South Africa to Experiment

The big picture for South African cricket right now is over hauling Australia as the best Test and ODI team in the world. That will mean beating the top ranked Aussies in their series, in Australia and then South African, starting in December. Before that there are ODI’s against Kenya and Bangladesh, followed by two Tests against Bangladesh. While South Africa will not take their opponents lightly, they did so in the last World Cup, where Bangladesh beat them comfortably leading to South Africa facing Australia in the semi finals, they will however use these games as warm ups for the Australia series.

The past has seen South Africa fail to capitalise on the opportunity to experiment, especially in Tests, and put out a perceived strongest eleven at all times. While this approach is not without merit, it puts added value on Test and ODI caps, and ensures that the best team is always put out, giving more respect to opponents and the paying public. It does however have many failings as well. On South Africa’s last tour, to England, they managed to win the Test series, something they did for the first time in England since the 1960’s, and had the opportunity to give those who had not featured a game in the final Test, a dead rubber. They did not. They lost the Test and followed that up with a trouncing in the ODI series. The intensity was missing from the final Test, with a feeling of mission accomplished permeating through the team. JP Duminy and Monde Zondeki had been rewarded for strong domestic form with places in the touring squad. Yet neither played. Zondeki was not part of the ODI squad and so went home after a few months of touring and carrying out the drinks. Had they been picked they would have raised the intensity of the squad, as they had something to play for if the others did not, as well as gaining experience that may be needed down the line. It would have also been Duminy’s Test debut. South Africa failed to utilise that opportunity.

Which ever way you look at it the resting, or dropping, of Ntini and Nel gives South Africa a chance to plan for the future. And that is what this series is about. They had hoped to introduce Ryan McLaren to the international fold, but that was but on hold my Kents refusal to release him from his Kolpak contract. Zondeki, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn will use these games to showcase their ability with the new ball. Hashim Amla will put forward his case for inclusion in the ODI team, and to show that he is far more than just a Test batsman. Justin Ontong will be given a chance to show that he is better than his international record suggests, while Herchelle Gibbs will be out to prove that his international career his not over just yet. And Johan Louw will be given his international debut against Kenya on Sunday. With Kolpak contracts robbing South Africa of much of his cricketing depth, Louw will be out to show that there are experienced domestic performers who have much to offer when called upon.

While it is good that South Africa will be using the ODI’s to give chances to those on the fringes and to try things out, they must not stop there. The Tests should also be used to move South Africa forward. This means giving Duminy is Test debut, and a starting place in both Tests, and giving Zondeki a chance to stake a claim for a Test bowling place. It would have been an ideal time to introduce Tsotsobe to international cricket, but they young opening bowler will have to wait longer for his taste of international cricket, but the chance to give Duminy and Zondeki game time must not be wasted. Duminy can not be expected to make his debut in Australia should injury keep any of the current Test batsman out.

While South Africa should win both series against Kenya and Bangladesh there is much still to watch, particularly on an individual front.

pic from cricinfo.com

Louw Called Up

Dolphins all rounder  Johan Louw has been called up to the South African squad for the forth coming ODI series against Kenya and Bangladesh. This is Louws first ever call up to the national team.

With Graeme Smith and Dale Steyn expected to miss the two matches against Kenya, but will feature against Bangladesh, and Ryan McLarens call up blocked by Kent, the Proteas would have been down to just 11 players for the two games against Kenya. Louw had been part of a training camp with the national team and has been officially added to the squad.

The 29 year old bowling all rounder has been in great form for the Dolphins in the last few seasons, as well as performing well in county cricket with Northamptonshire.  Although Louw has featured in county cricket as a Kolpak player he is eligible to play for South Africa without breaking any county contracts as he was Northamps overseas player last year, and not a Kolpak player.

Louw has over 1000 runs and 150 wickets to his name in limited over cricket, both in South Africa and England. He was the Dolphins leading wicket taker in all forms of the game last season, returning impressive figures of 77 wickets at 16.68 in the four day competition and 24 wickets at 14.62 and an economy rate of 3.92 in 12 limited over games. He was also the Dolphins leading bowler in the Pro20 Series.

