The T20 World Cup squad picture became clearer following the Proteas’ series victory over England. RYAN VREDE assesses who is going, who played themselves into contention, and who will miss out as it stands.
The Proteas rebounded from a disappointing start to the series to put together back-to-back wins, with Sunday’s 90-run victory in Southampton the most impressive.
They have just two more matches before finalising their squad. This task has been complicated by the strong performances of a number of players whose form has been questionable, or who took the chances offered to them in the series.
This is what the T20 World Cup squad picture looks like as it stands.
CERTAINTIES
Temba Bavuma
The captain is recovering from injury but he will lead the side in Australia. His form needs to improve dramatically for him to be an asset to the side.
Quinton de Kock
Had an average series against England, which continues his poor run in T20 cricket. He hasn’t scored a T20I half-century since October 2021, and not more than 34 in his past 10 international innings. He’ll go to the World Cup because of his match-winning potential, but the Proteas desperately need him to recover from this slump.
Kagiso Rabada
Missed the final T20I against England through injury, but he looked rusty when he did play. However, he is their premier bowler and will lead the attack in Australia.
David Miller
One of the best T20 players in the game at present. His striking power in the middle order is central to the Proteas’ potency in the format.
Tabraiz Shamsi
He was roasted for his performance in the first T20I in Bristol, but showed his class in the next two, finishing as the series’ leading wicket-taker. Will be one of two spinners the Proteas take to the showpiece tournament, along with …
Keshav Maharaj
I can’t overstate Maharaj’s value to the Proteas. He is able to take the new ball in the powerplay and choke the opposition, then return in the middle overs and do the same. This gives the Proteas so much tactical versatility and takes immense pressure off the rest of the attack.
Lungi Ngidi
The standout Proteas seamer in the series, Ngidi showed his maturity as an intelligent and skilled operator. He finished as the series’ second-leading wicket-taker, with an overall economy rate of just 6.92. He will be a key part of the pace attack in Australia.
Anrich Nortje
Nortje’s performances suggest he is over the injuries that have plagued him for the past year. He bowled quickly, without sacrificing accuracy, and did so consistently. He will be a handful on hard Australian wickets.
PROBABLES
Aiden Markram
Has had a strong run in T20 cricket for the past 18 months and underlined his value with a well-constructed half-century in the final T20I on Sunday. Also offers his team a bowling option.
Andile Phelukwayo
Appears to have edged out Dwaine Pretorius as the team’s premier all-rounder. He is an asset to the team when he is playing well, but his inconsistency is concerning. He goes on the basis of what he offers in potential, rather than the certainty that comes with consistent performances.
Dwaine Pretorius
He has gone from being the team’s leading all-rounder to Phelukwayo’s backup. This despite being better across all key metrics for his role. I feel for him.
Reeza Hendricks
Owes Bavuma a massive thank you for his expected inclusion in the World Cup squad. Had the skipper not been injured, Hendricks would likely have carried drinks. Instead, he took the opportunity and finished as the series’ leading run-scorer, with a strike rate of nearly 160.
Tristan Stubbs
Played like a veteran, when in fact he is just a pup. A potent one, but a pup nonetheless. His hitting power is matched only by David Miller. And while he may not make the starting XI, having him as an option in Australia significantly amplifies the Proteas’ threat.
Heinrich Klaasen
Klaasen is likely to make the squad as a backup wicketkeeper, but he is yet to transfer his impressive domestic T20 form to the international stage.
ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
Wayne Parnell
Made a solid return to international cricket against India, but missed out in the England series which should be interpreted as his World Cup chances being extremely slim.
Marco Jansen
Like Parnell, didn’t get a look-in against England and will most likely be watching the World Cup from home.
Rilee Rossouw
He was excellent in the second T20I, scoring 96 off just 55 deliveries, and got 31 off 18 in the decider. That, combined with him being a lefty and the tactical challenges that present to opposition bowlers who may be asked to switch between bowling to him and a right-hander, may be enough to help him edge out Rassie van der Dussen.
Rassie van der Dussen
Van der Dussen finds himself in what must be an unexpected battle for his World Cup place. Coming into the England series he would have been considered a certainty for the squad; in fact, a certain starter. His record is strong, averaging nearly 40 at a strike rate of 130. But Rossouw’s power hitting has offered the selectors a dynamic option, which appears to have interested them more than the relative safety Van der Dussen provides.
