Hi guys,

Finally, I've managed to get my **** in gear and have lined up some interviews with the South Africans we picked for our A team. The players in line so far (thanks to Dolphins, Cape Cobras and the Diamond Eagles) are:

Davy Jacobs
Mornè van Wyk
Thandi Tshabalala
JJ van der Wath
Monde Zondeki
Hashim Amla

Now, there's some big names in here, and I'm sure there'll be quite a few questions for them - so please let me know what YOU'D like to know as soon as possible - we don't want to keep them waiting!!

Fantastic! Well done Andy. We'll try and come up with some questions ASAP. Thanks for organizing this. Hope we can come up with some decent questions. Is the Quota system off limits?

Generic Questions

Q1. How were you first introduced to cricket, and what about the game got you hooked?
Q2. What hobbies/sports do you get up to when not playing or training for cricket?
Q3. Who are your favourite cricketers of all time, and which cricketer do you think influenced your own style the most?
Q4. What advice would you give to youngsters to encourage them to take up cricket?
Q5. What has been your own personal highlight from your career so far?
Q6. What are your views on 20:20 cricket, and do you think there is sufficient cricket played at the state level in New Zealand?
Q7. Who has been the greatest influence on your cricket career?
Q8.Are there any young players around that you are aware of that could be knocking on the door for Test selection in the future?
Q9. What is your nickname, and how did you get it?
Q10. If you were given the opportunity, what would you change in order to improve the standard of state cricket?
Q11. How much would playing for a South Africa 'A' Team mean to you? Do you see the 'A' team as a stepping stone to full honours, or as a side-show detracting from State and full international cricket?
Q12. What are your opinions on the Quota System in South Africa, and what are your views on South African cricketers seeking to further their opportunities abroad
Q13. What are your views on South Africans opting to withdraw their eligibility for playing for South Africa to take up 'Kolpak' deals for money in the UK?
Q14. What's been the most difficult obstacle to overcome in your cricket career?

Specific Questions

Davy Jacobs - (1) How useful did you find the experience of playing in the Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand in 2002?
Mornè van Wyk - (1) How did you find the experience of playing against England at Lords for your full international debut?
(2) Do you relish the challenge of keeping wicket as well as playing a key role in the Eagles' batting line up. Would you prefer to focus more on your batting?
Thandi Tshabalala: (1) There's talk of you earning a call-up to the South African team to solve the perceived spin bowling problems; are you anxious to make your debut as soon as possible, or would you prefer to be given some more time to gain experience in the domestic game?
JJ van der Wath (1) Do you see yourself more as a natural batsman or bowler? Which do you spend more time on? (2) How valuable did you find your time playing for Sussex in England? (3) How do you see yourself within the SA setup? Will you probably be just an ODI player rather than a test player, and what do you think you have to do to become a test player?
Monde Zondeki (1) You have been in-and-out of the South African test team since your debut, and you've played some valuable roles in that time - what did you enjoy more, your 50 against England or the 6 wickets you took against Zimbabwe? (2) What do you feel you need to do to secure a more permanent role in the test team?
Hashim Amla (1) How did you cope with the pressure after becoming the Dolphins' captain at only 21? (2) You experienced a difficult series against England in 2005. What, if anything, did you learn from that which helped you score so spectacularly in your comeback against New Zealand this year? (3) Do you feel that being labelled as "The first South African of Indian descent to play for South Africa" put more pressure on you to perform? (4) How did you feel after scoring your first double century in the Provincial Final in 2005, but still not winning the match outright? Did you feel delighted personally with the innings, or disappointed as captain not to have won?

Great work Andy. There's a couple of guys with test caps in there too (namely Amla and Zondeki) - maybe something could be asked about that? I'm sure that will crop up in thier best cricket moments.

__________________
Whatever your difficulties in mathematics, I can assure you mine are far greater!
Albert Einstein, 1879-1955

These players took part in the Cricket Australia Emerging Players Tournament 2006 back in July 2006:
Davey Jacobs
Mornè van Wyk
Johan van der Wath
Thandi Tshabalala
Monde Zondeki

I'd like to ask them about that series. As it happens Davey Jacobs, Mornè van Wyk, and Johan van der Wath are team-mates with the Diamond Eagles.