Louw is an opening bowler who relies more on variation and skill rather than pace, and is a useful lower order batsman. At 29 he has waited a long time for recognition but has never given up hope of playing for his country. It’s always pleasing to see domestic form rewarded with national honors and if Louw and Zondeki are given the new ball against Kenya it will be just rewards for the two leading domestic bowlers over the last couple of seasons.

pic from cricinfo.com

South African Cricket News

The Proteas have a new selection panel that will be headed by a new convener of selectors, ex South African all rounder, coach and current ICC match referee, Mike Procter. Procter is joined on the panel by  ex Protea vice captain Craig Matthews,  Winky Ximiya, and Mustapha Khan. The squads for the next two series, featuring Kenya and then Bangladesh have already been chosen, so the new panels first job will be picking the team to go to Australia in December.

Proteas coach, Mickey Arthur, has had his contract renewed until after the 2011 World Cup. The last season has been the South Africa’s most successful in terms of Test series wins, culminating in their first ever series win in England, and will have gone a long way to giving CSA faith and belief that Arthur was still the right man to lead the Proteas. The next season will be a testing one, with a double header, away and home, series against Australia coming up from December, and Arthur will have been pleased that his future was sorted out before that series.

Dale Steyn, South Africa’s number one strike bowler, has been passed fit for the forthcoming matches against Kenya and Bangladesh, having suffered from a mystery virus. Steyn is not yet match fit yet and may be left out of the games against Kenya in order for him to gain fitness and to give Monde Zondeki a chance to get some game time. The first match against Kenya is on Friday the 31st of October, while the start of the Bangladesh series is on the 5th of November.

A CSA Franchise Review committee has recommended that the current 6 Franchise teams be increased to 8 for the 2009/2010 domestic season. The two new Franchise teams would come from Border and Griqualand West, and would mean a split from current Franchise teams the Eagles and the Warriors. There are financial conditions that will have to be met if the two new Franchises are to come into affect. The news will lead to other cricket boards appealing to be one of the new Franchises, such as the North West districts which currently are part of the Lions Franchise with Gauteng.

South Africa, Australia and New Zealand have announced that they hope to form a franchise based T20 competition based on the IPL. The new competition will look to be launched by 2011. The concept is still in the early planning stage but is believed to compromise two sections, an African section and a Australasia section, with the winners meeting in a final. Their is also a want to find a schedule away from the IPL to allow players involved in that competition to feature for the new franchises. A tri nation T20 competition featuring international teams, India, Australia and South Africa was talked about last month. Cricket boards have since denied that any competition is being planned and this franchise based set up looks to be a more feasible option.

pic from cricinfo.com

Amr Zaki

Egyptian forward Amr Zaki has made a prolific start to his English Premier League career, leading the early scoring charts with 7 goals in 8 games. A few months ago no one in England knew who Zaki was, now the forward, on loan at Wigan, is being chased by Liverpool and Manchester City, with Real Madrid obviously mentioned too.

Amr Hassan Zaki was born in Mansoura, Egypt, on the 1st of April 1983. His club career started with his home team, Al-Mansoura,  where his prolific goal scoring, 20 goals in 20 games, caught the attention of bigger teams. He moved on to ENPPI  where he found the net 16 times in 41 games, and took ENPPI to their best league finish ever when they ended the 2004-2005 season as runners up. They also won the 2005 Egyptian Cup, their first trophy ever. Impressive performances in the 2006 African Cup of Nations alerted European clubs to his talent and Zaki signed for Lokomotov Moscow for a reported $2million. His first taste of Europe turned out to be nothing short of a nightmare as the Egyptian striker lasted only 6 months in Russia, without featuring for a single minute for his new club. Zaki returned home to Egypt and signed for El Zamalek. Once again he found his scoring touch and eroded the disaster of Russia with 22 goals in 54 games for Zamalek. That scoring form, together with his international exploits, Zaki has netted 29 times in 48 games for Egypt, alerted Steve Bruce, the Wigan manager, and a deal to take Zaki to England, on loan for a season, was completed.

