Despite being thrashed and embarrassed in their own backyard by Australia last week in a three-day T20 series, white-ball head coach Rob Walter has announced a capable and strong enough squad to challenge for the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
On Tuesday, Walter unveiled his 15-player squad for the world cup that will be staged in India from October 5 – November 19.
Captain fantastic Temba Bavuma has been bestowed with the huge responsibility to lead the South Africans in his first 50-over world cup amongst other seven players who have earned themselves their maiden world cup call-ups.
Bavuma will be under pressure to lead the team to glory, following the Proteas’ disappointing run at the T20 World Cup in Australia last year November – where they failed to qualify for the knockout rounds – which led to him coming under fire.
Wicketkeeper Quinton De Kock has also confirmed he will be retiring from ODI cricket after the conclusion of the global showpiece. De Kock will look to seal it off with the world cup trophy and a winner’s medal hanging around his neck.
The squad relatively looks similar to the one of 18 months ago, with a host of players returning to the team and not many emerging talents being added to the squad.
Sunday World takes a close look at some of the stars who will be missing out on the global showpiece, as well as the surprise inclusion in the squad.
Dewald Brevis:
Despite being recently called up to the limited overs squad setup, young batting sensation Brevis has missed out on the final squad that will travel to India due to injury.
Brevis rose to fame at the 2019 U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, where he was the stand-out performer and named Player of the Tournament.
Wayne Parnell:
Veteran quick Parnell has been ruled out of the tournament as his recurring shoulder injury has worsened. Parnell would have been the only member of the 2011 World Cup squad to feature in this year’s tournament. The 34-year-old left-arm fast bowler is expected to continue his road to recovery at his franchise Pretoria Capitals.
Tristan Stubbs:
Stubbs is also another youngster who will not be boarding the plane to India, after his audition with the Proteas did not go as anticipated.
Apart from struggling to adjust to the pace of international cricket, Stubbs has a bright future ahead of him.
Gerald Coetzee:
(Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)
Coetzee was probably the only surprise inclusion in the Proteas’ World Cup squad, with the 22-year-old making the cut having only made two one-day international (ODI) appearances previously.
Coetzee made his ODI debut against the West Indies in March this year, where he showcased his high quality fast bowling.
The likes of fast-bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, star batsmen Aiden Markram, David Miller and skipper Bavuma will all be expected to step up and bring their A-game if they are to regain the confidence of the nation.
Based on the names that were pulled out of the hat by Walter, it goes without saying that the Proteas are brimming with talent and have every ingredient for success in a tournament of the magnitude of the world cup.
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