South Africa has copped a fair amount of criticism for the decision to transform middle-order batsmen into openers. Stiaan van Zyl struck a superb century on test debut as middle-order batsman, but when transformed to an international opener, failed.
Stephen Cook started his international career as an opener with a century and has struck three tons and three half-centuries since then, but was axed after only managing 57 runs in his final seven innings.
Mark Boucher, the Multiply Titans coach, was scathing in his criticism of the selectors’ decision to insert Theunis de Bruyn, a number-three batsman as opener for the final test against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton. He warned that you could be throwing De Bruyn for the proverbial wolves by selecting him in a specialist opener.
