This series against the Netherlands is a big chance for fringe players to stake a claim with bigger series’ on the horizon.
Kyle Verreynne
Barring injury, he’ll be behind the stumps and in the middle order for all three matches. Verreynne spoke about the importance of establishing himself in the side, with an eye on the 2023 World Cup. Having been talked up so much last season when Pakistan toured here, Verreynne knows that he has to prove he can cut it at the highest level
Middle order batting
Verreynne, David Miller, Khaya Zondo make up the middle order for the series – with a bit of help from some all-rounders – and it is important to strike the right balance between circumspection and aggression. Middle order players need to be adaptable and those three have a critical task in the series.
The (seam bowling) all-rounders
There are three of them in this Proteas squad; Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo. Pretorius underlined his value at the T20 World Cup, Phehlukwayo needs to re-establish himself at international level and Parnell, a surprise pick, will want to show he still has what it takes to perform for the national side. Quite what the selectors’ plan is with regards to the all-rounders isn’t clear, so it’s up to the players to help them.
Seam bowling depth
No Rabada, Ngidi or Nortjé, so what can Sisanda Magala, Junior Dala and Daryn Dupavillon provide? It’s a very big opportunity for those three, because there’s a bit of depth being created in South Africa’s quick bowling stocks at the moment. This series is a big chance for them to stake a claim with bigger series’ on the horizon
Complacency
There really shouldn’t be any complacency in the SA side, not after what happened against the Irish in July. Just a month before that, the Irish lost to the Dutch, and with a number of South African ‘connections’ in the Netherlands side, who will all lift themselves to face the Proteas, there could be some fractious moments in the series.
