Cricket South Africa | 2021-11-23

Once again, this week I have the scores and or bowling figures of the players that put them into this team of the week and not all of what they scored, or wickets taken. Also, two Division 2 players made the squad which they both deserved.

Grant Mokoena

154 v WP

Grant is well known as a white-ball cricketer but showed his ability this week in red-ball cricket in this round of 4-day cricket. He played within himself with a magnificent 154 in the Titans only innings of the match. It was most impressive on a pitch that was slow and difficult to score on, which does not suit his natural attacking batting. His first-class average at Newlands is now over fifty.

Dean Elgar

117 v WP

Dean missed the first two rounds due to injury but filled his boots in this round with a solid 117 against an inexperienced and injury-ravaged Western Province bowling attack as they lost Wayne Parnell on the morning of the match. He did not make a mistake throughout his innings. He may well have known that Convenor of Selectors Victor Mpitsang was in attendance to witness his innings. His runs are good news for Titans and the Proteas.

Ryan Rickelton

117 v Rocks

One of the most talented cricketers in South African cricket made an explosive hundred against a Rocks team that included Hardus Viljoen and Kyle Abbott. Ryan has rightly been rewarded with higher honours into the Proteas squad v Netherlands, which is happening this week.

Lesiba Ngoepe

88 v North West

A well-played 88 against North West by Lesiba once again showed his talent, his second fifty of the season so far. When it is well known that Cricket South Africa are desperately looking for a young talented black African, Lesiba is one to watch should his recent form continue.

Leus Du Plooy

91 & 85 v Easterns

Leus was unlucky to be run out in the last round but made up for that with 91 and 85 in this round. Both innings he played to his strengths, taking the attack to the bowlers and not allowing himself to be tied down. 

Nicky Van Den Bergh

64* and 64 v Warriors

He has certainly been the most consistent wicket-keeper batsman this season and once again in a struggling North West team made a well-timed 64* in the first innings. He knows his game very well and is clearly enjoying his time with his new team.

Aya Gqamane

117 v WP

The ultimate professional, Aya was the unsung hero for the Titans in a win by an innings. He made his highest score in first-class cricket and played his natural game as he smacked the ball to all parts, grinding the WP bowlers into the ground as the Titans made a record-breaking 647/7.

Simon Harmer

10/225 v WP

While Simon had not hit his straps quite right in the opening two rounds of the 4 Day Series, he made up for it in this round against Western Province. A 10th 10 wicket hall and a best bowling performance at Newlands for him of 7/76 in the first innings completed an outstanding four days of cricket.

Sean Whitehead

10/36 SWD v Easterns

It was impossible to leave out former SA U19 cricketer Sean Whitehead from the team of the week with his performance in this round. He showed genuine guile as he got himself 10/36 in the second innings which is the second-best bowling analysis in South African domestic cricket but it was not his only good showing in the game as he bagged 5 wickets in the first innings and made 66 when batting

Thomas Kaber

103 & 5/109 

Always thought there was a quality cricketer in Thomas Kaber and his 105 and 5/109 showed his talent is there. He is another cricketer that is flourishing in the new domestic restructuring.

Duanne Olivier

9/95 v Rocks

He is easily the best fast bowler in South African domestic cricket now and is making things exceedingly difficult for the batters. Once again, he was too quick for most of the batters and ran through the Rocks lineup with little difficulty. He is enjoying being back in South Africa.

BET Contributor

Tims is a CSA accreditated freelance cricket writer who also does cricket commentary for Guerilla Cricket SA and founder of the Full Quota Podcast.