5 South African domestic and franchise stars who have been constantly overlooked for selection

South Africa has always been the home to some of the greatest bowlers, batters and all-rounders to have ever emerged into the international cricketing circuit, over the last three decades or more. The country is continuing to produce many such wonderful and promising talents within its borders courtesy the Ram Slam and the strong domestic first class structure prevalent there. However. as things stand, the racial policies and domestic lobbying are just some of the factrors constantly proving detrimental to the rise of many domestic stars in the country, whose performances over the last three years or so make them most deserving to be a part of the national set-up.Here is a list of some of the finest players who lost their chances and are still awaiting their moments:

#1 Khaya Zondo

A versatile cricketer who started his career as a wicket-keeper is now an integral part of Sunfoil Dolphins in the Ram Slam competition. Zondo, though only 25, has emerged to be a fine all-rounder serving the role of a keeper at a part-time level. Having played U-19 cricket for Kwa-Zulu Natal, he became the top scorer for his franchise in 2011/12 when he scored 259 in 11 outings for Impi, before securing a permanent spot in the Dolphin set-up.

In 2013/14, he became the second highest run-scorer for the Dolphins in his second season in first-class arena, with an impressive average of nearly forty. He was a central figure in the Dolphins’ triumph in the domestic T-20 competition in 2013, which confirmed Dolphins their place in the Champions League T-20 in India.

Zondo was also a part of the South-African A team that toured India in July/August this year and scored at an average of thirty-eight.

However, for Zondo, unfair selection strategies and constant preference for white players like Dane Villas and Stiaan Van Zyl, he hardly got a chance to play in the national team. He was unjustly ruled out of the test squad when the West Indies toured South Africa as Stiaan Van Zyl got his cap. Though this is not the first instance where a player has been mistreated, Zondo would have to fight his skin out to persuade the biased selectors to put him ahead of some of his counterparts.

#2 Justin Ontong

The 36-year old veteran was always there waiting to earn his place before somebody like J.P Duminy and Boeta Dippenar out-stroked him out of contention. Ontong was initially considered a T-20 specialist whose all-round abilities benefitted the team; nevertheless lack of regular opportunities and subsequent degradation of performances put him out of view.

A career spanning more than 15 years, the man who made his ODI debut way back in 2001, was always looked over when it came to playing in the ODI line-up. At a time when young players like De Villiers and Neil Mckenzie looked out of sorts and hardly performed, and Ontong deserved a chance, the South African selectors stuck with their white Afrikaners and bereaved Ontong many more matches, which he deserved to have played.

What was worse, when he got his chance, he got the number 8 slot, to bat behind the likes of Pollock and Klusener.

Though his chances of playing for South Africa are almost over, he still goes about his captaincy duties pretty well for his Cape Town franchise.

#3 Sybrand Engelbrecht

Sybrand Engelbrecht is one of the finest players in the South African domestic circuit, averaging annually over 35 for Western Province in his first-class career. Sybrand was part of the South African U-19 team that reached the finals in Malaysia, losing to Virat Kohli and co. His brilliant fielding techniques drew instant comparisons with Jonty Rhodes. Since then, Sybrand has always been poking into the selection doors, performing consistently with the bat and contributing equally with his fielding glamour.

However, seven years have gone and yet he has not got a solitary chance to prove his qualities. Rille Rossow and Morne Van Wyk, simply on the account of being top-order players were picked ahead of him- Van Wyk for the 2011 WC and Rossow for 2015 WC in Australia and New Zealand. Sybrand’s dynamics as a late order batter was crucial in the Cape Cobras clinching triumph in the 2014 Ram Slam series. His ability to bowl part-time off spin is also noteworthy, picking almost a wicket in every T-20 innings he has played.

Sybrand is one of the few quality players in their mid-twenties still awaiting their international chances and unless the South African selectors rise above their orthodox selection policies, Engelbrecht would have to wait too long.

#4 Thami Tsolekile

Many expected Tsolekile to replace Mark Boucher after the latter retired, but unfortunately for him, his own Lions team-mate Quinton De Kock was the CSA’s first choice replacement. Whether it was de Kock’s precocious talents or the Board’s racial policies, Tsolekile was again thrown out of the selection doors and till now, the 31-year old veteran has not been given a chance.

Only three International tests are what he has in his locker, a run which ended prematurely in 2004 when he was only 20. On drawing comparisons, Quinton De kock, who has flopped pretty much in all nine innings, barring one where he scored a 81, at the age of 22, is still fancied to retain his slot now that Dane Vilas has flopped. But why not Tsolekile, he is 31! He is certainly more experienced than someone like De Kock .

This is rather the fortune black players in South Africa have where even solid, consistent performances do not win you a place, as seen in most instances. Tsolekile has broken almost all provincial records, even which had previously been owned by Jacques Kallis, but as far as the selection committee is concerned, he is presently not in their radar.

#5 Vaughn van Jaarsveld

Van Jaarsveld would have definitely been a better choice for the South Africans ahead of Rilee Rossouw in the 2015 World Cup. A strong left-handed batter, Van Jaarsveld has been the backbone for Highveld Lions along with Neil Mckenzie for some time. His boundary hitting prowess mingled with his sensible rotating abilities make him a perfect fit for the South African middle-order.

Given only two One-day chances in his career in Australia, Van Jaarsveld is definitely more consistent and versatile these days than before. Even in this year’s Ram Slam series, he has plundered four half-centuries with a couple of scores above forty.

A tremendous fielder at cover and mid-on, Van Jaarsveld has played cricket both in South Africa and England, where he played for Warwickshire. A regular in the South African A team, Van Jaarsveld is still waiting on his chance to represent his national team.