Mark Boucher’s Proteas have referred to as upon skilled heads of their bid for a first-ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup win.
Remarkably, the Proteas have by no means reached the ultimate of this competitors and have solely made the ultimate 4 on two events.
Despite that file, there isn’t any nice change to the squad that missed out on the 2021 semi-finals on internet run fee to eventual champions Australia, with simply 4 new names within the squad.
But even those that have been drafted in are acquainted faces, with Wayne Parnell and Rilee Rossouw each included after making their return to the T20 set-up after a number of years away from the fold.
So will the outdated guard be capable of steer South Africa to a maiden T20 crown or will their wait go on?
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2022 T20 World Cup prospects
South Africa’s possibilities had been dealt a giant blow when famous person batter Rassie van der Dussen was dominated out by way of damage.
The 33-year-old suffered an damage to his finger through the second Test match in opposition to England and his absence will probably be keenly felt within the center order.
All-rounder Dwaine Pretorious is one other notable absentee however the squad actually has not been weakened by his late withdrawal.
Pretorious’ alternative Marco Jansen introduced himself onto the worldwide stage with a Test five-for in opposition to England in the summertime and has been described as “the complete package” by Sri Lanka legend Mahela Jayawardene.
That he was solely initially chosen as a travelling reserve demonstrates the depth and breadth of high quality within the facet: from Rossouw and Quinton de Kock on the high of the order, to spin kings Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj.
With a terrific steadiness and a bunch well-suited to the pitches and situations in Australia, that is absolutely South Africa’s greatest alternative to win a World Cup but.
In a bunch with India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, they should show they’ll thrive in opposition to sub-continental opposition to get by way of to the semi-finals.
T20 World Cup historical past
Much was anticipated of South Africa within the inaugural T20 World Cup. With dwelling benefit and a facet filled with huge names, they seemed a superb guess to go the space.
But after successful their first 4 matches in convincing trend, a heavy defeat to India of their closing Super 8s fixture noticed them eradicated from the event on internet run fee.
They did make the ultimate 4 two years later however got here up tantalisingly quick within the semi-final in opposition to Pakistan, shedding by simply seven runs to the eventual winners.
That was the tip of the Mickey Arthur period however a change in coach for every of the next two tournaments didn’t yield a change in fortune.
A return to the semi-finals in 2014 proved to be a false daybreak, with no closing 4 look in both of the 2 following tournaments, although they had been maybe unfortunate to not progress final outing, shedding solely considered one of their 5 Super 12 fixtures with an similar file to group winners, England.
Current Form
Preparations for the World Cup couldn’t have began a lot better for Boucher’s facet.
They beat India away from dwelling of their first two T20 fixtures after final yr’s World Cup – David Miller starred with the bat and Anrich Nortje was as constant as ever because the vacationers took a 2-0 sequence lead.
But they had been pegged again over the course of the subsequent two matches earlier than the decider was deserted as a result of rain.
A sequence win in England then adopted, with a 90-run victory within the closing of three matches an actual assertion of intent with Shamsi seemingly unplayable on the Rose Bowl, ending with figures of 5 for twenty-four.
Ireland had been subsequent to be forged apart earlier than a return to India, with the hosts edging that one 2-1 firstly of October.
The excessive level was undoubtedly Rossouw’s match-winning 100 off simply 48 balls within the closing contest which successfully secured his place within the World Cup squad.
And they’ve carried that good kind into Australia, with New Zealand defeated by 9 wickets within the first of South Africa’s two warm-up fixtures.
Such a dominant victory in opposition to final yr’s runners-up will definitely have raised eyebrows earlier than the event will get underway.
Best batters
The Proteas have two batters ranked contained in the world’s high 10, a feat that’s solely matched by Pakistan.
Aiden Markram sits fourth within the rankings whereas keeper De Kock completes the highest 10.
Markram averages a staggering 41.05 in T20 internationals and strikes at over 150, whereas De Kock has already hit two T20 worldwide half-centuries this yr and the pair make a deadly mixture on the high of the order.
Best bowlers
Shamsi has established himself as one of many world’s greatest white-ball bowlers in latest occasions and solely Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan and Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga are ranked greater.
He will probably be ably supported by Maharaj, whereas within the tempo bowling division, Nortje has turn into considered one of Delhi Capitals’ most prized belongings within the Indian Premier League.
He has the tempo to blow away the world’s greatest, as does Kagiso Rabada, whereas veteran left-armer Parnell will look to search out sideways motion with the brand new ball.