Faf du Plessis will lead a Standard Bank Proteas squad that contains a good mix of players with proven World Cup experience and a new generation of exciting talent at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to be played in England and Wales later this year.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) named their 15-man squad in Randburg on Thursday.
Five of the players – Du Plessis himself, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir and Dale Steyn – made their World Cup debuts at the tournament on the sub-continent in 2011 and are thus playing in their third World Cup.
Quinton de Kock and David Miller made their debuts in the 2015 tournament in Australasia and will be going to the World Cup for the second time.
“We are very happy with the squad we have been able to put together and have every confidence in their ability to do our country proud at the World Cup,” said CSA National Selection Panel convener Linda Zondi.
“The fact that we have managed to win our last five series in a row in this format against Zimbabwe, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka twice underlines the quality of the team that Faf will lead into the contest.
"The final selection is also the result of a very rigorous search we have conducted, leaving no stone unturned, to make sure that we have made the best use of the options available to us.
“We feel that Faf’s team is well equipped to handle whatever conditions are presented to them, bearing in mind the weather extremes one can encounter in the British Isles.
“We have also been highly encouraged by the form shown by those of our players who are currently in action in the Indian Premier League and there is no doubt that there is a great sense of anticipation and determination among our players.
“As is well known you need a good squad of 15 players to come out on top with the demanding fixtures list ahead of us rather than just a first XI and I have been particularly encouraged by the depth of talent that has revealed itself to us during the selection process.
“I am also very happy to announce that two of our fast bowlers currently on the injured list, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje, are well on the way to recovery and we expect them to be ready for our pre-tournament camp next month,” concluded Zondi.
SA World Cup squad:
Faf du Plessis (Multiply Titans, capt), Hashim Amla (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Quinton de Kock (Multiply Titans), JP Duminy (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Imran Tahir (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dwaine Pretorius (bizhub Highveld Lions), Kagiso Rabada (bizhub Highveld Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Multiply Titans), Dale Steyn (Multiply Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (bizhub Highveld Lions).
African News Agency