There is no doubting the talent of African football. Drogba, Essien, Toure and a host of others in England’s top teams are testament to that. But for every massive hit there are many misses, as the climate, culture, language and home sickness make settling into European football difficult. Indeed even the best players need a settling in period before we start to see the best of them. Many African players take a similar route to European football success, moving to France first, where the league is full of African players, and in terms of the North African players, language is not a problem. After cutting their teeth in France for a few seasons they are ready to move on to England, Spain and Italy. The likes of Drogba, Essien, Kieta and many others have followed this path. Yet Bruce took a gamble on a player who’s only other European experience had been a failure. And it was a gamble that has so far paid off handsomely.

Zaki has needed no time to settle in. He scored in pre season games, and just carried on scoring in the regular season. He is top of the English scoring tables, and has all the top clubs watching him carefully. A quote from his Wigan manager, Steve Bruce, probably best describes why he has been such a success so far.

When you look at this lad and his build, he is the same height, weight, everything about him, he is like Alan Shearer. He has the same confidence when he gets the ball, he knows where the goal is, he doesn’t need to look up, he has this instinct. Strikers like that have an instinct as to where the goal is. You can’t describe it, you can’t give it to anybody.

Zaki seems made for the English game. The toughness and combativeness that takes many new comers by surprise are part of his game. He is an English type forward who seems to have found the best style for his play.

While all has gone well for Zaki the true test will come from December. Not only will he no longer by a surprise package to the league, but the colder weather will test the mettle of the Egyptian sun reared player. Should he come through that period there can be little doubt that suitors will come knocking on his door.

Bruce has Zaki on load until June. He will do well to tie him down to a permanent deal before then. However the stories doing the rounds linking Zaki with moves to City and Liverpool may give the player more options for his future. He must remember though that Bruce took a gamble on him, showed faith in him, and can guarantee him first team football. In time his talent may prove to big for Wigan, but for now he is at the right club.

India Crush Australia

India swept to their biggest ever run margin of victory in Tests as they beat the number one ranked team Australia by 320 runs. This thrashing was also Australia’s biggest loss since 1990 when the were beaten by the West Indies.

Australia had thus far survived the post Warne/Mcgrath/Gilchrist period without being tested too much. With claims, and hopes, that Australia would struggle without the legendary trio they have actually managed to get on with their tasks and continue winning, be it less brutally then before.

This weeks bruising defeat could tell a different story. Australia are defeated in a Test series very rarely. In this decade only defeats to India, in India a few years back, and the famous Ashes defeat to England in England come to mind. Australia almost immediately wiped away the memory of that Ashes defeat by trouncing England 5-0 18 months later. In any case even when Australia do lose a Test match, on that rare occasion when it does happen, it tends to be in a dead rubber after the series has already been won. This happens more than you’d think.

There are still two Tests left in the series, so Australia still have a chance to win or draw the series. But it is the manner of this defeat that will leave questions about the fallibility of the once mighty Australia. India rescued a draw in the first Test after Australia had been the better side. Many would have expected Australia to power on from there and sweep the series, with India folding as they had done before. But in the face of selection questions, over the aging legends of Indian cricket, India responded in brutal style. They batted brilliantly, in both innings, and restricted the Aussies to modest scores in their two innings, even turning down the option of having Pontings men follow on, as they instead went about setting a daunting target that was never going to be reached.

Indeed there was something very Australian in the Indian approach. The way they never allowed the opposition to recover from a bad first innings, and kept digging the hole deeper and deeper, until Australia had to lay down and give in. This was typified in the Indian second innings, when they batted at over 5 an over, scoring quickly and taking the game further and further away from Australia. Dhoni’s decision to capitalise on the brisk start by his star openers by coming in at three was inspired and full of intent.

India have a selection headache of their own going into the third Test. Kumble, who missed this match, will be fit again, but the  performance of MIshra, on debut, was one of the keys to the victory. Dropping him would be harsh. But the Test captain should play. It’s a hard selection issue and one that will have to be made bravely, with the series perhaps decided by that one selection.

What is paramount though, for India and world cricket, is for India to strike again and not allow Australia back into the series. A strong display is needed by India in the third Test, one that will ensure that the series is won before the final Test. World cricket will be behind India. The strength of Australian cricket will be tested in the two Tests to follow and they will not lay down and allow India to begin their dethroning without a fight.

