The 15-man South African squad for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was announced on Tuesday, April 30.
After being named T20I captain, Aiden Markram will now lead the Proteas’ charge at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States and the West Indies. This will be Markram’s first ICC event.
Notable names on the roster include Quinton de Kock and Anrich Nortje, two players who were recently removed off Cricket South Africa’s main contract list. Due to a back ailment, Nortje has not been able to play for his country since September 2023. Meanwhile, De Kock, who had previously said goodbye to Test cricket in 2022, declared his retirement from ODIs following the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
The two players without T20I caps on the team, Ryan Rickelton and Ottniel Baartman, have both benefited from their outstanding play in the most recent SA20 tournament. For MI Cape Town, Rickelton scored 530 runs at an average of 58.88 and a strike rate of 173.77, making him the tournament’s best run scorer. In eight matches for the defending winners, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Baartman contributed 18 wickets.
In addition to their youthful roster, the Proteas boast a solid batting core that includes Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Reeza Hendricks, De Kock, and Markram.
The speed trio of Kagiso Rabada, Nortje, Marco Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee will spearhead the attack, with Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj, and Tabraiz Shamsi forming the frontline spin trio.
The South African squad consists of the following players: Aiden Markram (captain), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marcel Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs.
Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi are travel reserves.
Considering the amount of Twenty20 cricket played recently and the form that has been on display, selecting this group was really tough,” coach Rob Walter remarked when discussing the selection. Ryan and Ottniel, the two uncapped players, deserve my congratulations on being selected.
Incredible achievements by our athletes in 2024 made my task extremely challenging. Nevertheless, I am pleased and assured that we have selected the best team, one that will undoubtedly succeed in the West Indies and the United States.
South Africa’s Twenty20 World Cup campaign kicks off on June 3 in New York against Sri Lanka.
