The two uncapped players picked in South Africa’s preliminary squad, which Aiden Markram will captain, are batsman Ryan Rickelton and bowler Ottniel Baartman. The T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in the West Indies and the USA.
With 530 runs at an average of 58.88 for MI Cape Town, Rickelton was the best run scorer in the SA20, while Baartman claimed 18 wickets in eight games for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, the two-time champions.
Three players that competed in the 2022 T20 World Cup who are not in the present squad are Wayne Parnell, Temba Bavuma, and Rilee Rossouw. Another significant absence is Rassie van der Dussen, who was unable to participate in the 2022 edition due to a fractured finger. Along with Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi, a member of the 2022 squad, has been nominated as a traveling reserve for the competition.
The following players are representing South Africa in the T20 World Cup: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Tristan Stubbs.
The pace assault will be spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, who is expected to play for South Africa again after a nine-month break. The other fast-bowling options are Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, and Baartman. The team’s principal spinners are Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj, with Bjorn Fortuin in the setup. Markram and Tristan Stubbs can also bowl spin.
Along with Markram and Rickelton, the batting lineup for South Africa consists of Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Stubbs.
Given the quantity of T20 cricket played recently and the quality of play displayed, choosing this group was very difficult. Head coach Rob Walter congratulated Ryan and Ottniel, the two uncapped players, on their selection.
“In 2024, our players put on some amazing performances, which made my position extremely difficult. Nevertheless, I am pleased and assured that we have selected the best team, one that will undoubtedly have every opportunity to succeed in the USA and the West Indies.”
A provisional roster for South Africa’s three-match T20I series against the West Indies, which takes place prior to the T20 World Cup, has also been announced. However, this team may alter based on the players that are currently participating in the IPL’s availability.
“We will begin our championship preparations with a three-match Twenty20 International series against the West Indies. Unfortunately, the majority of the players who are currently playing in the IPL will not be joining us on this tour. However, it does give others a chance, particularly those who performed well in the CSA T20 Challenge. The group’s captain will be chosen closer to the event, according to Walter.
The following players are the South African squad for the WI T20Is: Ryan Rickelton, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, and Rassie van der Dussen.
On June 3 in New York, South Africa, who are in Group D, will play their first T20 World Cup encounter against Sri Lanka. At the same location, they will play Bangladesh on June 10 and the Netherlands on June 8. They play their final group stage match on June 14 in St. Vincent versus Nepal.
