South Africa Announces Squad for ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023

Of the first eight teams to get ICC Full Membership status, South Africa remains the only one to have never reached a men’s World Cup final. To win the World Cup, they have to overcome the pressure and not be choked in crucial stages of the match. The Proteas Men’s white-ball head coach, Rob Walter, reflected on the thinking behind the squad selection for the World Cup. “It’s great having a mix of experienced players and players who will be competing in their first 50-over World Cup – you get that sort of exuberance of excitement to be doing something for the first time. Similar to the level of experience, we have endeavored to curate a well-balanced group of players and skills, that will allow us to effectively adapt to the conditions in India. Under the leadership of Temba and the senior group, I have the utmost faith this squad will make South Africa proud.

South Africa 15-players Squad:

Cricket South Africa named their squad for the marquee event on Tuesday, September 5, which will be led by their regular ODI skipper, Temba Bavuma. Eight out of the 15 players have earned their maiden World Cup call-ups, including captain Bavuma. A notable name in South Africa’s World Cup mix is right-arm pacer Gerald Coetzee, who made his international debut earlier this year. Coetzee has taken five wickets in his two one-day international appearances, including a three-wicket haul on his ODI debut. Here is the 15-member squad that will undoubtedly impact their team performance in the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023:

Temba Bavuma(c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock(wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen(wk), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Sisanda Magala, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada.

Experienced Veterans:

The squad comprises stalwart batters such as Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, and Rassie van der Dussen. Star wicketkeeper-batter de Kock has also made significant news by announcing his retirement from ODI cricket after the conclusion of the World Cup. They all have a proven track record of delivering under pressure on the international stage.

Pace Battery:

One exciting aspect of the South African unit is the depth of their pace attack. Apart from the usual suspects – Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, and all-rounder Marco Jansen –they have also got Sisanda Magala and Gerald Coetzee. These pacemakers have the ability to generate raw pace and bounce, which can be a potent weapon on Indian pitches.

Spin Wizards:

Their spin attack comprises their usual left-arm specialists, finger-spinner Keshav Maharaj and wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, while Markram can fill in with his off breaks. These spinners have been in excellent form in recent years and will be vital in providing crucial breakthroughs during the tournament. Since the tournament is taking place in India, spinners are expected to play a vital role due to the suitable subcontinental conditions.

Notable Omissions:

One of the significant talking points of the squad announcement was the omission of young batting sensation Dewald Brevis. Despite his promising performances in domestic and franchise cricket, the selectors decided to leave him out for the upcoming tournament.

Deadline to Make Further Changes in the Squad:

While the deadline to submit the World Cup squad to the ICC is September 5, teams can make changes until September 28 without needing approval from the ICC. South Africa will begin their World Cup on Saturday, October 7, with a match against Sri Lanka at Delhi, while their league stage ends with a clash against Afghanistan on Friday, November 10, at Ahmedabad. They have warm-up games against Afghanistan on September 29 and New Zealand on October 2.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, South Africa enters the ICC World Cup 2023 with high aspirations under the captaincy of Temba Bavuma. The previous World Cup in England was disappointing for South Africa as they failed to qualify for the knockout stages, finishing in the bottom half of the standings. With a talented squad and key players in prime form, the Proteas aim to claim their maiden ODI World Cup title and make a mark in the cricketing world. The stage is set, and the anticipation is palpable as South Africa prepares to embark on this historic journey.