Mak backs Elgar for PE Test
National convenor of selectors Andrew Hudson said he is considering a specialist batsmen for the crucial must win Test for South Africa to stay alive in the series.
I fully back that sentiment, I feel we do have enough firepower in the bowling department.
The trio of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Venon Philander is undoubtedly still the best attack in world cricket, however they were found wanting in the first Test at Centurion.
They failed to hit their straps on a regular basis, Steyn was far below his best, despite taking six wickets in the match Philander wasn't as clinical as recent times and Morkel just didn't settle into a rhythm.
With all that said, I still believe the problem is not the bowling department, but the hole left in the batting order due to the departure of Jacques Kallis.
If they are to play Elgar, I believe he should bat up the order, preferably at number four because that's where he plays for his franchise.
With Elgar coming up the order, JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis would then drop one down the order to strenghten the tail.
Du plessis in recent times has shown he performs better at six or seven, having Philander at eight or nine will give the Proteas a lenghty batting order.
At first, I must admit, I thought Wayne Parnell would do the trick, his inclusion would bring a variety, but we really lacked a solid presence in the top four barring AB de Villiers.
The second Test gets underway on Thursday in PE, Axxess St Georges Park will host the five-day spectacle.
(File photo:Gallo Images)
- Mak Dlamini
- Twitter - @MakDlamini