Which one batsman would you build a team around?

Hi Tim, What I've seen of him is very impressive . He is a strong lad but prefers a classical technique in the mould of Kallis as opposed to the brute power of a Klusener or Kuiper. He can bowl a bit too. Although only 20 years old he has dominated the Sunfoil series cricket awards this year and represented SA at virtually every age group level. What interests me is that he comes from the same High School (St Stithians ) as Kagiso Rabada. They must be doing something right .Probably not since the early years of Kallis and of late Rabada has a very young cricketer attracted so much interest.

That was Sheridan, Sutcliffe and Pearce. It's that South African in you that makes footy so hard to understand. It's all explained now.

You forgot 5: Herschelle Gibbs in regards to spilling it on the big stage- think of Fyfe in the 13 Gf ;) Couldn't resist it Don, breaking the cricket kindred spirit we have going

Your thoughts on Wiaan Mulder, Dav?

Apparently the Aussie players have a lot of respect for Kohli and some of them count him as a friend.

That's nice. I don't.

100 per cent agree nudge, Completely ludicrous to suggest the best averaging test player does not enter the conversation!

Yes Tim , When you watch him in full swing you have to pinch yourself as a reminder that he is only 23years old.

If fit being the important part there, given his back has been a problem repeatedly it's a bit hard to be sure he will be fit on a regular basis for much longer.

Smith averages 57.50 in test cricket. Root 53 Williamson 49.50. Got no problem with Root or Williamson being some people's choices, but to say Smith doesn't enter the conversation is laughable

Really? I disagree. I've always liked him, even when I hate him. I like his passion and fire, even if it's a bit over the top sometimes. Good for cricket, I say.

I do think its a bit silly thinking that a guy like AB at 33 years is a bit old. Could still play at highest level for another 4-5 years if fit. I remember during the Australian rebel tour of SA in the 1980's a certain Mr Graeme Pollock at the age of 44 years tearing the Australian attack of Terry Alderman , Rodney Hogg and Carl Rackeman apart. He averaged 65 during the 3 test series which included the most sublime century at Newlands. ( I was at the game) He was miles ahead of any other batsmen on either side . One thing I did know about Graeme Pollock and this is not just legend was that he did not believe in fitness training and thoroughly enjoyed a pint.(the possible secret to cricketing longevity)

Much as it pains me to say it, I think you are right Kohli comes out on top when all formats are taken into account. Smith best in tests; De Villiers best in ODIs; Kohli best in T20s.

I was schooled in RSA in the 60's and the Bokkies I keep in touch with have DeKock on the same footing as Denis Lindsay. I think he is a fabulous player with style and real technique. His standout is he has such game awareness, a quality very lacking in batsmen in this age He is still very young too

I agree on De Kock Tim. Aussies see him as a batsman/keeper coming in at 7 . In reality he played most of his junior and franchise cricket as an opening batsman. I would love to see him settled in that spot. The great Barry Richards said that an opener must want to open . You cannot retread a good player into that spot . De Kock does want the job. Relative to the article though he did struggle in India but was very new and young at test level. I would wait a year or two and who knows. Some say he may become one of the all time greats.

Ok...if we are going there, it takes 4 to embody Nat Fyfe: 1. The drive and focus of Steve Smith 2. The power of Davy Warner 3. The subtlety and touch of Ussie 4. The flair of Maxi

QDK is like crickets version of Bontempelli Such style combined with real substance

I have discounted the RSA greats because the focus tends to be on age. The one who i will be intrigued by to see how he goes against RSA in the upcoming series is Kusal Mendis. All were so impressed by his all round batsmanship against England this year and he announced himself with one of the best centuries seen against the Aussies. I think he can truly be top drawer For i, Root stands alone, and Williamson is in the conversation. As for Kohli, he has improved but I still think he would be very suspect against the moving ball in RSA/England. As for Smith, I do not see him in the conversation As an aside, with the skill/temperament DeKock batted with, one could even raise his name if he keeps it up

I'd have to go with the Kholi consensus here. His consistency in the shorter formats is amazing. He appears to have mastered relatively risk free rapid scoring in those formats. Only ABDV comes close and he is brilliant but inconsistent. Warner is rapidly improving and wold be my number three in the short formats. In tests, it's much closer, but I'd go Kholi again, just. His level of improvement over the past 18 months has shown he appears to be cracking this format as well. And I love his determination, although he can be a bit of a loose cannon. Just shades Root and then Smith for mine. Over the next 18 months to two years expect to be adding Khawaja to this list in tests, I expect him to become adequate against spin without ever dominating, but Kholi is not great against the moving ball, so he is allowed areas of weakness. But the big move across three formats will be Quentin de Kock (apologies for the spelling if wrong). This kid has it all. Alread is pealing off centuries at a great rate in ODI's and now that he has cemented himself in the test team, look out!

During the last test series between SA and England ,Joe Root was exceptional. In fact as far as I'm concerned was the difference between the two sides. During The previous series between SA and NZ played on exceptionally lively pitches against the SA pace attack Kane Williamson looked so much better than anyone else in his team . He was actually quite comfortable when all others around him were at sixes and sevens. Very tough to choose between the two . Steve Smith also puts his hand up . Has such a cool head but until Kholi plays a little bit more outside of his Asian comfort zone he is further back in the que. I'm only discounting AB de Villiers because he has played so little cricket of late.