The coronavirus and the restrictions placed on sports that return under lockdown might have presented the Proteas with an opportunity to expand their talent pool.
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The Proteas have consistently produced world-class individual players, but in recent times the depth of the international squads has been tested.
Under the conditions of their restart ot training, Cricket South Africa has had to focus on the High-Performance Group, which is made up of international regulars as well as a few fringe players.
For South Africa to compete at the international level, they need most of that squad to be ready to contribute.
At the moment, franchise cricket cannot function, which means that the squad will have to test themselves against one another, temporarily providing an extra bridge to playing at the highest level.
Improving the Proteas depth would ensure that selectors have multiple options to fall back on if a player is injured or in need of rest, this will help prevent a revolving door of players who come in and struggle to establish themselves.
Some players in the group are approaching the last chance saloon having enjoyed a few international opportunities. The likes of Theunis de Bruyn and Khaya Zondo have taken up a good deal of the coaches’ time, but they should at least have a good idea of what they need to do to get a prolonged run in the side.
For others, the path forward may not be as clear. Rudi Second and Eddie Moore have piled on the runs in domestic cricket, but neither has earned an international cap although Second has toured with the Proteas.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins’ bowler Daryn Dupavillon earned a surprise call-up and debut last summer, but his path to more regular play is a bit of a mystery.
As a whole, the High-Performance squad is brimming with talent, and all of them should have a reasonable shot at being an international regular. Mark Boucher now needs to determine, not who the best men are for the team but who the right men are.
Having the group together will give Boucher and his technical staff the chance to assess what each player needs to progress.
The training and preparation time afforded to the Proteas may prove invaluable at plotting a course towards being competitive in multiple formats.
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets
