SA view: Selectors need to rethink the best way to replace Jacques Kallis after sound thumping

THE post-Jacques Kallis era has just begun for South Africa, and replacing him is already posing a big selection headache.

GRAEME SMITH may well be wishing he’d stayed in Dublin.

It was only three weeks ago that the South African skipper was granted Irish citizenship (his wife, Morgan Deane, is an Irish singer). That prompted speculation Smith was considering drawing the curtain on his international career - claims Smith subsequently denied.News_Rich_Media: Leading into Australia's tour of South Africa, cricket fans couldn't wait to find out just how far the Aussie side had come in recent months, following the Ashes whitewash. Well, that question's now been answered emphatically, explains Stuart Clark.

But with his squad selection and tactics now under question from his home media after a chastening 281-run defeat to Australia at Centurion, Smith could be forgiven for craving the relative anonymity of a dark corner in a Temple Bar boozer.

Kepler Wessels, writing for the Super Sport website, insisted Smith and the South African selectors had to respond to the threat posed by Mitchell Johnson by reconfiguring their XI and naming an extra batsman.News_Rich_Media: Mitchell Johnson's dismissal of Graeme Smith on day two of Australia's Test against South Africa revived memories of his stunning performance to see off the captain in 2009.

Smith is all too aware of Johnson’s menace. the left-arm tearaway dismissed him for 10 and 4 at Centurion - the first dismissal the direct result of targeted, brutal short-pitched bowling.

“There is nothing like genuine pace to expose areas of weakness in technique, temperament and physical courage,” Wessels wrote.

“In my view South Africa have to go back to the seven-batsmen strategy for the rest of the series. Bring Quinton de Kock in at number six and Kyle Abbot as the fourth seamer for the next test in Port Elizabeth where the pitch will be slower and, if prepared accordingly, will seam as well. News_Image_File: Graeme Smith has been given plenty to think about.

“This will mean that JP Duminy will be the solitary spinner who will bat at seven.

“As well as changing the combination, the Proteas need to look for a brave, passionate approach that will put everything on the line during the next test.

“The batsmen, in particular, will have to take stock of the situation and work out individual game plans that can deal with the threat Johnson poses.”

Wessels was not alone in calling for a recalibration of South Africa’s starting line-up.

Rob Houwing, writing for South Africa’s Sport24website, believes the Proteas erred in replacing retired all-rounder Jacques Kallis - the third highest Test run-scorer of all time - with a bowling all-rounder in Ryan McLaren.News_Rich_Media: In their respective press conferences after the completion of the First Test, opposing captains Michael Clarke and Graeme Smith had very different tales to tell after a one sided match thoroughly dominated by Australia.

Form concerns surrounding Alviro Petersen, JP Duminy and the great Hashim Amla reinforced the need for additional batting support, Houwing argued.

“It was a major statement of confidence in the ability of the remaining batsmen in the side, given that South Africa were henceforth going to go one specialist willow-wielder light and cause promotions up the order for men like Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy,” Houwing wrote.

“Frankly, it seems a no-brainer to me that the Proteas simply have to shore up their batting for St George’s Park, such has been the impact made by the left-arm thunderbolt Johnson.

“The pitch in the Friendly City may be flatter, but it is also not averse to exhibiting uneven bounce as games wear on, so that should stay right up Johnson’s alley.”News_Rich_Media: Faf du Plessis' two opposite dismissals.

Smith’s decision to send the Australians into bat upon winning the toss at Centurion also came under scrutiny in the South African media.

Smith conceded at the post-match press conference he had made the wrong decision in not allowing his batsmen first crack at a Centurion wicket that deteriorated rapidly over the four days.

Local pundits concurred.

“Australia took full advantage and plundered 397 runs in the first innings, noted South Africa’s Independent Online website. “It emerged the Proteas decided to bowl first based on statistics suggesting it would be more difficult to bat first.

“In reply to Australia’s 397, South Africa narrowly avoided the follow-on, scoring 206 and from then onwards, were forced to play catch-up.”