Aiden Markram and Anrich Nortje were rewarded for their strong performances for South Africa at the T2o World Cup by being included in the tournament’s official Most Valuable Team.
Selected by commentators, former international players and journalists - with ex-West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop the convenor - the team includes three players from eventual winners Australia.
South Africa’s Proteas were effectively knocked out by the eventual champions - failing to make the knockout rounds because of an inferior net run rate after losing their first match of the tournament to the Aussies.
But Markram, who scored 162 runs at an average of 54 and Nortje who claimed nine scalps at 11.55, have every reason to be happy with their individual performances.
With the tournament XI led by Pakistan’s Babar Azam, Bishop says of their team: “As with any team selection there will be varying opinions, and robust discussion on the final composition of the squad.
“The panel respects that, and we encourage the strong debate that will ensue. This team was incredibly difficult to select over such a highly competitive tournament. Selections were based predominantly on the Super 12 onward to the final.”
[T20 World Cup XI]
1 David Warner (Australia) – 289 runs at 48.16
2 Jos Buttler (wk) (England) – 269 runs at 89.66, five dismissals
3 Babar Azam (Captain, Pakistan) – 303 runs at 60.60
4 Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka) – 231 runs at 46.20
5 Aiden Markram (South Africa) – 162 runs at 54.00
6 Moeen Ali (England) – 92 runs at strike rate of 131.42, seven wickets at 11
7 Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) – 16 wickets at 9.75
8 Adam Zampa (Australia) – 13 wickets at 12.07
9 Josh Hazlewood (Australia) – 11 wickets at 15.90
10 Trent Boult (New Zealand) – 13 wickets at 13.30
11 Anrich Nortje (South Africa) – nine wickets at 11.55
12th: Shaheen Afridi – seven wickets at 24.14