13 August 2019, by: The Popping Crease

THE NEXT GENERATION OF PROTEAS

South African Cricket is in a transition phase at the moment, with the Gibson era finished and new interim coach Enoch Nkwe appointed.

While there are players who are settled in the team, there are others who should be looked at and given some consideration especially with retirements coming thick and fast.

Here is who The Popping Crease thinks should be in the mix for the Proteas in the near future:

At only 22 years old, wicket-keeper batsman, Kyle Verreynne has shown his ability to not be phased under pressure. He has demonstrated on a number of occasions his ability to construct a mature innings, across either one-day cricket, when he scored his maiden List A century earlier this year, for the Cape Cobras

While in T20 Cricket, he scored a wonderful 53* off only 34 balls in the opening game of the inaugural edition of the Mzansi Super League in 2018.

He is a naturally gifted red and white ball cricketer, and his averages prove just that. His First-Class average is a very healthy 49.65, while his One Day Cup average is a whopping 64.66.

Recently crowned the Domestic Newcomer of the Year at Cricket South Africa’s annual awards, 20-year-old, Qeshile is an up and coming wicket-keeper batsman.

Playing in his first full franchise season for the Warriors in the 2018/19 season, he is not one to be afraid of a challenge, as he scored an unbeaten 52 in his franchise debut against the Dolphins in March 2018. He ended the domestic four-day competition with 735 runs at an average of 52, which included seven half-centuries.

He has a calmness about him when batting and the ability to adapt to any match situation and can score runs at will, regardless of the format.

The younger of the Malan brothers, Janneman (23) is an exciting young batsman who is making waves in local cricketing circles. Earlier this year, his excellent season was recognized at the Cape Cobras awards, where he picked up not one, but three awards: Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year.

His ability to perform well between formats is impressive, with a wonderful 137 in the four-day franchise series, and also an unbeaten 103 in a CSA T20 Challenge match against the Warriors in the 2018/19 season.

Having already made his international debut for the Proteas in the T20 format, Janneman needs to graduate to the One Day and Test teams, as his First-Class average is over 54 and List A average is over 48.

Fortuin was recently honoured at the CSA awards with the Player’s Player of the Year award. The 24-year-old, left-arm spinning all-rounder for the Highveld Lions has impressed with his domestic form, and who this season took career-best figures of 7-70 in the domestic four-day series.

His First-Class batting average is 34 and bowling average is 27. Very fine figures for a young spinner who is plying his trade and not afraid of hard work. If he can continue on this path, he will make a case to replace Tabraiz Shamsi as the left-arm spinner of choice for the Proteas, as he offers more control in his bowling with his varying pace, and significantly more in the batting department.

Fast bowlers are never in short supply in South African Cricket, and 21-year-old Lutho Sipamla is no exception. His performances in the inaugural Mzansi Super League made him a household name, he bowls fast, often clocking up to 145 kph and with accuracy. He finished the MSL as the third highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets at an incredible average of 20.56.

His performances in the MSL earned him a call-up to the Proteas T20 side, and he has taken 4 wickets at 32.75 in five matches. His First-Class average is a very respectable 27.50. With his ability to stay calm under pressure, and skills of varying pace and bowling yorkers, he is definitely a future star for the Proteas.

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