Opinion: Amla either opens or doesn’t play
South Africa have unveiled their 15-man squad for the World T20, taking place in India next month, and they are tasked with yet another quest to end the infamous drought and bring home an ICC trophy.
There were no major surprises in the touring party, unless you are a big fan of the Morkel brothers, Albie and Morne, who were both left out.
The lanky Morne has not been part of the Proteas' plans in the shortest format for a while and all-rounder Albie has gone to countless global tournaments on the back of good domestic form (at home and in the IPL) and flattered to deceive.
The one interesting area of discussion about the team could be right at the top of the batting order, with Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock and a certain AB de Villiers all going along.
Sense has prevailed in that De Villiers, according to captain Faf du Plessis and coach Russell Domingo, will open the batting in India, which leaves a conundrum for the brains trust to decide who his partner should be.
De Kock has been sensational in the current ODI series against England and should take his place alongside De Villiers at the top of the order.
Of course that would mean no place for Amla in the starting team as he either opens or doesn't play. It is as simple as that! Or is it?
For to long South African cricket has been stuck in a conservative thought pattern when you hear things like: 'We don't want to expose our best batsman to the new ball, that's why he is batting at five.'
The Proteas are not going to the tournament as one of the favourites and that might just be the tonic the team needs to just break the shackles and go for it. Having a 'steady' opener seems boring and counter-productive.
And this not a parting shot at the wonderful player Amla is, he has strike-rate of almost 90 in ODI cricket and a more than respectable 122 in T20Is, but just what is the best way to play at this particular tournament?
De Kock and De Villiers in full flow together at the crease will be hard to match by any of the other teams, and will leave opposition bowlers having sleepless nights.
Supporters will also hope that if the Proteas lose one game early in the competition they will not go into their shell and 'go back to basics' because that has not worked since 1992.
Nasri Alexander
Latest
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.