Five Proteas talking points ahead of the ODI series against India

The Proteas switch to white ball cricket on Thurday in the first of six ODIs against India in Durban.

With the build-up towards next year’s World Cup in England now beginning in earnest, there are already various issues that have stuck out its neck.

Coach Ottis Gibson and the national selectors have earmarked the series as a bit of an experiment, especially later on but how will that impact results.

Here are five talking points that have emerged already.

Quinny quickly needs to find form

Quinton de Kock. (Photo by Richard Huggard/Gallo Images)

Gibson and co aren’t being unreasonable when they say one-day cricket could be a more forgiving environment for the embattled wicketkeeper-batsman.

Pitches in 50-over cricket tend to be flatter and easier to bat on, perfect for a man who averaged 11 in the Test series.

However, De Kock’s struggles weren’t necessarily just down to difficult pitches.

The bowling to him was smart and his poor confidence also makes him doubt actually playing shots.

De Kock’s biggest enemy in this series will be himself.

If he clicks, he’ll be fine.

But poor form will warrant new options for the Test series against Australia.

The resurgence of JP Duminy?

JP Duminy. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

Whether it’s his inherent class or just the standard of bowling at franchise level, the experienced left-hander has owned domestic cricket the past few months.

Duminy has at times scored runs at will and made headlines by smashing 37 runs off an Eddie Leie over in the domestic One-day Cup.

Is this a sign that he’ll fulfill his real potential in this later stage of his career?

There’s no more Test cricket pressure and his off-spin can rather be used as an added bonus than saying it’s part of the bowling attack.

He’s a white-ball specialist now. He has his role defined. Surely he’ll deliver.

But with Duminy you never really know.

Pedigree or form for the main spinner role?

Tabraiz Shamsi. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)

Tabraiz Shamsi is in the form of his life.

Before Tuesday’s semifinal in the domestic One-day Cup, the left-arm wrist spinner had taken an incredible 26 wickets in just nine matches.

Add his 16 in the Ram Slam to the mix and it’s clear the Titans star is the best one-day bowler in the country at the moment.

Yet Linda Zondi, the convener of selectors, said last week they still consider the reliable Imran Tahir as the No 1 tweaker in the side.

That’s fine but might it not be better to build depth by picking Shamsi when his form is red-hot?

Should he be playing the first three games?

The juggling act with the fast bowlers

Lungi Ngidi. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

During the Ram Slam, Titans coach Mark Boucher admitted they had to plan carefully the way they use Lungi Ngidi.

Apparently, the doctors of the exciting young quick say he shouldn’t be travelling too much because of the stress it places on his back.

Ngidi had a stress fracture there last year.

There’s a fair amount of flying involved for the Proteas in this six-match series, so it will be interesting to see how Ngidi is managed.

But it’s not just him.

Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada still have to perform in a four-match Test series against Australia later this season.

They bodies also need some sort of rest.

Floating role for Aiden Markram?

Aiden Markram. Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images.

The Proteas make no secret of the fact that the Test opener is considered a middle-order option in one-day cricket.

That it, after all, where he made his ODI debut.

Yet if the national team is really keen on experimentation later on, the rookie stroke-maker might have to show his versatility.

What if Hashim Amla needs a rest as opener?

Or De Kock’s form just becomes too poor?

Proteas ODI squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Khaya Zondo.

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