Former Proteas coach Eric Simons is hoping that Ryan McLaren's national call-up — for upcoming one-day games against Kenya and Bangladesh — will help keep South Africa's best players at home in the future.

Various Proteas squads for upcoming T20, One-Day Internationals and Test matches against Kenya and Bangladesh were named yesterday, and there were quite a number of surprise selections.

The big talking point was the selection of Diamond Eagles star Ryan McLaren, the star all-rounder having spent the English summer as a Kolpak player for County side, Kent.

Simons, in an exclusive interview with sport.iafrica.com, expressed his delight at McLaren's selection, saying: "I have been impressed not just by McLaren's performances over the past few seasons, but also by the tight match-winning situations in which they often occur.

"He has often been the difference between his team winning and losing and I am sure most teams do not believe they have beaten the Eagles until they have beaten Ryan McLaren.

"This is the type of player that you need in the international arena — match-winners that can perform under pressure."

It still remains unclear whether Kent will actually release McLaren from his Kolpak deal, but Simons is hoping this case could help Cricket South Africa (CSA) retain its best players, despite the lure of Kolpak contracts and the the Pounds that go with those overseas deals.

Simons explained: "CSA will have to find a way to include the Kolpak players because the talent drain that was once a trickle has steadily become a stream and it should be a huge concern for CSA. I certainly hope it is a sign that a solution is being sought."

Zondeki better suited to longer version

Cobras fast bowler Monde Zondeki has been included in the ODI squad — at the expense of Proteas stalwart Makhaya Ntini no less — and is set to play his first limited overs international since February 2006.

"Monde had a fantastic season last year in the SuperSport series, but his numbers do not stack up as well when one looks at the limited overs version of the game. He has a runs per over rate of just under five, which is high for a specialist bowler in domestic cricket and perhaps indicates that this is not his favourite form of the game," Simons noted.

"He [Zondeki] has been around for a while and has had a few chances at international level without being able to cement a permanent position, but I think playing him in the ODIs could dent his confidence for the Test arena for which he is better suited."

Another surprise selection, or rather non-selection, was the omission of seamer André Nel from the Test squad.

However, Simons does not believe this is necessarily the end of the road for 'Nella'.

"I would guess that his omission is a sign that the selectors are deciding to move on to other options, but I don't think you can write off André Nel just yet. He certainly has been a fighter over the years and I expect him to fight hard for the selectors attention in the coming week.

"But, at the same time, this decision certainly is an indication that either circumstances need to play in his favour — such as an injury or loss of form — or André will have to do something very special for them to notice him again."

"Selection must never cheapen a Test cap"

There have been some suggestions — by various pundits and past players — that the home Tests against Bangladesh would have been the perfect opportunity to blood some youngsters, but Simons does not agree.

"I would never want to see youngsters playing Test cricket simply to provide an opportunity," he said.

"Test cricket is the pinnacle of achievement for any cricketer and a player must receive this reward only once he has truly deserved it through consistent performance that warrants selection."

"If there are younger players that have done this consistently over the past while then this is an opportunity to provide them with the experience but selection must never cheapen a Test cap.

  • Click HERE for the Proteas squads announced on Tuesday.

  • Do you agree with Simons' views? Are Ntini and Nel finished at ODI level? Leave a comment below.


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