South Africa’s quest for their maiden World Cup title continues as they head into the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, being co-hosted by West Indies and USA. The Proteas boast a strong squad, with plenty of experience on front.
With the biennial tournament approaching, let’s take a look at the probable playing XI of South Africa:
1. Quinton de Kock: At the top of the order, the experienced Quinton de Kock is a near certainty. His aggressive batting with a strike rate of 137 and a century to his name in T20Is makes him a crucial pick.
2. Reeza Hendricks: Partnering him could be Reeza Hendricks, known for his consistency with 14 fifties in T20Is and a strike rate of 130.
3. Aiden Markram: The captain brings solidity at number three. His staggering strike rate of over 150 and 9 half-centuries provide stability in the middle order.
4. Tristan Stubbs: An exciting youngster, Tristan Stubbs, could find a place with his high strike rate of 155 in T20 cricket. His inclusion would add an X-factor to the batting.
5. Heinrich Klaasen: A dynamic wicket-keeper batter (722 runs, 148 SR, 4 fifties) ideal for the middle-lower order.
6. David Miller: The finisher extraordinaire (2270 runs, 145 SR, 2 centuries, 6 fifties) brings power-hitting to the death overs.
7. Kagiso Rabada: The bowling attack of South Africa looks potent. Kagiso Rabada, a world-class pacer with 58 wickets in T20Is, is a definite starter.
8. Marco Jansen: Joining him could be the young Marco Jansen, who has experience in other T20 leagues and offers a left-arm pace option.
9. Gerald Coetzee: He is another fast-bowling option with impressive figures in his limited T20I appearances.
10. Keshav Maharaj: The wily spinner (24 wickets, economy 7.39) provides control and variation.
11. Tabraiz Shamsi: The Chinaman bowler (78 wickets, economy 7.39) brings a different dimension to the attack.
Disclaimer: All statistics mentioned in brackets are for Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) only.
