Proteas need the right mix in T20 World Cup

Analysing South Africa’s Likely T20 World Cup Squad

The T20 Cricket World Cup is edging closer and closer, with every side in the world looking to solidify their squad for the competition – including the Proteas.

Leading bookmakers are not expecting South Africa to challenge, but this could work in their favour. The underdogs at a competition are generally able to work their way into the knockout stages of a competition with little hype around them, meaning they can concentrate on their own game.

If South Africa can manage this, then they will only likely grow in confidence as the matches go by. Of course, they must match this with victories, but if they can do that, then there is no telling how far they could go in the competition.

To do this, they will need to choose a solid team that can soak up pressure in big games, smash boundaries when needed, and take wickets regularly.

T20 talisman Quinton de Kock will feature for the side alongside captain Temba Bavuma, unless the two pick up injuries in the build-up to the competition.

De Kock provides a calming presence, while his glovework and ability with the bat will be vital to their chances in the tournament. Meanwhile, Bavuma will look to keep the runs flowing and the wickets coming as he tries to juggle captaincy and batting.

Dwaine Pretorius, Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller are our bets to feature prominently in the middle-order for South Africa across the tournament, with the three combining to provide explosive power, consistency and runs.

Things get a little murkier as you go down the order. We expect Kagiso Rabada to be the premier fast-bowling option, while Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi should feature in the squad.

Tristan Stubbs and Wayne Parnell started in the first T20 against India back in June, but it was Heinrich Klassen that excelled in the lower positions as he replaced De Kock for the second T20 against India and excelled with the bat.

In Australia, fast bowlers will be vital, with Rabada and Nortje likely having to take centre-stage in the wicket-taking charts. Batsmen that score consistently like De Kock and Van der Dussen will be crucial, while the exploits of the big-hitting Miller will likely have to come into play fairly regularly.

For the moment, we have named a provisional squad of 13 that should go to Australia, although South Africa’s final squad size will likely be different. A good mix of specialist batsmen, bowlers and all-rounders is vital for the side, especially if injuries or drops in form hit the team.

However, the Proteas will be confident that they can ruffle some feathers at the World Cup, with the following squad full of world-class talent.

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South Africa’s Likely T20 World Cup 2022 Squad

Temba Bavuma (c)

Quinton de Kock (wk)

Rassie van der Dussen

Dwaine Pretorius

David Miller

Heinrich Klassen

Kagiso Rabada

Keshav Maharaj

Anrich Nortje

Tabraiz Shamsi

Lungi Ngidi

Tristan Stubbs

Wayne Parnell