The question of who opens the batting with Quinton de Kock at the Cricket World Cup is the hottest topic in South African cricket right now. Check out our verdict.
We put the following question to the Forever Sports writing team:” Who should South Africa Quinton de Kock with at the top of the order at the World Cup?”
Stephen Pettitt – Editor
The debate is a simple one. Form versus experience. With Rassie van der Dussen having cemented that number three and Faf du Plessis and David Miller set to come in at four and five, it is a stright shoot-out between Amla and Markram at the top of the order. Amla has a wealth of experience especially in England and averages over 60 there. Markram on the other hand has been sublime in the domestic league. Given the batting woes, neither of these two will have the luxury of being played into form. It will be perform or be dropped. Or does it have to be?
JP Duminy is being thought about as a spinning option but quite frankly his bowling isn’t up to scratch and by no means exceptionally better than Markram who took a few wickets in the One Day Cup. Maybe the solution is to bat include both and use them as the situation needs. Amla opens and if an early wicket or two falls then Markram comes in at 3 or 5 or alternatively at 6 or even 7 at the end of the innings if things are going that well. It’s a big gamble but maybe it’s that sort of thinking that could make or break the campaign.
If I have to choose one then I back experience: Hashim Amla
Lloyd Sherewa – Sports Writer
Eshlin Vedan – Sports Writer
Hashim Amla has a good record in England. We should start him for the opener against England to partner De Kock as an opening batsman. However, we cannot afford any failures. In light of Amla’s poor form, a failure against England (anything less than 25 runs) should result in him being dropped in favour of the in-form Aiden Markram for the second game against Bangladesh.
