Returning Temba Bavuma will lead South Africa in the forthcoming T20 World Cup to be held in Australia and also in the limited overs rubbers against India preceding the marquee multi-team event.
Bavuma was ruled out of the ongoing England tour after he sustained an elbow injury in the fourth T20I versus India in June this year. Meanwhile, South Africa’s premier limited overs batsman Rassie van de Dussen has been ruled out of both the tournaments due to a left index finger injury that he sustained during the second Test against England at Manchester. He will undergo a surgery and is expected to be out of action for at least six weeks.
South Africa squad for T20 World Cup & T20Is vs India
Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs.
Other notable names included in the South African T20 squad are Rilee Rossouw, Tristan Stubbs and Wayne Parnell. Stubbs, who will play in his maiden World Cup, was in impressive form in the T20Is against England, where he averaged close to 50 and scored his runs at a strike rate of 215.9. On the other hand, Rossouw, who signed a Kolpak deal with Hampshire in 2017, returned to the South African set-up for the T20I series in England where he averaged 65.5.
Reeza Hendricks, who has been in fine form in T20Is, having notched up 296 runs in his las five matches, has also been picked. So South Africa now have a surfeit of top order options, with Aiden Makram, Quinton de Kock and Bavuma also in the mix. On the bowling front, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi will spearhead a formidable pace attack. Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj are the two frontline spinners, while Dwaine Pretorius is the main all-rounder.
South Africa have also named three travelling reserves for the T20 World Cup in Bjorn Fortuin, Marco Jansen and Andile Phehlukwayo. Incidentally, all 18 players are available to play in the T20I series against India from 28 September – 04 October.
CSA Convenor of Selectors Victor Mpitsang said: “This has been a really tough squad to select, simply because we had so many players in excellent form over the past few months and performing at a level that made the selectors sit up and notice them.
“Someone like Tristan Stubbs who was not in the frame a year ago has done incredibly well to force his way into the mix based on his performances and his selection should be an inspiration for every young player out there. We are also delighted to welcome back our captain Temba Bavuma from injury and we have no doubt his return will further galvanise the team.
“This group of players showed off their brilliant skill and talent when they overcame England in England recently. These sort of performances only bode well for us heading to the World Cup. Overall we are delighted with mix of players that have been chosen and look forward to watching them represent the country in Australia,” he added.
South Africa have also announced a 15-member squad for the three-match ODI rubber against India, with the three games taking place on October 6, 9 and 11. The likes of top order bat Janneman Malan and all-rounder Phelukwayo have found a place in the ODI squad. Phelukwayo is also a part of the reserves for the T20 World Cup.
