The question and answer session has closed.
James asked:
Why do you think Morkel and Faf were dropped in their team`s last games while they were in such a great form throughout the tournament. I am disappointed. Lastly, do you think we will see England winning the series with the white-wash?
Neil answered:
It’s understandable that a team might prefer the experience and proven match-winning ability of Mike Hussey to the exciting potential (and form) of Faf but the decision to drop Morkel was one of the most ridiculous selection choices I have ever witnessed. The leading wicket-taker in the tournament, in the form of his life…!? I can only assume that there was something murky going on behind the scenes – some administrator or influential owner with an agenda. That couldn’t have been a purely cricketing decision, surely…?
Diloshan Chetty asked:
Hi Neil.De Villiers,Kallis,Morkel brothers,Steyn were the only regulars for there teams,so although our guys did well,they were not first choice players.Faf did well,but when hussey came back,he was out,so it seems lik many of our players are playing second fiddle to the Ausies.Most ipl teams had 2 ausies playing,but the SA boys wer 1 or non in the teams with the exception on the above players.So i think the ausies are stil ahead of us in terms of star choices for franchises.What do you think?
Neil answered:
India leads the world these days in so many fields – IT and medicine being two of the most influential. However, in other areas they are still embarrassingly behind the times. The IPL has an Australian fixation that is as appropriately fashionable as flared trousers. There was a time, in the first couple of seasons, where simply being a mate of Shane Warne’s was good enough to get you a lucrative contract. Bizarre, isn’t it? I have no doubt they’ll get over it eventually. It’s interesting to note that there were comfortably more South Africans in the nine squads than any other nationality.
D Naidoo asked:
Hey Neil.I would hav loved to see mor SA players Playing and not sitting on the bench.Mumbai had about 5 or more SA players,why?Each player only got 2 or 3 games.Miller was a bit part player,faf was sick then droped for hussey,duminy wasnt a regular.De Lange had manyb 3 games and the list goes on and on.Why wer they so many SA Players at the ipl when they wer just subs?For the money?The players who wer regulars,Steyn,Kallis,Morkel and de villiers,i will b very disapointed if they do not giv the same 200% for South Africa.No excuses of being tired or sick from IPL.
Neil answered:
I’d happily go and sit on anybody’s bench for $100,000. In fact, I’ll sit on a bench for $1000. So yes, of course you take the money. But as I’ve explained before, there is a surfeit of cash at most IPL Franchises so they are just as interested in buying quality players to prevent other teams from having them as they are in playing them in their starting XI.
jeandre asked:
Hey neil I must say I can''t understand what''s going on in west indies cricket. If you look at there players in the IPL alone they have more then enough players to do beter.
1 gayle capt
2 dwayne smith
3 chanderpaul
4 darren bravo
5 morlon samuels
6 dwayne bravo
7 pollard
8 russel
9 ramdin
10 roach
11 narnine
Why don''t we see a team like this play maby the selectors need to get fired and get people that have pride for west indies like in the old days
Neil answered:
I honestly believe there is a case for the ICC stepping in to ensure the West Indies play their best team. The cricket world needs a strong West Indies – the other member nations should demand a stronger team or refuse to play against them. The men running the WICB are some of the most selfish, narrow-minded, stubborn administrators ever to have blighted the game, in any era. You could line up an entirely different West Indies XI to the one which is playing in England and they would thrash them. But they are not ‘yes men.’
James asked:
Hi Neil.Do you think that Graem Smith wil be in form for SA and dminate the English lik he did all those years ago?If he fails,wil it be the end of the road for him?Yes,he served SA well,but he has had numerous combacks from form,injury etc and it is maybe time to give som youngsters a chance to open.If he fails,are we going to persue with givin him more series or should he find form in domestic cricket and giv som1 else a chance.what do u think?
Neil answered:
I don’t think it’s appropriate or relevant to talk about ‘the end of the road’ for Graeme Smith when he’s only 31 and hasn’t even landed in England yet! Personally I think he could afford to have a moderate tour with the bat and still have many great years ahead in Test cricket. Kallis had a miserable tour with the bat in England four years ago and he’s still a pretty useful player! I must say, however, the fragility of his body is a concern. But he’s more aware of that than anyone…
Jewan Rayment asked:
Some of our batsmen had a few nice innings but they were very inconsistent - unlike the Aussies who were more reliable (grrr!)
Neil answered:
Which comes first – consistent scores, or consistent selection? Players who are assured of their place and know exactly where they stand in the team environment are far more likely to score consistently. Not sure how many SAfricans were regulars for their Franchises from the outset…?
