The BLACKCAPS unbeaten home summer is nearing it’s final act - and what a climax South Africa should be!
Here’s a sneak peek at our star studded tourists … warning all of the players below are ranked inside the top ten in their discipline and half are inside the top five!
Genius
Do you really need another reason to turn up? This could be the last time we see AB de Villiers on our shores and the great right hander will be looking to avenge his last trip down under (don’t mention the World Cup!). 24 ODI hundreds at an average of 53.69 and striking at 99.95 - need we say more? A genius not to be missed.
Watch him celebrate
With the plethora of headline acts in the Proteas line-up, it’s easy to forget that they possess the new number one ODI bowler in the world. Leg spinner Imran Tahir flies under the radar on the squad sheet, but he’s sure to be a full on nuisance to the BLACKCAPS batsmen in the all-important middle overs. A canny bowler who uses all of his experience to outwit opponents, Keep an eye out for his post wicket celebratory run around like a maniac routine #classic
Raw talent
Possibly the hottest young talent in world cricket at the moment. Quinton de Kock’s fearless striking at the top of the order and tidy glove work have seen him establish himself as a mainstay in the Proteas line-up across all three formats. The 24-year-old already has 12 centuries to his name and will be looking to get the visitors off to a flyer in the shorter formats while adding some counter punch down the order in the Tests.
Pure class
One of the finest batsmen of the modern era. Hashim Amla has 50 international hundreds to his name and for good reason. The effortless accumulator is a perfect foil for the ferocious South African top order and is coming off 154 in his last ODI innings against Sri Lanka last week. Another one we may not see again in this country…
Scary
Young, tall and fast. Three potent ingredients for a pace bowler and 21-year-old Kagiso Rabada is all three and more. The right armer can crank it up to 150kph and also swings the ball. His bowling averages in the low 20s across all formats tells the story and South Africa will be looking to him to lead the attack in the absence of Dale Steyn and co.
Their fearless leader
Since taking over the Test captaincy, Faf du Plessis seems to have grown another leg. He’s up to number four in the ODI batting rankings following his mammoth 185 against Sri Lanka and he’s not lacking in motivation for this tour "Honestly, something like that [Cricket World Cup semi-final] you'll always carry it with you … As a team we've put it behind us, but the emotions of that day will always be with us.” Stage set!