Amla dropped - about time

[butchering lee]

I am ALL for giving people a run in tests and 15 tests is a run. An average of 25 for a number 3 batsman after 15 tests is unacceptable imo. time to drop Amla and bring back someone who though not class, imo again, is far more trustworthy - Rudolph.

[greg]

Rudolph has signed for Yorkshire as a Kolpak so he won't be returning for a couple of years at least as Rudolph is obviously going to earn more playing county cricket than he would if he played for South Africa.

Pathetic i know but that is the way players are going now.

As for Amla,never seen anything in him for to think he is an international cricketer.

[John]

Rudolp had his chance didn't do that well did better than Amla I admit.
Maybe its time to pass the place onto someone else. Amla has had ample time to prove himself he has been seen to be given a good chance which is all for the good given the politics.

[Zainub]

He contributed an 80 odd in a match winning partnership in the first innings of the previous test, and yes, he's had three ugly dismissals since (granted one or two against some pretty good balls), but he's still looked better then some other players, like for instance, Smith, whose innings today must have been his first proper score in ages, no? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[butchering lee]

Originally Posted by Zainub

but he's still looked better then some other players, like for instance, Smith, whose innings today must have been his first proper score in ages, no? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Unlike most folk - i have a lot of time for smith. He has flaws - many in fact - but after 50 odd matches his average is still around 50 (i know it's dropped drastically since his magnificent start in England cos i've argued that case when stating my own case for his removal not all that long ago) and he's in a difficult job. The other thing about smith is that when he does well, SA do well, he does seem to me to win matches. Still, you have a point but ultimately in the last 15 tests smith averages 36 - not great, but just about acceptable - Amla maintains his 24/5 ave.

Rudolph was a disappointment but was a lot more consistent. Who else is there?

I would love to see Amla get it right but where do you draw the line - 15 tests generally means 30 innings for a number 4 batsman. I'm afraid, for me, he should be "let go" but as long as they're winning i guess it would be nice to just give him a little longer to make his mark. Those NZ tests seem a long time ago

[flanflinger]

I have never rated Amla, from the first match I saw him play, I was astounded by how ugly his technique was. When he first played against England I described him as a walking wicket.

But you could not replace him with Rudolph, because he has taken the Kolpak route (and despite claims that he wants to regain his place) and is therefore unable to play for South Africa.

But as Greg pointed out, the Kolpak issue is not just a negative for England, it is terrible for countries like South Africa and now the West Indies (Cricinfo - Pedro Collins signs for Surrey) because players have to commit to not play for their national side.

For me we should punish English counties (financially) based on the Test handout (the more English Qualified players, the larger the % of the Test receipts) this will be better for England, and better for the other nations that are losing their players via this terrible ruling.

[darksideofthemoon]

I also never rated Amla. I would like Neil McKenzie to play.

[butchering lee]

Originally Posted by darksideofthemoon

I also never rated Amla. I would like Neil McKenzie to play.

He'd have been my first choice actually - you may be being toungue-in-cheek - but he was always out of favour. Anyone else? (no dippenaar for me i'm afriad)

[darksideofthemoon]

Originally Posted by butchering lee

He'd have been my first choice actually - you may be being toungue-in-cheek - but he was always out of favour. Anyone else? (no dippenaar for me i'm afriad)

No I like McKenzie and I also think Martin van Jaarsveld should have been in the team years ago but it is too late now.
I generally liked all the old Northern Titans players and thought Kruger van Wyk was the best South African keeper I had seen.

[butchering lee]

I'm sure van Jaarsveld was given a go and was not impressive - of course one needs to clarify what "a go" is. The management of the SA team has, at times (though not always), been shoddy. i thought he'd do well too.

actually, i've quickly checked - 9 tests is ot much of a run and still better than Amla.