Manny asked:
Did Mumbai realy giv the captainly to the clueless Harbajan?When he played Robin perterson,he never gav him the ball to bowl!What was Robin in the team for?To play as a batter and bowl 1 over?The Terminator needs to do his homwork on players next time and also not send himself up the order to bat.He had no idea of how to control his team.Albie Morkel must play as a batter for SA T20 team.Bat No.7 and not be pressurised to bowl.If he makes the 50 over team,Albie should bat 8 and only be needed for 5 or 6 overs.He is not the best odi bowler,but is a great batter when we need 25 of 2 overs.what do u think?
Neil answered:
I think you mean ‘Turbanator’ – but I couldn’t agree more about his captaincy. Clueless. He does everything by instinct, which would be fine if he had good instincts. No captain, surely, would bowl a specialist bowler for a single over which cost only seven runs. Harbhajan is what I call an ‘eyeline captain.’ If you want to bowl, make sure you’re in his eyeline!
Venter asked:
with a little application,the west indies can realy challenge england.SA are going to whitewash and shake them of that no.1 spot.remember they recently lost to pakistan.SA need a spinner that takes wickets,not a Symcox or Harris who just tie up an end and are happy to take 2 for 95.I am waiting for Kallis to make a duck.Those commentators wil start saying his eyes are goin etc.haha.remember thats what they said when Flintoff was bowling Kallis wil yorkers years back?Nasser Husain is the no1 culprit followed by Athers and bumble.what wil they say when kallis makes a hundred?that his wearing contacts?hehehehe.
Neil answered:
England lost to a Pakistan team with two world class spinners on pitches which turned. England’s batsmen are hopeless against spinners at the best of times, but on turning wickets they didn’t have a chance. Don’t expect too much turn at Lord’s, the Oval and Headingley! Funny that you mention Kallis. I, too, have a funny feeling he is going to make up for a very poor tour of England four years ago when he made just one 50 in four Tests. There’s nothing wrong with his eyes!
Hemoh asked:
AB won that signed car.What is he goin to do with it?Bring it to SA, wash those signitures off and drive it?Keep it as a sovenior?Just ask for the cash and leave it in India? would really lik to know.
Neil answered:
In days gone by those sorts of prizes were only ever for show – the winner would receive a cash equivalent. I’ll never forget Gary Kirsten winning the man-of-the-series in the triangular with Australia and New Zealand back in 2001 – his prize was a Harley Davidson motorbike. It was love at first sight. The organisers couldn’t actually believe he wanted to ship it back to Cape Town. But when he found out how much it would cost, he soon changed his mind.
happy nkosi asked:
Hi Neil
How do you rate Chris Tremlett as a bowler do you think the Proteas should be concerned with him given his perfomance in the last ashes
Neil answered:
I don’t know Tremlett personally, but from what I’ve heard he’s very much a ‘mood and motivation’ bowler. Get them both right and he’s probably as good as any fast bowler in the world. The problem with those sort of bowlers, however, is that they rarely get both right (let alone at the same time) and selectors eventually grow tired of selecting them. I think Steve Finn is the next in line for England now.
Tim asked:
Hi Neil, Do you think Kallis has done enough opening the batting in IPL to secure a spot in the SA T20 side for the world cup? And if so, where will he bat?
Neil answered:
He didn’t actually open for the Knight Riders this year, but I suspect that’s probably the best place for him in the SA team – alongside someone like Richard Levi. Anyone who saw the way Kallis paced the run chase in the IPL final will appreciate how important he could be to the Proteas in the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in October. After that, however, I don’t think he’ll play another T20 game for SA.
mundee asked:
Hi Manners.Why doesnt skysports or the bbc report on the ipl?Do the English think they are superior?Does India care that they dont get coverage in Britain?Does it effect there earning potential?I see that the BCCI gave many former indian players handouts in the form of cash,realy how much money do they hav?And specifically,how much did this ipl make for them?If we did it in SA,there would be outcry that people are starving while CSA gives handouts.is the same outcry not happening in India?Or does there board hav billions?
Neil answered:
Of course the English believe they are superior! They’re English! But it doesn’t make the slightest bit of difference to India or the IPL. Less than 2% of the entire IPL revenue stream is generated outside of India. You may like to think you’re a part of the IPL, but the IPL doesn’t need you. Now, if you were an influential Indian businessman, of course, that would be different…
The ‘handouts’ to former Indian players are in lieu of a pension and to say thank you for playing in an era where the game generated a tiny fraction of the money it does today.
Tumelo asked:
Hi Neil,
1)Do you think with Hashim will be fit to play the first test vs England and if not JP will be assuming the role but my concern with 3 lefties in the top 6 would Swann
2)If Vilas outshines Thami in the upcoming series vs Lankans A side do you think he''ll be chosen ahead of the veteran?
3)The makeup of the your staring 11 at the worldcup later this year?
4)Choose your starting lineup with the A squad thats to be led by Faf in the 4 day game, I just want check where you rate some of those BATSMEN in that team
Neil answered:
I hear Hashim is doing very well after his unfortunate injury in New Zealand. He has been in full training for several weeks now so expect him to take a full part in the series against England.
