All is not well with South African cricket at the moment.

The recent Test thumping at the hands of the Poms is evidence of that, the Proteas rolling over and playing dead in three of the four tests, and there seems to be a lack of depth in some key departments.

It doesn’t help that a number of players on the cusp of national selection have headed overseas, and it really doesn’t help when we have a world beater like AB de Villiers feet up on the couch tweeting instead of playing.

It’s the decision of the latter that led to a nasty exchange between a number of former Proteas players over the weekend.

It all started with Herschelle Gibbs tweeting about skipper Faf du Plessis defending AB, Faf saying de Villiers has earned the right to pick and choose when he wants to play for his country:

Gibbs then sent out these further tweets:

Former Proteas middle order batsman Ashwell Prince agreed with Gibbs, tweeting his agreement:

And so begins the feud with former Proteas spinner Paul Harris weighing in. Details below via SA Cricket Mag:

And here comes Simon Harmer, another former spinner who now plays in England, signing as a Kolpak player and effectively ending his Proteas international career:

Ashwell also seems less than impressed with former Protea bowler and lower order tonker Johan van der Wath (thanks for that 438 game, Johan):

And he wasn’t done with Harmer:

It’s obvious that all isn’t well within the Proteas camp, Faf chirping Vernon Philander for his fitness being a recent low point. Truth be told Vern could probably do with a talking to, but that kind of thing goes on behind closed doors.

As for sticking up for AB – everyone is just upset that we don’t get to enjoy watching one of the world’s premier talents on the field, duking it out against the best the opposition can throw at him.

Just announce your retirement and get it over with, pal, because it’s clear your silence is creating a toxic environment.

And guys, pick up the phone before you tweet.

[source:sacricket]