Your Time's Up, No. 69

[Paoli]

After World Cup 2003, South Africa sprung wholesale changes to their team. Zondeki, Langeveldt and McKenzie were dropped. Rhodes, Kirsten and Donald retired, and Pollock was stripped of his captaincy.

Lance Klusener was another one dropped, and was on the end of a barrage of abuse from Captain Graeme Smith. Why did Smithy need to do this??? I bet he didn't know "Zulu" was going to work his way back to the national side for the tour of England later that year. But Zulu did, fighting back with that dogged spirit that we love, never hanging up the gloves until the fight has been given an official result. Zulu and Graeme patched up their differences, in public at least. Klusener played some consistent cricket and became a semi-regular of the ODI team, and by the end of 2003 was back where he was at the height of his cricketing powers, batting at No.6 and bowling first change, striking fear into opposition cricketers.

In 2004, Zulu worked his way back into the test side and had an average game, not bad but not great. After the Champions Trophy, Zulu has not been re-selected for the South African side. At 33, with no other inform allrounder, is this a risk that the UCB should take...Kemp has shown glimpses with the bat but has been found wanting with the ball...Hall has been patchy, never shining with both the willow and the ball in the same match.

So, the big question remains....Does Zulu still have anything left to offer at this level??? Or after the 13 man contracts were given out, which incidentally Zulu did not feature in, have South Africa had enough of his supposed larger-than-the team antics??? Either way, when the ODI squad for the series in the Windies is going to be named, will Zulu be selected for one final dig at the big time....Or will Haroon Lorgat, convenor of selectors, summon him to his office, and say, "Your Time's Up, Number 69"???

[Zainub]

I was convinced his times were coming to an end the day the whole controversy between him and Smith started. With Graeme as skipper I just can't see Klusner having a sustained run in the side, something gives me the feel Smith is more of a Kemp fan

[Teatime FatCat]

I think he had his time, his last few performances were pretty average, and he didn't offer much hope with the ball. With SA chock full of psuedo all-rounders (Hall, Boucher, Pollock, de Villiers and Boje) and also blessed in the seam dept (Steyn, All Hands, Langveldt, Nel etc) I can't see why a 33 yr old medium pacer would be needed.

[oracle]

I also personally think Lance's time is up ,Kemp's the new guy up to Bat and he is one of best one day hitters in the game ( this guy hits the ball a long long way to say the least ) but I dont see him as a test player !

[John]

I suppose its thanks for the memories Lance.
Not many people can boast they won man of the World cup.

[oracle]

at 33 I think it's time go in a good way and save his respect , not keep trucking till his game has !@#!!!

[Paoli]

Although I'm not South African cricket's biggest follower, I still reckon Zulu has 2007 left in him....He didn't play all that badly in his last ODI...

[Teatime FatCat]

But that's the point, he didn't play badly, but also he didn't play well. He's lost his pace and economy when he bowls, and SA have younger, fitter men to do the job. He's been a great servant to SA cricket, and should be remembered fondly, but I feel that at the moment, many other players offer more than him.

I'll offer you something - Klusener to coach the SA U19's? That would be a brilliant move.

[basikdesign]

hi im new guys!
lance klusener would hav been a precious asset in the west indies with his cutters and other variations ,but due to the fact that we hav 1 of the worst captains ever ,klusener will probably neva be back!
u cant question his work rate,look at how much fitter he is these days after the UCB told him he was overweight and unfit!
the SA game is pathetic at the moment,jaques KAllis bowls 7 overs on the trott goin at 8 an over?what captain does that?

[Zainub]

Welcome to the board Basikdesign. And to the Graeme Smith Non-Appreciation Society