Everything that is wrong with South African cricket is reflected in the Tshwane Spartans squad.
The Spartans boast two fast-bowlers, namely Lungi Ngidi and Lutho Sipamla, that are key members of the current Proteas T20 side. Yet, it is Morné Morkel, the 35-year-old fast-bowler who retired from international duty to earn top dollar as a domestic cricketer in England, who has been the Spartans’ best bowler in the second-edition of the Mzansi Super League – Morkel has taken eight wickets at an economy-rate of 5.74, while Ngidi and Sipamla have taken a combined total of 5 wickets at an economy-rate of 8.08 and 11.28 respectively.
Morkel is not the first South African cricketer who hanged up their international boots too early. Graeme Smith was another who was eager to put his feet up despite having the time and talent to continue playing at the highest level.
Then there is Dean Elgar, the Spartans’ opening batsmen and occasional left-arm spinner. But, Elgar has erroneously been labelled as ‘only a Test Player’ by the Proteas Selectors and thus is another player, who could still be helping the Proteas as next year’s T20 World Cup, that has never been appreciated by the Proteas selectors.
Theunis de Bruyn is another player, who happens to play for the Spartans, who has been wrongly pigeonholed by the Proteas Selectors. De Bruyn has only played Test cricket even though his career stats and aggressive batting-mentality indicate that he should be playing T20 and 50 over cricket for the Proteas.
The Proteas Selectors should, therefore, keep an inquisitive eye on the Spartans to try identify some of the downfalls plaguing South African cricket.
South African Cricket 