People are bouncing off the walls, and a ripple of excitement surrounds the cricket fraternity. Why? Cricket's most prestigious tournament, the ODI World Cup, is less than two weeks from commencement and has India as its host. While we are counting the days until the competition begins, let us check out the South Africa ODI World Cup squad.
Avowed as the ‘chokers', it has not been a happy hunting ground for South Africa in ICC tournaments. Let alone win the trophy, South Africa have never played in the final of an ODI World Cup. Although they were in the rebuilding phase after some of their greats retired, they finally seemed to have entered a new dawn with their white-ball outfit looking as strong as ever.
In this article, we provide you with the 15 names who will feature in the South Africa ODI World Cup squad. Also, we will try to analyse where they stand with regard to their chances of winning their first ODI World Cup.
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South Africa's ODI World Cup squad
South Africa recently won the ODI series against Australia in a dress rehearsal before the mega event. The hosts came back after being 0-2 down in the series.
Specialist batsmen
South Africa has an abundance of batting talents. Enjoying a problem of plenty, South Africa have eventually picked five specialist batters for the 2023 World Cup:
- Temba Bavuma
Temba Bavuma is the South Africa ODI captain. Bavuma often found himself at the receiving end of the stick for his lacklustre T20 performance. However, in a remarkable turnaround, he has become his side's dependable ODI batter as an opener.
Temba Bavuma in ODI in 2023:
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 1, 2023
Innings – 5
Runs – 414
Average – 103.5
Hundreds – 2
Fifties – 1
Strike Rate – 116.95
Captain is standing tall to keep the World Cup dreams alive. pic.twitter.com/s6oDBrYuZw
- Rassie van der Dussen
The South Africa ODI No. 3 Rassie van der Dussen has made significant strides in the ODI format. Averaging 60.58 after 45 ODIs, Rassie holds an important place in the South Africa ODI World Cup squad.
- Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram will take on the role of a middle-order batter in the South Africa playing XI. Despite having enormous talent, Markram has not shone brightly in ODI cricket; however, he is hugely capable of fitting well into the South Africa ODI World Cup squad. His off-spin can also be of service to South Africa in India.
- David Miller
Another vastly accomplished batter, David Miller, will be endowed with the opportunity to finish off games well for South Africa. Miller will bat in the lower-middle order and is destructive enough to add an extra 15–20 runs to South Africa's total.
- Reeza Hendricks
Reeza Hendricks does not have overly great numbers in ODIs but has the potential and temperament to perform well in the 50-over format. He should be one of the opening batters for the Proteas.
Wicket keepers
There are two wicketkeepers in the South Africa ODI World Cup squad.
- Quinton de Kock
South Africa's primary wicketkeeper, Quinton de Kock, will probably open alongside Bavuma. De Kock is not having a good time currently in the ODI format, but knowing his pedigree, it will not take much for the opener to get back to his best.
- Heinrich Klaasen
Heinrich Klaasen is the talk of the town. Piling up runs for fun, Klaasen is arguably the best white-ball batter going around currently. Although he is a wicketkeeper, he’s unlikely to don the gloves, as de Kock will perform that duty.
Heinrich Klaasen has hit the most sixes in T20 cricket in 2023. 🇿🇦🔥#HeinrichKlaasen #T20 #SportsKeeda pic.twitter.com/BacRIEXz19
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 17, 2023
All rounders
South Africa does not have many all-rounders. This is the area where they lack. The all-rounders in the South Africa ODI World Cup squad are:
- Marco Jansen
A left-arm medium-pacer and a right-handed batter, Marco Jansen fits well into the all-rounder category. He knows a thing or two about how to tonk the boundaries. The Proteas can use him as an enforcer at No. 7.
- Andile Phelhlukwayo
Andile Phehlukwayo has a truckload of experience, having already played in the 2019 edition of the World Cup in England and Wales. He has scored 781 runs and picked up 89 wickets from 76 ODIs.
Specialist bowlers
South Africa have following as their specialist bowlers:
- Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada ought to be in the South African ODI World Cup squad. Though the fast bowler has been patchy in his performance lately, there is no stopping him once he finds the rhythm.
- Lizaad Williams
Lizaad Williams had the rub of the green go his way after Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala could not pass the fitness test. He has played only one ODI for South Africa thus far.
- Lungi Ngidi
South Africa has Lungi Ngidi to complement Rabada. He showed good temperament the last time South Africa visited India, and this could be a decisive factor in his selection.
- Gerald Coetzee
The 22-year-old Gerland Coetzee has played in domestic leagues around the world, although he has only represented South Africa in 11 international matches thus far in his career.
- Keshav Maharaj (spinner)
Keshav Maharaj is a part of the South Africa ODI World Cup squad despite returning from an Achilles injury. South Africa looks a bit depleted in the spin-bowling aspect, but Maharaj's comeback will improve this.
- Tabraiz Shamsi (spinner)
South Africa has a potent leg-spinner in their squad, and who better than Tabraiz Shamsi to play this role?
South Africa already has a left-arm spinner in Maharaj. They also had Bjorn Fortuin as an option, but the Proteas went with the duo of Shamsi and Maharaj.
Probable South Africa ODI World Cup 2023 playing 11
Bearing in mind the South Africa ODI World Cup squad, their playing 11 could be this:
- Temba Bavuma (captain)
- Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper)
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Aiden Markram
- Heinrich Klaasen
- David Miller
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Kagiso Rabada
- Anrich Nortje
- Tabraiz Shamsi
Like other top teams, South Africa is high on batting prowess, having the likes of Bavuma, de Kock, Rassie, Markram, Klaasen, and Miller in their ranks. What more do you want?
All-rounders, that's what. South Africa are skating on thin ice here. Already light on all-round resources, South Africa has multi-faceted players, namely Jansen and Phehulkwayo They can swing the bat around, and on odd days, they might chip in. But one cannot expect consistency from them.
As far as their bowling is concerned, it is hard to make up our minds about what we think of their spinners. Maharaj is returning from an injury. Shamsi has not been successful in India in the past. On the contrary, their pacers are top-notch and can run the show.
While South Africa's shortcomings are hard to brush aside, it is imperative for their strengths to lay a carpet over their weaknesses so that it becomes possible for them to win the ODI World Cup 2023.
