Sydney: Former Australia wicket keeper Ian Healy has raised question marks over South Africa’s decision to make AB de Villiers keep wicket despite the presence of a specialist Thami Tsolekile in the squad.
The Proteas appear certain to retain de Villiers behind the stumps despite the claims of Thami Tsolekile, considered the best glove man in the country.
Healy believes de Villiers will face a torrid examination of his skills in back-to-back Tests in Adelaide and Perth over the next fortnight.
“AB de Villiers does not need to be the wicket-keeper - and the team does not need him to be the keeper,” a website quoted Healy, as saying.
“How many batsmen do you need? You don`t need decent batsmen down to number seven when you have three decent tailenders as well. Vernon Philander is a decent batsman and so is Dale Steyn,” he added.
“Adelaide on day four and five is seriously hard work. You need a technique. AB is an extremely natural catcher and mover but you need more than a natural in Adelaide if the wicket starts staying down and gets a bit slow to the quicks and you have to stand up a bit closer than you are comfortable doing,” he said.
Healy added: “And then there is the spin and the chopping up of the wicket. I also reckon their fielding team misses him. In Brisbane they were modest at best. Adelaide is a ground where you have to get your head down and really concentrate hard. This is where it could be really challenging for him.”
“I have not seen Thami Tsolekile play but I have seen him warm up and practice and he is doing everything right there. If you have got him in the squad why not use him?” he said.
ANI
First Published: Wednesday, November 21, 2012, 09:35