Test Squad Announced For 2 Tests vs India & The Sports-Man's Perfect SA Test Team...!

Test Squad for 2 Tests vs India

 Graeme Smith (Cape Cobras, captain), AB de Villiers (Titans, vice-captain), Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Dean Elgar (Knights), Imran Tahir(Highveld Lions), Jacques Kallis (Cape Cobras), Rory Kleinveldt (Cape Cobras), Morné Morkel (Titans), Alviro Petersen (Highveld Lions), Robin Peterson (Cape Cobras), Vernon Philander (Cape Cobras), Dale Steyn(Cape Cobras), Thami Tsolekile (Highveld Lions).

The Sports-Man has to be honest when he says that from the squad named above he cannot select his "perfect" Proteas and South African test team for the short two match series against India. I will reveal why just now...!

While I can understand why the selectors have stood by the squad that has performed very well of late, I do feel that the selectors have to be open to change, especially when some special young talent knocks extremely hard on the door. From the squad that was announced today, The Sports-Man would select the following line-up, but in brackets and in Green, is my "perfect" team I would send in against India:

1. Graeme Smith   (G. Smith - nobody can argue with our National captain's pedigree and quality!)

2. Alviro Petersen (A. Peterson probably just deserves to be in the team right now)

3. Hashim Amla   (H. Amla selects himself because of his non-stop, ROCK-solid performances)

4. Jacques Kallis (J. Kallis - although cold of late, you cannot leave the legend out - he will come good!)

5. AB de Villiers   (AB - what a cricketer, but in my "perfect" team he won't be the WC)

6. JP Duminy   (JP - he may be a little hot & cold at times, but he still deserves his spot)

7. Faf du Plessis  (Quinton de Kock(WC) - I like Faf, but he needs confidence & De Kock is on fire - get                                                                                                                              him into the action!)

8. Vernon Philander  (V. Philander - another automatic choice in my team!)

9. Dale Steyn   (D. Steyn - Number 1 bowler in the world - need I say more?)

10. Morne Morkel   ( Morkel - Together with Steyn & Philander, our best 3 seam & pace bowlers)

11. Imran Tahir   (Tahir - after his form in Dubai, he deserves his spot as the first-choice SA spin bowler)