The ‘Proteas’ will consider themselves out-of-pressure as compared to other stronger participants entering the tournament with the “favourites” tag.
Led by Faf Du Plessis- SA will compete in its 8th edition of ICC Cricket World Cup. Entering the tournament on a high note post successful ODI series against SL, PAK, and AUS- will certainly give a mental edge over its competitors in their WC campaign.
South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis ©, JP Duminy, David Miller, Dale Steyn, Andile Phehlukwayo, Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorius, Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Hashim Amla, Tabraiz Shamsi.
The 4 time WC semi-finalists team aim to cash-in their mixture of experienced and inexperienced players in one of the biggest stages of international cricket. Whether the services of ABD will be missed or no will be indicated once the boys get in action on the English pitch and conditions. With the bowling department appearing to be the strongest unit on paper capable of destroying opposition’s play with the bat, a similar approach will be on the shoulders of their batsmen.
Quinton De Kock, one of the assured openers for his team look ahead to carry forward his rich- form from his last limited over international assignment against the Islanders at home where the scores read 81,94,121,51 and was adjudged the “Player of the Series” and “Player of the Match” on 2 occasions.
Playing the 1st match against the hosts in a WC is never considered to be an easy task, which the team will be very well aware of and hence looking ahead to a single match and moving ahead with positives in the tournament; will be certainly on the radar of its new captain and the players.
With Rabada, Steyn & Tahir expected to take charge of the bowling unit and ensure a smooth delivery with the ball, the skipper Faf will command the batting from the middle-order extracting the best from its 2 left-handers- David Miller and JP, thereby contributing the maximum to the pillars being stood up by Quinton De Kock, Hashim Amla, and Aiden Markram.
Probable Playing XI
- Quinton De Kock
- Reeza Hendricks
- Hashim Amla
- FAF Du Plessis
- Heinrich Klassen
- David Miller
- Andile Phelukwayo
- Imran Tahir
- Kagiso Rabada
- Dale Steyn
- Lungi Ndidi
Key players- FAF Du Plessis, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Though many pundits and experts placing their bets on the strong batting unit for success in the upcoming edition of Cricket World Cup in England, the Proteas look to capitalize on their bowling unit with batsmen playing a supportive role to fancy their chances of playing in its maiden final of the tournament and extend the same ahead as it appears the only and strongest method to shed the “chokers” tag.
