who should keep

[flanflinger]

Although Tsolekile did a great job behind teh stumps, frankly at No 9 he did not really help the team during the first test. There is a thought process to get DeVillers behind the stumps and I understood that that may be a long term plan. But of coures there is always Boucher.

So if you were Ray Jennings who would you want behind the stumps.

[Zainub]

I'm a little bit in two minds really, I was hugely impressed with De Viller's batting, and I'd hate to not see him get more games, he looked very promising. I have no idea about his keeping though.

[imaginarydiva]

Boucher all the way.

[R W S]

Give Tsolekile a break! The guy didnt drop a thing, fumble a fielders throw, concede a bye or shut the heck up during all the time he was in the field. He went to the same school as Kallis and broke all his school records. SA are in transition - and if that means going one step back to go two forward so be it. Batting at No.9 he isnt expected to make more than 10-20 each innings.

The English have had a big debate on having Read at 8/9 and relying on the top order to do the run gathering or go with GoJones at 7 and accept he's not the best gloveman.

Although bringing back an out of form 'Iron Gloves' Boucher may strengthen the batting - may, mind, it would be better to look at strengthening 6/7/8. And as for Givng AB de Villiers the gloves - well at this level that's a non-starter, he needs to be tried in ODIs first.

[Andy Mellon]

It makes you wish for Dave Richardson really, doesn't it! I'd like to see de Villiers given a chance in ODIs and I don't think that either Boucher or Tsolekile are really long term solutions to the Saffers wicket keeping problems. Boucher isn't good enough behind the sticks any more, and unless Tsolekile improves with the bat, I reckon that Jennings will be ruthless and drop him for someone guarenteed to score more. Its exactly the same situation as faced by Chris Read!

[Paoli]

Originally Posted by R W S

Give Tsolekile a break! The guy didnt drop a thing, fumble a fielders throw, concede a bye or shut the heck up during all the time he was in the field. He went to the same school as Kallis and broke all his school records. SA are in transition - and if that means going one step back to go two forward so be it. Batting at No.9 he isnt expected to make more than 10-20 each innings.

Although bringing back an out of form 'Iron Gloves' Boucher may strengthen the batting - may, mind, it would be better to look at strengthening 6/7/8. And as for Givng AB de Villiers the gloves - well at this level that's a non-starter, he needs to be tried in ODIs first.

Tsolekile, frankly, is not international material. He is talented, fair enough- but extremely raw...Bouch was at one stage considered the best keeper in the world behind Gilchrist. And how you drop a vice captain I don't know. I think Bouch is definetely a long term keeper for South Africa. Also, wicketkeepers need to bat these days. You cant just be a good keeper and get into the side. We see that with the likes of Dravid, McCullum, Sangakarra, who started out as batsman.

[imaginarydiva]

So true!You read my mind.Boucher is definitely way ahead of the rest of the contendors.

[Paoli]

I guess my point has been heard...Tsolekile out, Gibbs in, De Villiers to keep...still i think Bouch should've played....Also, you have to remember, Gilchrist aint exactly a great gloveman, so excuse Bouch if he lets one or two slip

[R W S]

Neil Manthorp - best and worst of 2004


The Best
The form of Jacques Kallis, who started the year in the middle of five consecutive Test centuries (two were at the tailend of 2003) and finished it with two more centuries in three matches: one at Eden Gardens and the next, probably the best of his 18 to date, a magnificent 164 against England in the Boxing Day Test at Kingsmead. He averaged 90 in 11 Tests. Awesome.

The Worst
United Cricket Board president Ray Mali unilaterally vetoing, twice, the unanimous decision of the four-man selection panel to recall Mark Boucher as wicketkeeper for the home series against England. The last time such a flagrantly political decision was made, the ramifications from Justin Ontong's enforced inclusion ahead of Jacques Rudolph were still being felt two years later. South African administrators have learned nothing in the interim.

Neil Manthorp is a sports journalist based in South Africa and is a partner in the MWP Sports Agency.

[Paoli]

Funny thing about the Quota system, is that Mandela definetely wouldn't have enforced it. Mandela would want players selected on merit. Usually decisions like RSA's quota system are pressured by the government. I believe there are two coloured players in the side who deserve a spot, Ntini and Gibbs. Ontong or Tsolekile shouldn't have been in.

As for the gloves, you couldn't fault AB De-Villiers on his form against England and therefore Bouch shouldn't come in yet. However, by the end of the series, they could be calling for Bouch to be back.