“He’s played a critical role for the team”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Former South Africa coach Eric Simons believes that the Proteas will find it hard to find a suitable replacement for pace bowler Kyle Abbott.

Abbott, who has become an integral part of South Africa’s pace attack as of late following a string of strong performances, brought his international career to an end after signing a Kolpak deal with Hampshire.

With the deal done and Abbott set to ply his trade in England, it means that South Africa will have to find someone to fill his shoes prior to the start of the third Test against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg on January 12.

Simons also expressed his concern about the impact the 29-year-old’s decision has had on the national team’s morale.

“He’s played a critical role for the team. I wonder if it’s going to affect the morale of the team,” Simons said. “We talk about the team being so tight-knit and having such a sense of unity. I think they’re going to miss him a lot.

“The way he bowls. It is relentless pressure. He gives nothing away. When you have a guy like that and Vernon Philander to keep things tight, a guy like [Kagiso] Rabada, who is still young, can afford to be a little wayward and grow in a stable environment.”

Even though South Africa are likely to replace Abbott with Wayne Parnell or the uncapped Duanne Olivier, who was called up for the third Test, Simons is more worried about the long-term effect Abbott’s decision will have on the Proteas.

“The question is, can you find someone to do the same things Abbott can do and also be able to support Rabada’s development?” he said.