Within twenty four hours, Jacques Kallis would have retired
from Test cricket and South Africa quest for replacement will begin. In reality, Kallis is irreplaceable so it is
virtually impossible to fill the void of South Africa’s greatest
cricketer.
Instead the selectors are likely to bank on the horses for
courses approach. The first obstacle is the toughest and with a rampaging
Australia arriving in only few weeks time, it is likely the South Africa will
play with extra batsmen given the defensive mindset of Smith and influence of
Johnson on the tailenders.
With the first Test match on the fast bouncy track of Pretoria,
and the 3rd Test at the seaming Cape Town, South Africa will load up
their pace battery with four quicks (Steyn, Morkel, Philander and Abbott) and
play Duminy and Elgar as part time spinners.
Choosing Robin Petersen is risk given if he is taken out of the attack
by the Australian batsmen, the pace trio will have share a heavy workload. With
three tests against Australia in 3 weeks it remains unlikely Morkel, Steyn and
Philander will be pushed to the extent.
Smith conservative approach in the recent Test series against
India is a clear indicator South Africa is still paranoid of losing for the
sake of winning.
Similar trend followed in England last year when after the
retirement of Boucher, they opted for De Villers to perform a dual role rather
than bringing in a dedicated wicket keeper.
It was a further suggestion South Africa preferred to strengthen the
batting.
Even for a team that is number one in the world, they are
unlikely to risk a bowling all-rounder at number 7 or a rookie wicket keeper
especially against quality bowling line up of Australia.
If South Africa opts
for a bowling all-rounder, Ryan McClaren or Wayne Parnell is the likely
candidates. McClaren averages 30 with the bat in FC cricket and has improved
his batting over the past couple of years.
Parnell on the other hand has not really developed as a cricketer South Africa
would have liked. He might have gained pace but off field discretions and lack
of consistency suggests he is touted more as a one day specialist. Importantly,
McClaren bowling resembles Kallis more than Parnell. It is safe enough to say McClaren is the only
viable option.
The other option South Africa could explore is to introduce
Quention De Kock as a specialist keeper at number 7. It will enable De Villers
to bat at Kallis position at four but it also means there is no all rounder in
the team and hence more work load for Steyn, Morket and Philander. Although this is the conventional option, the
wicket keeping of De Kock still has plenty to desire. Additionally De Villers
is comfortable at five and with the gloves so in nearby future it is a unlikely
option.
Only Test in the nearby future South Africa could be thrown
in disarray will be the 2nd Test in Port Elizabeth. Traditionally, it
is the slowest pitch in South Africa and given Australia’s recent spinning woes
Petersen could play a role meaning Steyn, Morkel and Philander fitness and
ability to share the extra work load could dictate the combination.
South Africa next most prolific Test series for South Africa
will be at home against a weakened West Indies nearly eight months later. It is a long time away and by then De Kock
would have likely taken over gloves from De Villers.
Real challenge will be when then Tour India 18 months away
until then South Africa has plenty of time to groom or develop an all rounder
or a high quality spinner. Until then
the theory of horses for courses is only logical way of replacing King Kallis.
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