Hopefully the rookie Proteas won’t nearly choke like the seniors

After the first-choice seniors nearly choked on the foul odours of pressure and trying to impress for World Cup selection in the first T20 international against Sri Lanka, a fresher, less experienced squad will try and get the job done in more impressive fashion when the second match of the three-game series is held at Centurion on Friday night.

What could well be South Africa’s batting line-up at the World Cup contrived to tie the first game when they needed just 18 runs from the last four overs, with seven wickets in hand, to win; champion leg-spinner Imran Tahir subsequently saved their blushes by winning the Super Over contest.

And now, a squad without half-a-dozen of the stars who helped win the ODI series 5-0 (De Kock, Tahir, Du Plessis, Ngidi, Rabada and Nortje are all resting) will try and seal the T20 series win and hopefully show a lot more composure than was on display in the first game.

Some players, most notably Chris Morris and Aiden Markram on their home ground, have a point to prove after their treatment at the hands of the national selectors, but there is also change in the air with rookies such as Lutho Sipamla and the uncapped Sinethemba Qeshile in line for selection.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time in franchise cricket since last year and I just try and keep it simple at the crease. I’m trying to stay in the moment but I’m really excited. I’m just going to try and get in first, because I know I can catch up at the end – it’s quite difficult for a team to defend in front of and behind the wicket at the same time, and I’m quite an unorthodox player …

“It obviously takes time to develop and understand your game, it will take a couple of seasons before I get there. It’s difficult to block off all the outside noise sometimes, but I try to just focus on myself, just stay in the present and focus on my processes. But it’s a really welcoming environment and obviously it will be an honour and privilege to represent my country,” the 20-year-old Qeshile, a wicketkeeper/batsman, said of the prospect of making his Proteas debut.

There is also pressure on Reeza Hendricks, whose World Cup place is under threat after scoring just 42 runs in four innings in the ODI series, and all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius to nail down their trips to England in May.

For more sport your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.