Ryan Rickelton doesn’t expect to be in the Proteas squad for this year’s ODI World Cup but hopes to establish himself in the national set-up this season.

The 26-year-old, who has been prolific with the bat for the Central Gauteng Lions in one-day domestic cricket, made his long-awaited ODI debut during the home series against the West Indies in March, scoring 14 and three.

He then had an operation on his troublesome left ankle.

MORE: Ankle op will open doors for me – Rickelton

With wicketkeeper-batsmen Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen automatic white-ball selections, Rickelton admits he is unlikely to go to the World Cup.

“I don’t think I will be a part of that squad,” he told News24. “The one-day team has made some massive strides and the players that obviously are making that 11 are phenomenally good players with even more experience under their belt.

“If the opportunity comes, it will be a hell of an experience and I would love to be on that plane, but obviously, there are a lot of guys in front of me and, and I do understand that.”

Rickelton has earned four Test caps since making his debut in March 2022, the last of which came in the second match against the West Indies at the Wanderers in March 2023.

Before that encounter, coach Shukri Conrad said Rickelton, who hadn’t been selected for the first Test at Centurion, was “going to be big part of Proteas side” and the player hopes that will be the case.

“I would like to be involved, especially in that format. With the one-day side, the World Cups always have a way of changing the course of anything.

“I’m looking to try and establish myself in all of it. It’s easier said than done, but I’d like to think that being afforded a contract kind of shows a bit of faith and a bit of opportunity coming my way.”