Kritik und Anregungen » ayer and is s starter, so when we sub that p

Dont expect major changes in the South Africa XI when they play their first day-night Test in Adelaide in a weeks time. Early indications show they are not looking to shake up the batting line-up but there may be a spot for chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi, who was seen practising alone with the pink ball in the indoor nets in Hobart during the second Test.I dont think we are going to change much. Its important that we maintain the stability of the squad and the structure of the starting XI, Linda Zondi, South Africas convener of selectors, said. Weve picked the squad based on what we feel will be the right combination. We are fortunate that weve got so much variation. If we feel Shamsi will play a role, we will definitely choose him but [Keshav] Maharaj has done well. Its a nice problem to have. It boils down to the case of the decision to be made and we will see the conditions on the day.Statistical evidence does not help Shamsis case either. He only bowled three overs in the pink ball warm-up match in Adelaide and was South Africas most expensive bowler in the next practice game, a regular red-ball fixture. Neither was he part of the South Africa A side that played two unofficial Tests against Australia A in winter. However, evidence from Indias Duleep Trophy shows that wristspinners can have success with the pink ball. Kuldeep Yadav, a chinaman bowler like Shamsi, led the wicket-charts and Yuvraj Singh said he saw batsmen struggle against wristspinners.Australias batsmen had a hard time against Shamsi in the ODI series in South Africa, which Zondi will be aware of. Vernon Philander is nursing a sore shoulder from his collision with Steven Smith, and concerns remain over Morne Morkels match-readiness. With those factors and a ball that wears quickly, South Africa may surprise by picking two spinners in the starting XI.The pink ball could also force a different thought about the composition of the line-up, perhaps with a push for more aggressive players upfront to maximise scoring chances. Quinton de Kock, or even Rilee Rossouw, whose form against Australia in the ODIs earned him a spot in the Test squad, would seem likely candidates given Stephen Cook has yet to find his stride on this tour. Zondi, however, indicated such drastic measures wont be used.You need to back players, its very important. A player shouldnt walk into a match knowing This is the last game that Ill be playing, he said. If you look at Stiaan van Zyl, there was a time when he was really struggling and we needed to back him and we did. You need to give players enough opportunity. Thats something we want to maintain. Yes, there will come a time when youve crossed the line but weve got to be fair in terms of saying weve given a guy enough chances and only then look another way.Van Zyl, a regular middle-order player who has since signed a Kolpak deal and taken himself out of the Test equation, was given the job of opening the batting when Alviro Petersen retired in 2014 but was not able to fit in. In eight innings between January and December 2015, van Zyl managed only 156 runs at 22.28, which included South Africas nightmare tour of India late last year. Yet, the selectors stuck with him for the return series against England at home. He was dropped only after he had failed over a full calendar year and was replaced by the in-form Cook, who scored a century on debut against England in Centurion.Cook has spent more than a decade in the franchise structures and was among the top ten run-scorers for seven seasons before being given an opportunity, and it is expected that his future will not be decided on two poor Tests in Australia, especially as South Africa are strong everywhere else. When you look at the different roles and the structure of the side, weve got enough combinations in the middle order with bowling allrounders as well, so even if the challenge remains upfront, its only fair that we give whoever we pick a good run, Zondi said.Another factor in Cooks favour is that South Africa do not plan on experimenting excessively, despite the series being won. Theyre chasing a whitewash and a consistency to carry into the home summer and the series in New Zealand, as they look to climb the rankings again. From a selection point of view, we try by all means to make sure we sustain and maintain the continuation of the side, Zondi said. Its about guys understanding and having awareness of their roles in the side. The more they understand their roles, the better for the team and the better for us as we are moving forward. Cheap Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. Cheap Arizona Cardinals Jerseys . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. http://www.usnewjerseysoutlet.com/?tag=cheap-denver-broncos-jerseys . A statement from the worlds top-ranked player says all checks "were satisfactory and showed positive evolution" regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne. Cheap Houston Texans Jerseys . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. Wholesale Jerseys . SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Go get him!Tom Thibodeaus booming, baritone voice knifed through the air inside sold out Carioca Arena on Saturday as the U.S. team dropped back to play defense early in its Olympic tournament opener against China.Stay home! he barked. Back, back! Get up! By yourself!Thibodeau didnt stop, and his commands could even be heard by fans sitting in top rows of the upper deck.From the opening tip to the final horn in the 119-62 blowout, Thibodeau, a hard-driving, hoops lifer who prides himself on teaching the old-school way, screamed instructions at the American players. They have quickly learned that their Team USA assistant coach -- and the new head man with the Minnesota Timberwolves -- is demanding when it comes to defense.Im used to Thibs, man, U.S. center Demarcus Cousins said with a laugh. Thats Thibs in walkthrough, so were used to it.And the rest of the world better get used to this U.S. team playing lock-down defense. Armed with unmatched offensive firepower, the Americans, seeking their third straight gold medal, are creating an identity with their backs to the basket.We get after it on that side of the ball, said forward Draymond Green.They got after China from the outset. Warriors forward Klay Thompson, one of the games elite perimeter defenders, made a steal on Chinas first possession and the U.S. finished with 15 steals, forced 24 turnovers and held China to 30 percent shooting.With another roster of NBA stars, there is a continuous red-white-and-blue wave of players flooding in from coach Mike Krzyzewskis bench. When the U.S. starters needed a break against China, Krzyzewski sent in a fresh group and Thibodeau made sure they knew what they were doing defensively from the moment they stepped on the floor.From his seat next to Coach Ks, Thibodeau pointed like a traffic cop at a busy intersection, and of course, made certain his demands were heard.Thibs is going to lose his voice by the time this is over with, four-time Olympian Carmelo Anthony said. I think everybody in the world can hear Thibs on the sideline. Its motivation for us, to know that we have somebody on the sideline thats in tune to it. Hes pushing us and hes keeping us uplifted.The U.S. plays its next game on Monday aagainst Venezuela, a team it beat by 35 last week despite a poor shooting performance.ddddddddddddThibodeau, fired last year by the Chicago Bulls after five solid seasons and hired to help toughen the T-Wolves in May, is relishing his role as the U.S. squads minister of defense. This is what he lives for, and the chance to mesh a group this talented to play team defense is as good as it gets.And its already apparent that Thibodeaus message has gotten across as the U.S. players, some of whom are not exactly known for their defensive skills, are being more vocal on the floor. During the win over China, the Americans were calling out screens, switching and looking to help each other whenever possible. Theyve clearly bought in.During the first quarter against China, Cleveland point guard Kyrie Irving poked the ball away before diving headfirst on the floor trying to come up with the steal. As he laid face down, Thibodeau clapped in approval.Floor burns are a badge of honor to Thibodeau, who feels the U.S. team is embracing his principles.The strength is our versatility, he said. We have 12 guys who play hard and play for each other and they are committed to doing that. It started the first day and theres no let up so when we go to our bench theres is no drop off. Every one of these guys is a great player and is s starter, so when we sub that pressure is going to remain and were going to keep coming for 40 minutes.Kevin Durant, who along with Anthony is the only returning player from the 2012 London team, said he and his teammates know that when the shots arent falling, they can always fall back on their defense.Defensively, were pretty good, he said. When we put Draymond out there and just start switching everything, that makes us even better and then we got two guys that are different rim protectors in Marcus, who takes charges and covers the paint, and DJ (DeAndre Jordan) who blocks shots at the rim. We just got every area covered. And we got long defenders on the wing and great point guards that use their hands, so we got to continue to lean on that.Thibodeau will make sure of it. ' ' '