CricketZA

Our fast bowlers have been unlucky with injuries in the recent past, but we should see all three of Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada start together at some point this summer, hopefully before the Test series against Sri Lanka. Rabada and Nortje have been excellent with Delhi Capitals in the IPL, while Ngidi has struggled at CSK but remains an amazing One-Day prospect with his death bowling abilities. Beuran Hendricks has looked good in some innings and brings much-needed variety to the pace battery. Junior Dala might not get as many chances as he’d like, but it’s a long summer and he has shown some potential in is international career so far. Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorius will be competing for one spot, but some squad rotation should see both get a chance in this series. Glenton Stuurman has received his first call-up but will have to wait since Lutho Sipamla is also part of this large squad.

It is still strange to see de Kock leading the side, but he might just be the right person to lead the team as rebuild. His opening partnership with Bavuma has looked good so far, with both batsmen scoring briskly and running well between the wickets. Janneman Malan is off to a good start in his ODI career. He is likely to open with de Kock, with Bavuma fitting in at 3. Heinrich Klaasen was magnificent against Australia and will find a place in the lower middle order. Jon-Jon Smuts was frustrating all summer but finally got going towards the end, pulling off a good win over Australia. Kyle Verreynne should complete what looks like our most solid middle order in years. It was disappointing to see David Miller barely play in the IPL, but he will be raring to go. We obviously rate him. Rassie van der Dussen has been outstanding so far, averaging a casual 70 in ODIs. Pite van Biljon has also retained his place in the squad. Reeza Hendricks is back (yay) but might not make it to the XI right away, considering he is statistically the worst batsman in the side.

Imran Tahir’s ODI retirement and notable absence from the T20 squad means that the frontline spinner’s position is still up for grabs. All of Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, Bjorn Foruin and George Linde have been named in both squads. Shamsi is probably the front-runner but is underwhelming on the field and with the bat. George Linde contributes more with the bat and was superb for the Cobras this week. He has played one test so far and is a good shout across all formats. He will be competing with Bjorn Fortuin, another left arm orthodox all-rounder and the youngest of the lot. Linde is better with the bat, Fortuin is more economical. Finally, Keshav Maharaj has been in and out of the limited overs squads but looks unlikely to take Fortuin’s place in the XI. Jon-Jon Smuts can bowl a full quota of overs but is the 4^th left arm orthodox option in the squad!

On the other hand, while it's only Victor Mpitsang's first series since taking over as convener as selectors, leaving out Sisanda Magala and Aiden Markram and retaining Dala and Smuts is bizarre.

England have played more cricket recently, and other than the Proteas involved in the IPL, our only preparation so far has been the first round of the franchise series and that 3TC atrocity earlier this year. There’s a big mess at CSA to go with that, but we try to remain optimistic.

MILLER TIME NEARS CLOSING TIME? THE FALL OF DAVID MILLER IN THE IPL IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS 

And this seems to be the problem. Too many people have married his IPL struggles with his Protea career and decided he needs to be dropped for his IPL form. Now, I understand that players do need to prove form, and as such, the IPL remains a huge part of that, but Miller's IPL struggles are not his Protea struggles and the two should, to sensible degree, still be separated.

For one, while you could argue Miller has not had a single good year in the last five IPL seasons, his Protea work has been, for the most part, outstanding. His average has been better than 30 four times in the last six years, and his strike rate has exceeded 130 the same amount. Last year, he averaged 39, had a strike rate of 160, won a man of the series, and captained a team for the first time. Hardly the actions or performance of a man in an irreversible decline. Indeed, a contrast in his IPL and Protea form over the last five years seems to indicate that, in Proteas colours at least, Miller has not lost a step. 

IN CONTRAST: DAVID MILLER'S PERFORMANCES IN IPL AND PROTEA COLOURS 2016-2020

 That strike rate is the best in Protea colours of all players with over 250 runs in that period, and the average is only just below the likes of Quinton de Kock. It's easy to combine separate events and come to incorrect conclusions, we do it all the time. But the reality is Miller is going to have to be an important part of the dialogue if South Africa's T20 side is to move forward. It's always Miller time in Protealand