Abbott jets-off to World Cup
THE national cricket selectors have shown their faith in Zululand pace man Kyle Abbott by including him in the 15-man Protea squad for the World Cup starting on 14 February. And it will now be up to the lanky quick bowler to prove that the trust placed in him will be justified. He has proven …
THE national cricket selectors have shown their faith in Zululand pace man Kyle Abbott by including him in the 15-man Protea squad for the World Cup starting on 14 February.
And it will now be up to the lanky quick bowler to prove that the trust placed in him will be justified.
He has proven that he has the mental capacity to deal with pressure situations in his previous outings for the national squad, notably destroying nine Pakistani batsmen in his Test debut two years ago.
The intensity of a World Cup brings a different type of pressure though, but Abbot has a steely resolve and could well emerge in a pivotal role as he is far more consistent than Wayne Parnell who tends to crack at crucial times.
The 27-year-old local mean machine packs huge heat with ball in hand and was no doubt rewarded for a phenomenal season at the Sunfoil Dolphins.
Abbott picked up the Domestic Players’ Player of the Season and SACA’s Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year awards at the 2014 Cricket South Africa awards ceremony, after ending last season’s first class competition as the top wicket-taker with 49 scalps, and also leading the four-day format wicket table with 22 wickets.
Kyle has played 9 ODIs for SA, taken 5 wickets and managed 34 runs, but this will be his first World Cup campaign.
Joining a star-studded line-up will certainly boost his confidence entering the global stage.
The team will be lead by in-form AB de Villiers, with Hashim Amla adding his experience and knowlede as the vice captain role.
The Proteas will have a tough task and long road ahead, but will be entering the tournament as one of the favourites.
The team is currently ranked second in the World ODI rankings and will play in pool B with the West Indies, India, Pakistan, Ireland, Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates.
Thank you for all the messages everyone!! ! #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/KtIPB9VdAt
— Kyle Abbott (@Kyle_Abbott87) January 7, 2015
Proteas World Cup squad: AB de Villiers (Titans, captain), Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras, vice captain), Kyle Abbott (Dolphins), Farhaan Behardien (Titans), Quinton de Kock (Lions), JP Duminy (Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Imran Tahir (Dolphins), David Miller (Dolphins), Morné Morkel (Titans),Wayne Parnell (Warriors), Aaron Phangiso (Lions), Vernon Philander (Cobras), Rilee Rossouw (Knights), Dale Steyn (Cobras).