Davey Jacobs opened the batting for South Africa Emerging Players and played a memorable innings in the tied match against Australia Centre of Excellence. He made 47 runs in 36 balls, and dominated a 58 run stand with Alviro Petersen. Thoughts on his performance in that match. Does he feel comfortable opening the batting in 50 over matches? Team-mates Mornè van Wyk and JJ van der Wath also play with the Eagles. Did that have a positive effect having Eagles team-mates around?

Johan van der Wath bowled well in the Final. Were you happy with that performance? Are you a seam or swing bowler? Can you bowl reverse swing? As an all-rounder, do you enjoy batting or bowling the most? You didn't make the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy. Has that dented your hopes for making the World Cup squad? Are there any matches before the WC in which you can impress the selectors before the WC squad is announced? What would it mean to you to be part of the WC squad?
How disappointed were you that the one-day tournament in Sri Lanka against India and Sri Lanks was cancelled?

Mornè van Wyk: Does keeping affect your batting? If you didn't have to keep would your batting improve? Are you a keeper who bats or a batsman who keeps? What is the toughest aspect of keeping? How do you judge whether a knicked ball is going to carry to first slip or not so that you can make a diving attempt to catch it? When and why did you take up keeping?

Thandi Tshabalala
When did you take up spinning?
Is variation more important for a spinner to apply pressure on a batsman or consistent line and length?
Why does South Africa struggle to develop good spinners of International class?
You ran out Jamie How in the match against New Zealand Emerging Players. Tell us how it happened.
In the same match you took a return catch from Nathan McCullum. Tell us how it happened. Did you set him up for that or was it unexpected?
How disappointed were you that the one-day tournament in Sri Lanka against India and Sri Lanks was cancelled?

Monde Zondeki
What was it like getting your first wicket in Test cricket?
Do you prefer one-day cricket or Test cricket?
What is the secret to maintaining a consistent line and length while bowling fast?
You seem to really enjoy your cricket. How do you maintain that enthusiasm when playing under pressure?
What aspect of your bowling are you trying to improve?
Can you bowl reverse swing?
Were you disappointed with your performance in the VB Series? What did you learn about your game from that series?
You helped South Africa Emerging Players to win the Final against Australia Centre of Excellence. How did the team celebrate?
How optimistic are you of making the World Cup squad? What would it mean to you?

Questions to ask all five players:

South Africa Emerging Players played some close matches against Australia Centre of Excellence. Thoughts about those matches and the tied match in particular. Thoughts on winning the final against Australia.
Which other player in your team impressed you?
Which player or players in the other competing teams impressed you?
How does the intensity and quality of cricket at this level compare to South African domestic cricket?
Has this experience improved you as a player?
Will it benefit your performances in domestic cricket next season?
Did the players have time to socialize or sightsee during the tournament?
Did the wickets advantage the batsmen or bowlers?
Do you play for any overseas clubs in the off-season? If not, how do you keep fit?
What is your usual fielding position? What is your preferred fielding position?
Do you prefer playing one-day games or four-day games?
How optimistic are you playing at Test level someday?

Hashim Amla
When Australian commentator Dean Jones said, after you took a catch, that "the terrorist has got another wicket" live on air when he thought the microphone was turned off, it was reported that you were "deeply hurt" by the remark. Is that true? Did Jones apologise to you afterwards?
Have you been aware of racist remarks directed at you by spectators? Does it put you off your game?
You've played seven Tests now, do you feel that you have established yourself in the side?
How much tougher is Test cricket compared to domestic first-class cricket?
Do you need to be more skillful or just more mentally strong?
What was it like to score that 149 against New Zealand at Cape Town?
Congratulations on being named among the five Mutual & Federal SA Cricket Annual’s Cricketers of the Year. What does that award mean to you?