The best chance Vilas has to represent SA at the moment is in the T20 format – if AB is injured, rested or playing purely as a batsman. I suspect Thami will be handed the gloves in the Test matches at the end of the year. ODI ‘keeper might be different again…Kuhn?
I’m afraid I can’t do either of the selection tasks. You can’t pick a team for September in May – and I’m not sure I know all the ‘A’ team batsman well enough.
morne nel asked:
Hi Neil
I am a bit in 2 minds over the IPL I don''t think it played out the way it should I am not sure if mach fixing is a possibility and what the IPL does to combat this your thoughts ?
As for our players I think we did really well when they got the chance to play.
I feel thought that this competition could have a negative impact on the test series we should be preparing for in England do you think a lack of long spells and test match fitness could hinder us at the start of the series or do you think we are doing enough in regards to preparing for the top of the standing battle in England
Regards
Neil answered:
It was interesting that the IPL had no ICC Anti-Corruption Unit presence for the first two years. The recent busting of five players for spot-fixing confirms what most cricketers suspect deep down (but don’t like to admit.) It’s always going to happen from time to time. There will always be players vulnerable to bookmakers and gamblers. Money corrupts. It always has.
Trevor asked:
What happened to Richard Levi?
seems like he was a huge dissapointment!!
Neil answered:
Levi has become the kind of cricketer who will absorb information and become better and better as his career moves forward. He was slow to learn and reluctant to change for the first couple of years but now he has the taste for the big time and he’ll make a huge impact in the years to come.
Mo asked:
Hi, looking at ENgland vs West Indies, i think SA has a good chance. What are your thoughts? And what bout left arm seamers for england conditions, parnell or tsotsobi. Shouldn''t they be in? Are still sticking with tahir for spin?
Neil answered:
The teams are very, very evenly matched, aren’t they? I’m a big supporter of picking a ‘horses for courses’ team on one condition – that you are selecting from a squad of similar skill and ability. I honestly don’t think that Tsotsobe or Parnell are at the same level as Steyn, Philander or Morkel – and they’re certainly not the equal of de Lange in speed. I like the theory behind having a left armer, but our two need to combine their attributes to become a Test bowler. One has the pace but not the consistency and the other vice-versa.
dod asked:
Hi Neil.tel me,we had the ipl in SA.Certain people received bonuses for doin what?why is this cricket money not been seen at grass roots.we requested assistance from government for jus cutin grass we''re d younsters play,no response.even csa does not com back to us.I ask,wat is csa doin for the disadvantaged?I''ll tel u wat,nothin,jus linin ter own pockets.its been 20 years,but we stil only hav makaya nthini as d best ever black player.can u tel me how many black guys r on the fringes of d SA team?not indian and colored! But black.ter are non.we''re is d money wasted?
Neil answered:
Bonuses for staging another country’s domestic tournament in South Africa seemed highly inappropriate. Bonuses for staging the ICC’s Champion’s Trophy, however, were ‘standard’ procedure.
Everyone is frustrated by the lack of black successors to Makhaya. It’s not a simple or straightforward dilemma, however, as I’m sure you’d acknowledge. You sound personally frustrated, but there really are some very, very good people working within Cricket South Africa’s ranks and you must not give up in seeking assistance. Dare I even suggest this – but if you feel you are being disadvantaged and have done everything in your power to seek help – and that you have a legitimate, cricketing reason for deserving help…then go to the media! (I must warn you – this is a last resort measure!)
Diana asked:
Apart from the players we see in the teams, are there many South Africans helping with coaching, physios, etc.
Neil answered:
Quite a few. I’m not aware of all of them, but Eric Simons (Delhi) and Paddy Upton (Pune) were head coaches while past and present national fitness trainers, Adrian le Roux and Rob Walter were also involved.
Richard asked:
Hi Neil
I have two questions!?
Firstly in our test team Smith,Boucher,Tahir have not played any form of cricket lately! Do you think they will be match ready in England?
By M Morkel doing so well in India with this help his form in test matches?
Neil answered:
There are two warm-up matches on traditionally good pitches in Taunton and Canterbury before the first Test – and another handful of training days. By today’s standards, that’s a hellova lot of warm-up time! I think Morne turned a big corner during the New Zealand tour. Irrespective of what he did in the IPL, I suspect he’s going to be a bit of a nightmare for England’s batsmen.
Opso asked:
Hi.I have been reading all these headlines about South African exceling in the IPL.So il be very confident that they will also excel against england and whip them?I dont think so,why has the IPL becom so important anyway?
Neil answered:
Forget the IPL. It’s over. It’s like your lunchtime sandwich, it’s gone now. Just an empty plastic box with a blob of mayonnaise and a small piece of lettuce. It was very important at the time, but now you can’t even remember what the filling was inside.
