The ICC T20 World Cup is a marquee event this year. With the event returning after 5 long years all eyes are set on who will pick up the trophy. One team that has never been in the finals of this event in South Africa. It seems that South Africa is yet to completely understand this format. They have had great players like ABD, Steyn Gun, Amla and were yet not able to get their hands on this prestigious trophy. So, here’s a look at how the squad looks for this year’s extravaganza: –
South Africa Squad for T20 World Cup: –
Temba Bavuma (c), Keshav Maharaj, Quinton de Kock (wk), Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, W Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen; Reserves: George Linde, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lizaad Williams.
South Africa Team Matches: –
Saturday, October 23, 2021: vs Australia, at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, in Abu Dhabi. (3:30 PM IST)
Tuesday, October 26, 2021: vs West Indies, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, in Dubai. (3:30 PM IST)
Saturday, October 30, 2021: vs Qualifier (A1) Sharjah Cricket Stadium, in Sharjah. (3:30 PM IST)
Tuesday, November 2, 2021: vs Qualifier (B2), at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, in Abu Dhabi. (3:30 PM IST)
Saturday, November 6, 2021: vs England, at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, in Abu Dhabi. (7:30 PM IST)
Strengths of South Africa Cricket Team: –
The biggest strength of the South African team is the fact that they have many T20 Specialists. These specialist players include Tabraiz Shamsi, Miller, KG Rabada, and Klaasen. The advantage is that these players have a good sense of adaptability since they have already played all around the globe. The other aspect is the presence of a world-class pace battery. The likes of Rabada, Nortje, and Ngidi can fear the opposition by sheer pace. They also have a good group of left-handers who can tonk the ball!
Weakness of South Africa Cricket Team: –
An evident weakness is the absence of a leg spinner in absence of Shamsi. If Shamsi leaks run or God forbid gets injured the South Africans will have to replace him with Maharaj. The option of taking the ball away from the right-hander then becomes nil. Apart from that, the batting looks inexperienced. Van Der Dussen, Bavuma, and Miller will have to make sure that the team reaches a good total every game. They should have picked Tahir so that they could have a backup option for Tabraiz Shamsi. Also, the presence of Faf would have made a very big difference.
Opportunities for the South Africa Cricket Team: –
When you have nothing to lose, you have the world to gain. Be it Indian in 2007 or Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy, the team that plays fearless cricket wins the tournament. Without the burden of expectations, the South African cricket Team can play freely. They can express themselves to the fullest. The world has seen the potential of Rabada and Nortje but the other can come to the party with this event.
Threats for South Africa Cricket Team: –
The biggest threat also happens to be their inexperience at the international level. Their specialists of the format are tried and tested in leagues but their international mettle is not tested. The other threat is the form of David Miller. It seems to be on and off. So, this is the case with Klaasen. This duo will have to take the South Africa batting through.