AB de Villiers has released a single, with Karen Zoid and the Ndlovu Youth Choir.
The music video features cameos from Virat Kohli, Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn, among others. Enjoy
AB de Villiers has released a single, with Karen Zoid and the Ndlovu Youth Choir.
The music video features cameos from Virat Kohli, Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn, among others. Enjoy
|
|
|
IPL |
T20 |
matches |
166 |
78 |
Runs |
4734 |
1672 |
average |
40.46 |
26.12 |
Strike rate |
152.51 |
135.17 |
100s |
3 |
0 |
|
Overall record in T20 internationals |
Record in World T20s |
Record vs Netherlands, Afghanistan, Scotland |
Record vs the Rest of the World |
matches |
78 |
30 |
4 |
26 |
Runs |
1672 |
717 |
181 |
536 |
average |
26.12 |
29.87 |
60.33 |
25.52 |
Strike rate |
135.17 |
143.4 |
172.4 |
134.34 |
100s |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
South Africa |
IPL |
Matches |
24 |
30 |
Wickets |
30 |
54 |
Economy rate |
8.62 |
8.13 |
Average |
25.4 |
17.5 |
Wickets per game |
1.25 |
1.8 |
|
South Africa |
IPL |
Matches |
23 |
68 |
Wickets |
34 |
80 |
Economy rate |
8.4 |
7.78 |
Average |
20.5 |
23.51 |
Wickets per game |
1.47 |
1.17 |
Runs |
133 |
548 |
Average |
14.78 |
26.1 |
Strike rate |
130 |
159.77 |
50s |
1 |
2 |
That was then, however. The biggest mistake a team can make is to be married to the past. Someone once said, "The past is a wonderful place, but you can't live there". We live in the present, and at present, continuing to persist with Steyn would be a mistake. Since the clock struck midnight on the 31st of December 2014, Steyn has provided a steady diet of average to below average T20 cricket. Even now, as we speak, he can't get a game consistently for the Royal Challengers Bangalore; traditionally the worst bowling line-up in all IPLs. From 2015 until his last game for the Proteas a few months ago, Steyn has taken nine wickets at an average of 33 and an economy rate of 8.96. If we are to take the fast bowlers in a World T20 tournament to be Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Anrich Nortje, and then two all-rounder slots for Chris Morris and Andile Phehlukwayo, Dale Steyn has the worst economy rate. He's also less likely to take a wicket than any of the men in front of him. Defenders of the continued Dale Steyn selection party would no doubt point to the fact that he has played very little T20 cricket internationally. This is true, but there are two issues with this line of thinking. Firstly, if you try include his IPL numbers, the reading does not get any better. From 2015-2020, Steyn has conceded runs at 9.43 runs to the over in the IPL. This is, to quote the cool kids, very bad. Secondly, even his IPL numbers don't really flesh out his games played, because he has only played 11 games in the IPL the last five editions. Which leads us to issue number two. Availability. They say ability is the best kind of ability, and Steyn has not been available for the last two world cricket tournaments, as he was plagued with injury. Clearly, he has also not really been available for the IPL, which is an annual tournament. Can we really afford to pick a player who hasn't really been healthy in five years, and when he has been, has not performed particularly well?
Cricket South Africa has revealed the fixture slate for the 2020/2021 season. The season promises to be a jam-packed one with England, Sri Lanka, Australia and Pakistan all slated to tour South Africa, while South Africa has a potentially historic tour to Pakistan on the horizon following the home stand. South Africa have not toured Pakistan since 2007. The biggest shock of the fixture list sees the New Year's Test match, long the fiefdom of the Newlands Cricket stadium, being hosted by the Wanderers Cricket Stadium as CSA attempt to minimize travel.
“We are delighted to announce the schedule of men’s international cricket for the home season,” commented CSA Acting CEO, Kugandrie Govender. “It is an absolute pleasure to deliver more good news for our cricket-loving fans to consume, following last week’s confirmed tour against England and domestic season launch.
“The COVID-19 pandemic predictably forced many changes to the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) and the traditional sequencing of scheduling matches in South Africa this season. This is why I am particularly proud of today’s announcement. It comes as a result of many hours of dedication, negotiation and hard work by individuals behind the scenes to ensure that our fans have an exciting line-up of cricket to look forward to throughout the summer and, although the matches will be played behind closed doors, we will have enough entertainment to make them feel as though they are a part of match-day activities.
“It is an important season for all of the formats of our beautiful game, with players having a lot to play for no matter the team they are selected in. The KFC T20 internationals will provide important preparation and a platform for selectors to monitor South Africa’s best ahead of the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in October and November in India. The Betway ODI series presented by Momentum will play a vital part in our team’s chances of direct qualification for the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and the Betway Test series will offer a home ground advantage as our team looks to make headway in the ICC Test Championship points table.
“All of this, while we continue to investigate the possibility of a historic return to Pakistan in the near future.
“Finally, I would like to express my gratitude and thanks on behalf of CSA, to the boards of England, Sri Lanka, Australia and Pakistan for their agreement to these tours and assisting us in bringing the beautiful game to the South African public under the ‘new normal’ that COVID-19 has presented us. I am certain that we will be thoroughly entertained by very competitive displays of cricket,” Ms. Govender concluded.
England men’s Tour to South Africa
Friday, 27 November at 18:00 SAST:
1st KFC T20I South Africa v England, Newlands, Cape Town
Sunday, 29 November at 14:30 SAST:
2nd KFC T20I South Africa v England, Boland Park, Paarl
Tuesday, 01 December at 18:00 SAST:
3rd KFC T20I South Africa v England, Newlands, Cape Town
Friday, 04 December at 13:00 SAST:
1st Betway ODI presented by Momentum (CWCSL) South Africa v England, Newlands, Cape Town
Sunday, 06 December at 10:00 SAST:
2nd Betway ODI presented by Momentum (CWCSL): South Africa v England, Boland Park, Paarl
Wednesday, 09 December at 13:00 SAST:
3rd Betway ODI presented by Momentum (CWCSL): South Africa v England, Newlands, Cape Town
Sri Lanka men’s Tour to South Africa
Saturday, 26-30 December 2020 at 10:00 SAST:
1st Betway Test match (WTC) South Africa v Sri Lanka, SuperSport Park, Centurion
Sunday, 03-07 January 2021 at 10:00 SAST:
2nd Betway Test match (WTC) South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg