Week 5 CSA 4 Day Series Team of the Week

Once again, this week I have the scores and or bowling figures of the players that put them into this team of the week, it is not the total numbers of runs scored or wickets taken in the games themselves.

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Joshua Richards

151 v Dolphins

Josh played the second-best hundred of the week behind the Dolphins’ Marques Ackerman. He made a mammoth 151 against a strong Dolphins’ attack. It was an innings that showed his full range of shots on both sides of the wicket. He is a hugely talented cricketer and is beginning to knock on the door for higher honours.

Reeza Hendricks

136 v Dolphins

Reeza returned to the fold of 4 Day cricket this week and performed superbly with a faultless hundred of 136 that should have gone a long way to securing a win for the Lions. That may not have happened but this hundred further showed the versatility of Reeza in all the formats of the game. It is excellent to have someone with this experience in the domestic format.

David Bedingham

129 v Knights

David Bedingham had not really kicked on while making decent scores throughout the series. He however did make up for that this week with a magnificent 199, until he drove hard outside the off stump when on 199. He will be a little frustrated that he pushed too far outside his off stump on 199 instead of just looking for a single to get the milestone. Only a matter of time before he plays international cricket you feel.

Marques Ackerman ( c )

139 v Lions

Marques had not been performing to the potential his talent suggests for a little while prior to this week’s games but he sure made up for that with a show-stopping second innings score of 139. With the Dolphins chasing 260 he made 139 off 127 balls against the strongest bowling attack in the competition, even though Duanne Olivier was missing this week. Fighting against the prospect of bad light the team total was scored off 47.2 overs, so ODI batting was in full motion.

Heinrich Klaasen (wk)

128 and 71* v North West

Heinrich might be an outsider now but he knows there is a place open in the Test side with the retirement of Quinton De Kock, so it is up to him to continue with this form if he really wants to be considered for Test cricket. Both innings in this round were impressive, especially in the 2^nd innings which was scored at virtually a run a ball. Whatever his future is with regards to the Proteas, it is good to see him back in form.

Wihan Lubbe

102 v Boland

This XI needed an all-rounder and while there had been a few good performances in this round his stands out, due to the fact he made 102 against former Proteas Kyle Abbott, Hardus Viljoen and the experienced Shaun Von Berg. It is even more impressive with the fact he was asked to open the innings with Eddie Moore being unavailable for this game. He also picked up a few wickets with his more than useful off-spin.

Shaun Von Berg

6/76 v Warriors

The Rocks have had a tough season in the 4 Day Series but Shaun Von Berg has been remarkably consistent with the ball and occasionally the bat. This week he picked up his best figures of the season so far against the Warriors. He bowled with great guile and accuracy and although his side lost, he was able to show his skills and demonstrate that he is still one of the best spinners SA currently has.

Simon Harmer

5/20 v North West

Simon started his return to SA domestic this season a little slowly but he is back in the sort of form that has found him being successful in the County Championship. His 5/20 in the first innings for the Titans showed his great skill and experience, where he strangled the North West batters and they had few answers to what he offered. He is currently sitting in 2^nd place for wickets taken this season.

Evan Jones

128 v Easterns

Evan is only the 2nd Division 2 player who has made the team this week but it was impossible to leave him out. His side Northern Cape were in a little bit of trouble when he came to the crease in the second innings at 102/4 but his 128 off 132 balls and partnership of 174 off 33 overs with Hanu Viljoen put his side in full control and on their way to win the match against Easterns. He was also very decent with his bowling but it’s his batting that puts him in the side.

Ottniel Baartman

4/48 v Lions

He bowled tightly in both innings in the game of the week but it was his 4/48 in the second innings when the Lions were looking for quick runs that have put him in the team of the week. He dismissed three out of the top four Lions batters and bowled with great skill.

Lizaad Williams

6/69 in the match v North West

I do not understand why Lizaad is not in more Proteas squads but, he is bowling well now. His performances in both innings for the Titans showed he can be the leader of this attack and it is wonderful to see. He has found a home and seems happy on and off the field.