– Cape Town With Cricket South Africa poised to unveil the Proteas T20 squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia next month on Tuesday morning, there has been much conjecture about who will travel Down Under.
The most-discussed topic is, of course, the composition of the Proteas batting lineup, especially the top order. Recent series against England and Ireland were resounding victories for the Proteas, who prevailed 2-1 and 2-0, respectively.
Importantly, the hitters set the tone, with Reeza Hendricks’ Player of the Series efforts in both series leading the way. Hendricks scored 180 runs averaging 60 with a strike-rate of 156.52 against England and 116 runs averaging 58 with a strike-rate of 124.73 against Ireland.
The 33-year-old Lions great is unquestionably in the best form of his life, as evidenced by his performance in the Global T20 Namibia, where he scored three more half-centuries in four innings, including an unbeaten 94 off 59 balls against the Lahore Qalanders in the final.
In addition, the return of Kolpak exile Rilee Rossouw (131 runs, average 65.50, strike-rate 170.12) and the emergence of Tristan Stubbs (95 runs, average 47.50, strike-rate 219.90) has provided significant T20 batting depth, especially with the Proteas already possessing fourth-ranked Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen (13), Quinton de Kock (20), and David Miller (37).
This leaves the Proteas selectors in a predicament as to where skipper Temba Bavuma slots into the team, let alone the starting XI, given that he missed the United Kingdom tour due to injury.
Victor Mpitsang, the national convenor of selectors, has made it plain that Bavuma will lead the Proteas white-ball squads to Australia once his elbow has recovered.
So, who will be the batter that fails to reach base?
Van der Dussen’s damaged finger has kept him out of this weekend’s Test series decider against England at the Oval, but he should be fully recovered by the time the T20 World Cup begins.
In eight matches this year, South Africa’s wicket-keeper/opener De Kock has scored only 67 runs at an average of 9.57 and a strike-rate of 100.00.
The Proteas will not travel to the T20 World Cup in Australia without De Kock, despite the chaos he caused at last year’s competition in Dubai.
That leaves Heinrich Klaasen. The reserve wicketkeeper. Klaasen displayed his ability on his previous tour to India, where he produced a match-winning innings in the second game of the series, and in England, where he made a handful of cameos.
As each squad is permitted to travel with three substitutes, the Proteas could utilize his skills in the event of a wicket-keeping emergency.
The bowlers choose themselves, with Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj poised to be joined by Markram’s occasional off-spin.
After a few of quiet T20’s, Kagiso Rabada will rise to the occasion, as he did at Lord’s in the Test series, in preparation for the big game. Lungi Ngidi’s variations have shown to be a significant asset in shorter formats, while Anrich Nortje will offer the team with raw speed.
This leaves the generalists. It has been the subject of speculation for quite some time. Andile Phehlukwayo’s T20 aspirations were revitalized by two critical wickets during the England series, but his economy rate of 11.36 still raises numerous worries.
Dwaine Pretorius’ wide yorker at the end of the game, which was so effective in the United Arab Emirates last year, appears to have been figured out by the opposing batsmen.
Another Kolpak returnee, Wayne Parnell, was the most brilliant with the ball, taking a career-best 5/30 against Ireland in Bristol in the final T20I. In addition, he compliments the Proteas’ attack with a variation utilizing his left arm.
Identical left-handed Marco Jansen might be a revelation on the hard-bouncing Australian surfaces, but he has not been given enough opportunity at T20 International level to merit inclusion and may have to settle for a spot on the bench.
PROBABLE PROTEAS T20 WORLD CUP TEAM
Temba Bavuma (capt)‚ Quinton de Kock‚ Reeza Hendricks‚ Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram‚ David Miller‚ Lungi Ngidi‚ Anrich Nortjé‚ Wayne Parnell‚ Dwaine Pretorius‚ Kagiso Rabada‚ Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi‚ Tristan Stubbs‚ Rassie van der Dussen.
Reserves: Andile Phehlukwayo, Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen
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