cricket to dust off the cobwebs, a chance for the bowlers to get time in their legs and batters to get accustomed to spending time in the middle. Personally you take what you can from it.'
India Today
13-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Watch: Temba Bavuma unveils South Africa's WTC 2025 Final squad in fiery video
South Africa unveiled their World Test Championship final squad on Tuesday, May 13 with captain Temba Bavuma revealing the names of the 15 players in a fiery video on social media. The Proteas will take on Australia in their first-ever appearance in the WTC final, which is scheduled to be played at the iconic Lord's in London between June 11 and is the squad that carries our hopes," Temba Bavuma said in the Ngidi will add firepower to an already power-packed fast-bowling line-up, which has the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Dane Paterson, Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch. Ngidi last played for South Africa in October 2024, but the pacer has rerturned to peak fitness and was recently part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad in IPL 2025. Apart from captain Bavuma, there's plenty of experience in the batting unit, which has the likes of Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham. Kyle Verreyne has been picked as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the summit moments. Unshakable character. This is what Test cricket's all about .As we look to the battle that awaits, we acknowledge growth and reward perseverance .This isn't just a squad; it's a statement of intent and a true reflection of grit .#WTC25 #WozaNawe Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) May 13, 2025advertisementSouth Africa have picked two spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthuswamy for the final in London."A key part of our success has been consistency in selection, and we've stuck with the core group of players who have been part of this WTC cycle. We've selected a balanced squad for the conditions we expect at Lord's," coach Shukri Conrad said while announcing the squad.'I'm particularly pleased to welcome Lungi back in the side. He's put in the work and offers us an experienced option with the ball.'Earlier in the day, Australia announced their 15-man squad, confirming the return of all-rounder Cameron Green and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood to the Africa Squad for WTC 2025 Final Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson
