With the exciting T20 Cricket World Cup underway in the US and West Indies, white ball coach Rob Walter and his Proteas are already in full swing as they target their maiden world title.
South Africa won their opening game, when they rolled Sri Lanka for 77 and cruised with a six-wicket victory as the bowlers ramped up the heat in the “city that never sleeps”, New York for the first time.
Heading into the tournament, the focus and main concern was on how the South African bowlers would pull their weight and back up their daring batters in the US and Caribbean as they chase the world championship.
Having fallen short and missed out on the semi-finals at the previous two editions of the T20 World Cup in the India and Australia, there is now faith and confidence that the current group has what it takes to go all the way.
Sunday World looks at some of Walter’s fire-power that will be key in the Proteas’ quest to breaking there.
Anrich Nortje (fast bowler)
The Proteas paceman could not have asked for a better opening campaign with his remarkable bowling prowess that orchestrated the hammering of
Sri Lanka.
Nortje produced figures of 4/7 from his four overs and broke his own record for the best figures by a Proteas bowler in the men’s T20 World Cup.
He set his previous record in Sydney, Australia, in 2022 when he picked 4/10 against Bangladesh.
That was not only it for Nortje, as the feat saw him blast up the T20 International bowling rankings back then.
Kagiso Rabada (fast bowler)
On the back of an injury that forced him to return from the Indian Premier League early, Proteas’ pace ace Kagiso Rabada is fired up more than ever and looks to lead South Africa to T20 glory.
Rabada delivered to two scalps during their opener against the Sri Lankans and will be raring to hopefully continue to spearhead the Proteas all the way.
Aiden Markram (captain and all-rounder)
Proteas captain Aiden Markram forms part of the destructive top order batsmen who can, on any day, cause all sorts of problems and havoc for the bowlers that they come across.
Markram is one player that leads by example and a typical example of a player that lets his game speak for itself. His astute attitude on the field makes him the best suitable candidate for captain.
Markram will also look to use his 2014 amulet and become the first South Africa captain to win a cricket world cup with both the Under-19’s and senior team
Keshav Maharaj (spin bowler)
Spin bowlers are vitally important in the limited-overs game, as they play the role of restricting opponents scoring high runs while the fielding team picks up quick wickets. Keshav Maharaj is one such weapon for the Proteas when it comes to that aspect of the T20.
Maharaj also picked up two wickets in the first game against Sri Lanka. Supported by Tabriz Shamsi, Maharaj will undoubtably play an integral part for South African in picking up wickets, especially in the middle overs of the game.
