South Africa's VB Series Batting Line up

[NTC187]

After watching another dissapointing loss to the Aussies (I'm a NZ'er living in Australia, so I love to see the Aussies lose) it seems to me that the South Africans are struggling to find a productive batting line up, so what do you think would be their best line up right at this moment against Australia & Sri Lanka? I'd personally like to see the line up like this:

1. Boeta Dippenaar
2. Herschelle Gibbs
3. Graeme Smith
4. Mark Boucher
5. Ashwell Prince
6. Sean Pollock
7. Justin Kemp
8. Johan Botha
9. Andre Hall
10. Johan va der Wath
11. Charl Langeveldt
12. Monde Zondeki (Super Sub)

They need to get Rudolph out of there, the guy is a test batsman and seems to play a test innings in the ODI's too, I also moved Boucher & Pollock up, as they're the most aggressive batsmen for SA, and they need to utilize them more than they do, right now they take 30 overs to reach 100, then expect those 2 to blast the next 20 overs for a furthur 150-200 runs, which is just insane. I also have them there to take advantage of the power plays. Also added Zondeki as the super sub to bring in another bowler.

So what do you think of that line up? What line up would you like to see at this current stage? (considering the players who are currentley match fit)

[John]

The first thing to say there is not that much class there. No matter what way you do the order you need class batsmen. Thats why we need Kallis. Can you imagine people were critcising Kallis for his slow batting! They would have point if SA had more class batting in the side.
As for changing the order maybe its worth Smith moving down to 5. Dippenar to open with Rudolp and Gibbs to come in at 3.

I think you will have to wait a while to celebrate an Australian loss because SA and Sri Lanka don't look like doing it.

[Vrock]

I think Boucher should move up the order for ODI's. He is playing well at the moment and is a very nudger of the ball, I think he can utilize the time when there is a stalemate in the batting. I think Smith should move down and let either Rudolph or Gibbs to open, dependant upon whether you are setting out to be defensive/aggresive to start with.

[NTC187]

Yeah I want to at least see Boucher & Pollock come in at 1 & 2, South Africa just arnt utilizing the fielding restrictions and they're the 2 players for SA that are willing to have a hit.

[John]

Interesting idea. Maybe worth trying against Sri Lanka but against Australia definitely not.
As I say the quality batting just isn't there. Lets face it any current batting order would have its hands full against Australia in Australia. Not even the likes of India and Pakistan would find it a breeze at the moment.
So it certainly not time to panic and call for heads to roll. SA can hold its own with a number of One day sides and until we have got better batsmen we will struggle against the top sides.

[Vrock]

Could Pollock survive against Lee bowling at 90mph+ and the ball swinging? I think he would be gifting a wicket to a side with his aggresive nature. Opening with Boucher could work I feel, he is in good batting form and it can't hurt to try something new.

[John]

Thats why I said against Sri Lanka its worth a try but not Australia.
Against the Aussies you have got to have a good bowling attack yourself. Niether SA or Sri Lanka have this. So without a good bowling attack the batsmen are always going to be under pressure. So its not soley the batting that is to blame. Its that the likes of SA have got problems in both.
So SA supporters will have to accept for the moment that there are problems with the current side but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try different batting and bowling orders.

[NTC187]

Originally Posted by Vrock7

Could Pollock survive against Lee bowling at 90mph+ and the ball swinging? I think he would be gifting a wicket to a side with his aggresive nature. Opening with Boucher could work I feel, he is in good batting form and it can't hurt to try something new.

Well he usually has to come in around the time Lee is starting his second or third spell and I've seen him take to Lee over the ropes a few times, so he can handle the speed, I have no doubt he could handle the swing, so long as he got settled in first. The South Africans are gifting the Australians 2 or 3 quick wickets with their current batting order, so they have nothing to lose really.

I dont think its fair to say SA hasnt got a good bowling attack, they had Australia at 7/73 or somthing in their second game and that was with all of their back up bowlers playing (with the exception of Pollock), and both SA & Sri Lanka have had Australia on the ropes a few times this series with their bowling, I think the problem with South Africa is their backup bowlers get put away for a boundary or a few runs, then they try to do too much and end up bowling all over the place, unlike Pollock who bowls a consitant line and length all the time, thats all they need to do.

[darksideofthemoon]

I would definitely leave out Rudolph and Prince (keep them for Tests) and have Kallis and AB de Villiers in their place.

[NTC187]

I dont know why you guys are against doing it against the Aussies either, thats who they need to try it against, they had those last 2 games to try somthing with nothing to lose, so why not go for it? They did do a bit of what I said, they moved Boucher up to 4, and he made 76. And van der Wath proved he is capable of going out and making quick runs by slogging the Aussies all over the park towards the end there.