Changes to take immeadite effect (suggestions)

[John]

1. Pollock to retire from Test match cricket. Maybe one more Test for his hundredth.
2. Kallis to open the batting in both Test and one day.
3.Young bowlers to be given a run in the side.
4.Smith to bat at 5.

[Andy Mellon]

I know Smith hasn't been playing well as opener, but I don't think moving Kallis to open would be the best of ideas. Kallis is the one classy player whose form has not taken a big hit of late. Keep him where he is as there's too much of an element of risk with him opening the batting that he'll lose his form. Smith down to 5 sounds a decent idea, but I would look for a new opener. South Africa could do with a 'Mark Richardson' type opener to stick there and stick there. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about the options available in Saf. Time for a WAT South Africa A Team thread?!?

As for your other points - it seems a bit harsh on Pollock to drop him, and honestly - is there anyone who can provide a decent replacement? I'm guessing the only real like-for-like swap is Andrew Hall. Now, I rate Hall highly, but I don't think the Saf selectors do from all the chopping and changing around the order that he suffers from. From a report I read in NZ, one of the states (Easterns?) has a really fast 'Ntini' style bowler - I'm guessing he could come in, but I doubt he can bat!!

[Vrock]

Pollock is still offering a line and length style of bowling to the attack, he can still take a few wickets but goes for very few runs. If you have Makhaya Ntini going at more than four per over as he was against Australia then you need someone going at less than two; Pollock is the perfect bowler for this role.

Kallis opening the batting; I ditto everything Andy has said, putting the one guy on form at the top of the order risks him against the new ball and getting out early. Where would this leave South Africa?

New young bowlers coming in would be a good idea, I think Andre Nel isn't looking too great so there may be a chance for someone to come in. The only problem is Kallis takes up a bowlers spot, or at least two thirds, (sometimes he bowls less overs). If Kallis was not playing there would be more birth available.

Smith batting lower certainly makes sense, he is clearly not batting well at the moment and needs to be able to hit the ball when it's not doing lots. This could really bring himself back into contention for a rank among the best in world. A replacement certainly looks good in the form of Boeta Dippenaar, he looks good in ODI's and a lengthened run in the side would do him good IMO.

[John]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

I know Smith hasn't been playing well as opener, but I don't think moving Kallis to open would be the best of ideas. Kallis is the one classy player whose form has not taken a big hit of late. Keep him where he is as there's too much of an element of risk with him opening the batting that he'll lose his form. Smith down to 5 sounds a decent idea, but I would look for a new opener.

Point taken but I think it is worth a try. If Kallis can get rid of the new ball and provide half a decent start maybe the other players can build on that. I mean it isn't helpful being three wickets down after 15- 20 overs. If Kallis can do well as an opener it might strengthen the batting lineup.
Getting rid of Pollock is a good move its time to move on.

[greg]

1, I would still keep Pollock in the side as the workhorse who can tie an end up.No point in having a whole team of bowlers going at 4 an over plus.One thing i would do though is find a different new ball bowler to partner Ntini as Pollock lacks penetration and you need to make use of the ball when it is still hard.

2, I wouldn't open with Kallis but he would make a good number 3.

3, Sounds a good idea.Just don't go back to Langeveldt as he isn't good enough.

4, Possibly.Gibbs could open with de Villiers and then you wouldn't have Smith getting out cheaply to the swinging new ball.

[John]

To me Kallis is prime for opening. He is watchful, his technique is sound. Who knows it might work.
Pollock is going to retire sooner rather than later anyway, he offers little to the these days. Once a great bowler his recent performances make look like someone out of his depth in Test cricket. His batting hasn't developed to replace his faltering bowling. His career has been excellent but now the youngsters must come in to get experience at Test cricket. And our memories should not be of Pollock whose mind may have been willing but his body not.

[Vrock]

If the ball is swinging and/or seaming and Kallis gets out very early on. (It is quite possible against quality opposition even though Kallis is as good as he is at defensive shots) Then the rest of the batting order have no-one who has such a good ability to stay at the crease for long periods of time. The risk IMO would be too great in having Kallis open the batting.

[Rachael]

As I recall.... Boycott used to reckon that you should put your best players to the top of the order... and that anyone wanting to be considered for a Test place ought to make that case by opening for their county and facing the best county bowlers when they have the new ball in their hands.

The flip side is obviously that no 4 is widely regarded as the most pivotal position in any batting order.... as that's where you need the player most capable of changing the course of a game.... well away from the firing line in the opening overs (though early enough to stop the rot if two early wickets go down)... but early enough in the order to ensure adequate support and take the game away from the opposition.

My own inclination would be to use Kallis in between these two positions, in Dravid's role at 3... in the Barrington role... because that will require him to all but open more often than not (as one or other opener is unlikely to see through the first spells in any given match) but leave the no 4 spot available to someone more inclined to stamp their mark on an innings.

I'd be inclined to try Rudolph at 4, Gibbs at 5 and Pollock at 6, ahead of Boucher at 7... with Boje at 8... then Nel, Ntini and Langveldt. Puts a lot of pressure on Rudolph... but I still rate him as the best SA player of his generation and as hugely promising.

Pollock? Could have batted at 5 if he'd focussed on batting instead of bowling: would respond to the responsibility.

[Paoli]

Originally Posted by John

1. Pollock to retire from Test match cricket. Maybe one more Test for his hundredth.

Only reason I say keep him is because he is in the best three you've got.

Originally Posted by John

2. Kallis to open the batting in both Test and one day.

Absolutely not. Kallis is the key man at No.4 and should stay there. In any case have Dippennaar and de Villiers.

Originally Posted by John

3.Young bowlers to be given a run in the side..

Who've you got?

Originally Posted by John

4.Smith to bat at 5.

Three I say. Back to where he first was.

[oracle]

I'd like to see how the current setup works against a team like New Zealand. Aus where just to good for South Africa these last few months !