We’re in for a battle. One that will be watched and enjoyed by all.

pic from cricinfo.com

Rooney’s Back

It was reported just before the international week that England manager Fabio Capello wanted to make Wayne Rooney the goal machine they hoped could fire them to the world cup. Rooney, after a prolific start to his international career has found goals harder to come by in the last few years. That all changed this week with Rooney firing in four goals in two games. Added to that the goals he has scored for Manchester United in the last three club games the forward is on a prolific run.

Rooney has tended to get his club goals in bursts, followed by a dry spell, and then another burst. However his international goals have not really coincided with any club bursts. That all changed this week with the ease he is now finding the net.

Sir Alex stated that Rooney has sacrificed himself for the team for much of his career, being played out of position, doing a lot of tracking back, and not getting the chances that a true forward needs. What Rooney showed this week, and in the last couple of weeks counting his United goals, is that he is a striker and given the chance to score he will take it. Whereas he has tended to be the player doing the dirty work and letting someone else take the goal scoring glory, Ronaldo at club level, Rooney showed that if you put him upfront, increase his supply, and he will score.

It is perhaps no coincidence that the reinvention of Rooney as a scoring threat has come with Capello partnering him with Heskey. Heskey has a terrible goal scoring record for his country, but critics look to far into that. You don’t pick Heskey to score you goals – he won’t. You pick him to get your team, and his partner goals. Englands best strike partnership of the last decade has been Owen and Heskey. Heskey spent the last three years out of the international fold and Rooney’s goals dried up. He came back and Rooney can’t stop scoring. What England have missed is not the Rooney isn’t a goal scorer, he is, it’s that he needs the right partner. A big man like Heskey works for England, with the little and large formula that worked with Owen suiting Rooney as well. Not to say that Rooney is only effective in this way, his partnership with Tevez, both small men similar in style, shows that he is not a one trick pony.

England, and Rooney, under Capello are a far different side to any we have seen in the recent past. They have their problems, the Lampard, Gerrard partnership still doesn’t work, they don’t always impress in performance, but they are winning. Four wins from four in the World Cup qualifying is testament to that. There is a belief there that has seldom been seen in England and they may have just found the right man to take them to within a realistic chance of glory at a major tournament.

Rooney and Capello could take England all the way in South Africa in 2010.

pic from teamtalk.com

South African Spin Hope From Pakistan

Since readmission to international cricket in 1991 South Africa have been in need of a spin bowler who can win them matches. Their weight may finally be over next season when Pakistani spin bowler Imran Tahir qualifies to play for South Africa.

There were times early after readmission when South Africa went with an all pace attack, no matter what, often not choosing a spin bowler at all. They realised that variation was key to success and began their search for a spin bowler. Pat Symcox, Paul Adams and Nicky Boje were the bowlers that made the biggest impact but often found themselves being used defensively rather than as wicket takers. They were used to tie down an end or to give the quickies a rest. It is fair to say they were not utilised to their best ability.

In Paul Harris, in Test matches, and Johan Botha, in ODI’s, South Africa have identified two spin bowlers who will be given opportunities to play significant roles in the team. With the next World Cup in the sub continent the need for spin bowlers to play an active part in the team have increased, if South Africa hope to make any impression in the tournament.

Harris and Botha have both done good jobs for South Africa and have been fixtures in recent Test and ODI teams. However this should not stop the search for a match winning spin bowler, in terms of bettering the squad, and increasing competition. That search has brought forward Imran Tahir. The Pakistani spin bowler, capped at “A” level, has been playing for the Titans for the last few seasons, has settled and married a South African wife, and as of next season will be eligible to play for his adopted country.

Tahir has been a success in South Africa, where he plays with Harris for the Titans, and has just come off a fantastic personal season in English County cricket. His first class bowling average is an impressive 25,07 with a best of 8/76. Clearly South Africa would do well to draught him in as soon as possible. Whether it is as a front line spin bowler, used in an attacking manner, or as part of a spin duo with Harris on spin friendly pitches, the adopted South African is an exciting option for the team to look forward to.

