Aiden Markram will captain South Africa at the upcoming T20 World Cup to be held in the West Indies and USA, with two uncapped players named in the squad.
Fresh Faces Earn World Cup Berths
Ryan Rickelton, the leading run-scorer in the recent SA20 with 530 runs, and fast bowler Ottniel Baartman, who impressed with 18 wickets in the tournament, have been rewarded for their domestic form with national call-ups.
Experienced Core Missing Out
Temba Bavuma, Rilee Rossouw, Wayne Parnell, and Rassie van der Dussen are notable absentees from the squad that featured in the 2022 World Cup. Lungi Ngidi, another member of the 2022 team, finds himself named as a travelling reserve alongside Nandre Burger.
Full Squad Announced
The full South African T20 World Cup squad is as follows:
- Aiden Markram (captain)
- Ottniel Baartman (uncapped)
- Gerald Coetzee
- Quinton de Kock
- Bjorn Fortuin
- Reeza Hendricks
- Marco Jansen
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Keshav Maharaj
- David Miller
- Anrich Nortje (returning from injury)
- Kagiso Rabada
- Ryan Rickelton (uncapped)
- Tabraiz Shamsi
- Tristan Stubbs
Pace Attack Boasts Familiar Names
Kagiso Rabada will spearhead the pace attack, with Anrich Nortje set for an international return after a nine-month absence. Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, and Baartman provide additional fast-bowling options.
Spin Department Covered
Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi are the leading spinners, with Bjorn Fortuin offering another option. Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs can also contribute with their spin bowling.
Strong Batting Line-Up
The batting line-up features established names like Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller. Newcomers Markram and Rickelton will be looking to make their mark on the international stage.
Coach Confident in Squad Selection
Head coach Rob Walter acknowledged the difficulty in selecting the squad due to the abundance of talent on display. He expressed his faith in the chosen players and their ability to challenge for the title.
Separate Squad for West Indies T20Is
A separate provisional squad has been named for the three-match T20I series against West Indies ahead of the World Cup. This squad is subject to change depending on player availability in the IPL.
South Africa’s T20 World Cup campaign begins on June 3rd against Sri Lanka in New York.
