The withdrawal of Keegan Petersen from the Proteas’ squad leaves the team with another batting problem, just as a solution to the longstanding issues appeared to present itself.
Petersen’s exit was really bad timing, coming as he was poised to build momentum in the Test team after a great series against India.
Zubayr Hamza comes into the squad and is the favourite to assume Petersen’s spot in the team and the batting order.
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Rickelton or Erwee?
All of the other batting options in the squad might require someone to shift position or take up an unfamiliar one in order to get into the side.
The other two batters that stand in reserve have both been with the Proteas Test group all summer, but neither has a Test cap, and they have limited experience batting at number three.
Opener Sarel Erwee and Lions wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton are both powerful left-handers.
What Erwee and Rickelton have over Hamza is their current form, but both would be better suited to opening the batting.
Move Markram?
That opens up the option of moving an out-of-sorts Aiden Markram down to number three.
This option or even the left-field pick of Rickelton would mean seeing a pair of southpaws opening the batting.
While conventional wisdom dictates that a left-right combination is best to ensure that the bowlers can’t get into a rhythm and the fielders are forced to constantly shift position, it is not a rule that needs to be adhered to strictly.
However, a number of highly successful opening pairs have been two left-handers, with Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden ranking as perhaps the greatest opening pair in modern cricket.
Markram might benefit from moving to first-drop and could also have a role to play with the ball, if the sun comes out at all during their series in New Zealand.
Have Hamza?
Hamza faltered in his last outing for Western Province, but he scored a ton in the India A series, which also saw Erwee rack up the runs.
While Rickelton’s name hasn’t been mentioned much, he is perhaps the man with the most impressive recent form and the greatest versatility in terms of where he can bat.
Whichever way the Proteas go, the player coming in will know that he has a golden opportunity to impress and keep his name in the forefront of selectors minds.