South Africa famously lost KP to an adopted country, one he now leads, it seems like they will be taking advantage of the same system to increase their spin options.

pic from cricinfo.com

South African Cricket News

Ryan McLaren has been forced to withdraw from the South African squad to face Bangladesh and Kenya after being refused permission by Kent to end his Kolpak contract. The Eagles and Kent all rounder, who was called up to the Protea’s squad for the first time, had been earmarked to attempt to fill the void left in the ODI team by Shaun Pollocks retirement, a void that was fully exposed in the hammering the Proteas received in the ODI series against England in August. McLaren has been told by Kent that he will not be released from his Kolpak contract, which has two years left on it, meaning that he is unable to play international cricket for that period. CSA have said that they are disappointed, but there is little that they can do now. McLarens case was not helped by Kents relegation to Division Two in England, which made them reluctant to lose one of their best players as they attempt to regain promotion to the top division. The development is bad for both McLaren and South Africa, with the player showing form that should be rewarded with a place on the international stage, and the national team losing yet another quality player needed to help them catch Australia at the top of the cricket table.

In South African domestic cricket, the Eagles, without McLaren for this match, were bowled out by the Warriors for 28 in their four day Supersport Series match. The score was the lowest in South African domestic cricket since the formation of franchise cricket, and the 4th lowest score ever in South African cricket. The Warriors heroes were Makaya Ntini, in his first game since being left out of the Protea’s ODI squad, with 5/9 from 11 overs and new ball partner Tsotsobe with 4/3 from 8 overs. South Africa have chosen basically the same Test team that has done business for the last season for the two Tests against Bangladesh, which is an indication on the how serious they take their opposition, but it would have been an ideal time to blood a young player like Tsotsobe, who will play for South Africa in the future.

Ntini has expressed disappointment and not been contacted before the announcement of the ODI squad for the series against Kenya and Bangladesh, a squad he has been left out of. The opening bowler said that neither coach Mickey Arthur nor captain Graeme Smith got in touch with him to let him know he had been dropped. Arthur said there were attempts to reach Ntini, and that he left him four messages when he could not be contacted. Lack of communication has been a blight in South African cricket, and has led to the team losing players such as Andrew Hall to international cricket.

Dr Mtutuzeli Nyoka is the only nomination for president of CSA’s board of directors, which is due to be formed later this month.

Former South African Test batsman Peter Kirsten will join Kenya on a short term deal as a batting coach. Kirsten joins younger brother Andy on the Kenyan coaching staff.

India Need the “Fab Four” – for Now.

India begin their home Test series against Australia today. The series comes with its fair share of baggage, after the controversies and ill feeling between the two sides that dominated the Test series in Australia earlier this year, a series that Australia won 2-1, but will be remembered more for the public mud slinging that went with each game.

While this series presents India with a chance at revenge, an opportunity to set things right, and gives Australia the chance to show the world that they are still the best team around, with a general feeling that the once mighty baggy greens are a team there for the taking, with a host of retirements to their aging, but dominant team.

While talk has been dominated by references to the last series between the two sides the Indian team have had other media distractions to contend with. The naming of the squad brought about much debate about the inclusion of Ganguly and the “Fab Four” of Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman and Ganguly, in general. Ganguly’s form of late has not been great. The “Fab Four” have just shown glimpses of their past greatness in recent years and there has been wide spread call for their axing, and for a more youthful Test line up. After the failure of the ODI team in the last World Cup many of the older members of the team, including Dravid, Ganguly and Laxman, have been left out of the ODI and T20 teams, as the selectors have favoured youth.

There have even been whispers that a deal has been struck with some, if not all, of the four, where they will be given this series as one final hurrah, they will be picked no matter what their individual form, and then they will retire. Ganguly has thus far been the only one of the four to announce that he will indeed be retiring after this series.

Former England batsman, and now commentator and writer, Geoffrey Boycott has suggested that the time may be now for the Indian legends to say goodbye. He even went as far as to suggest that one of the reasons for them prolonging their careers may be for the endorsement deals that go a long with being an Indian cricketer. That may or may not be the case, but he does go to make some valid points, such as the fact that Tendulkar now seems to be injured more than he is fit, and that the foursome are not the once awesome force that they once were, and don’t make the impact that is needed by the team to win series. Perhaps the best point that Boycott makes however turns out to be one in favour of their inclusion. There are no better replacements.

