Bavuma fit to lead Proteas at T20 World Cup
The
Proteas squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia has been announced
and the returning Temba Bavuma will be fit to lead the side after recovering
from an elbow injury that has sidelined him since June.
The 15-player squad and three travelling reserves will also make the trip to India ahead of the tournament for the three-match T20I series later this month.
Rassie van der Dussen has been ruled out of the tournament due to a fracture of his left index finger that he sustained during the second Test against England in Manchester. He will require surgery and is expected to take up to at least six weeks to recover.
All 15 players are capped, with 22-year-old Tristan Stubbs receiving his maiden World Cup call up following an impressive outing in the recent T20I series against England.
Other notable selections include Rilee Rossouw and Wayne Parnell, with the selectors naming three travelling reserves in Bjorn Fortuin, Marco Jasen and Andile Phehlukwayo.
As with selecting any side for a major competition, convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang found this side a tough one to finalise.
“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,” Mpitsang said.
“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 sorts of performances only bode well for us heading to the World Cup. We are delighted with the mix of players that has been chosen and look forward to watching them represent the country in Australia.”
Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe added: “I would like to congratulate all the players who have made the final cut for the World Cup; every single one of them deserve their place on the plane to Australia. The squad covers all bases and provides us with multiple options in every area whether it batting or bowling. I am confident this group will make South Africans proud when they begin their campaign next month.
“Before that we have an important tour to India beginning in the coming weeks and this will provide some valuable game time for Head Coach Mark Boucher and his team to finalise their preparations for the tournament.”
Before they do battle Down Under the Proteas will face India in both an ODI and T20I series in India.
The squad departs for India on 23 September.
South Africa squad - ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022 and T20I series against India
Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Gbets Warriors), Wayne Parnell (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Dwaine Pretorius (North West Dragons), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Rilee Rossouw (ITEC Knights), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tristan Stubbs (Gbets Warriors).
Travelling Reserves
Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Gbets Warriors) and Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).