It’s all well and good crying out for the inclusion of young blood, but what is the point if these new players aren’t good enough? Indian cricket is blessed with an abundance of potential stars, but are they ready for a Test series? More to the point, are they ready for a series against Australia? Without the baggage of the last series this would be a hard and testing series, as much about mental strength as it is about cricketing talent. With the goings on of the last series this just becomes more intense. It would be asking to much to take away the batting spine of the team over the last decade and throwing in some new players, based solely on domestic form, in what could be the hardest series they will ever play in. That just seems like a recipe for failure, and a potential stunting of careers that have yet to begin.

Ganguly, Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman have nothing to prove to India or the cricket world. They all have great individual records, with Dravid and Tendulkar having exceptional records. Ganguly is also the most successful Indian captain of all time. Age does however catch up to us all. They can decide how and when they want to end their careers. Shaun Pollock called time on his when he was still at the top of his game and was given a heroes reception at each of his final games during the series against the West Indies. They can go down that path, or they can continue on until they are forced out. Ganguly perhaps saw the writing on the wall and decided this was the way he wanted to leave. A big performance in this series will ensure he leaves as a hero.

If this were a series against a weak team then perhaps it would be the time to begin a new chapter in Indian Test cricket, one without the “Fab Four” and the time to blood new talent would present itself. However against Australia, where the mind needs to be stronger than the body at times, India needs its old guard. What it needs the most though is for them is performance, domination, and a glimpse at the past. If only for one last time.

McLaren Gets His Chance

South Africa named 3 squads for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh and Kenya. The 3 squads announced are for the T20, ODI and Test matches.

There are two new caps in the squads, with Ryan McLaren picked in the ODI squad and Rory Kleinveld in the T20 squad, while Andre Nel fails to make any of the squads, and Makaya Ntini features in only the Test squad.

Ryan McLaren, the Eagles all rounder, has had a solid few seasons for the Free State based franchise, but it has been the impact he has made as a Kolpak player with Kent in the English County Cricket that has seen his stock really rise. There are a few issues still to be ironed out, with McLaren needing to be released by Kent from his Kolpak contract in order to play for South Africa, but CSA feel this should not be a problem. The form that McLaren has shown over the last season and a bit with Kent has prompted talk of him following the KP route  and qualifying to play for England in a few years. South Africa will be loath to have that happen again and will make sure they tie the all rounder down as a South African player.

The recent hammering the ODI team received at the back end of the England tour highlighted the massive gap left by the retirement of legend Shaun Pollock. The hope is that McLaren will help to fill this void. The lack of all rounders, who have been a strong feature of South African cricketing strength in the past with the likes of Kallis, Klusner, Pollock and McMillan, has lead to South Africa playing with a longer than usual tail. Vernon Philander has featured in a few games but has yet to transfer his outstanding domestic form to the international stage. The position is there to be taken, and McLaren will get his chance to show that he is the man for the job.

Rory Kleinveld, the Cape Cobra’s all rounder, will also have a chance to make his international debut if he features in the T20 game on November the 5th in Johannesburg against Bangladesh.

Johan Botha, the South African ODI spin bowler, has been named as captain for the early part of the series, with Graeme Smith still recovering from his elbow injury sustained in England. Smith is expected to be back before the end of the series.

Ntini’s form in ODI cricket has not been great this season, and his dropping may be just what is needed to give him time to recharge his batteries. Another view is that his omission is designed to prolong his Test career, by ensuring that he plays less cricket, and will also give new, younger, players an opportunity to press for places.

JP Duminy is the only uncapped player in the Test squad and this is the ideal opportunity for the selectors to give the young batsman his first Test cap, something they had the chance to, and failed to do, against England in the final Test, which was a dead rubber. Lets hope Duminy gets the chance to play in both Tests this time.

The squads are:

Test squad (for two Tests against Bangladesh) Graeme Smith (capt), Neil McKenzie, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Ashwell Prince, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher (wk), Paul Harris, Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Monde Zondeki.

ODI squad (for two ODIs against Kenya and three against Bangladesh) Graeme Smith (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, Ryan McLaren, Mark Boucher (wk), Justin Ontong, Johan Botha, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Monde Zondeki.

Twenty20 squad (for one-off match against Bangladesh) Graeme Smith (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, Loots Bosman, JP Duminy, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, Justin Ontong, Johan Botha, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn.

pic from cricinfo.com