South Africa name 15-member squad for West Indies T20I series
Cricket South Africa named a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against West Indies. The three-match series will start from August 24 onward. It's a relatively inexperienced South Africa team with a number of big names including Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, and David Miller missing from the team list. There are a couple of fresh faces involved.
Here's the 15-member SA squad to face WI
SA 15-member T20I squad: Aiden Markram (c), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.
Reasons why several high-profile players are missing
With several high-profile players missing, Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter provided an explaination. "Several players were not considered for this series due to either injury, being in a conditioning block that is related to workload management, or their participation in ongoing T20 leagues," he said as per the ICC's official website.
SA will hope to thrive under Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram will lead the side against the Windies. The versatile cricketer, who is playing in the ongoing Test series versus the Windies, led the Proteas to the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. In addition to Markram's experience, SA have Reeza Hendricks, Lungi Ngidi and Rassie van der Dussen to provide comfort. Nandre Burger and Tristan Stubbs are quality names.
Jason Smith and Kwena Maphaka are the fresh faces
SA have included the likes of Jason Smith and Kwena Maphaka in the 15-man squad. Left-arm pacer Maphaka was the star performer at the 2024 ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup, with 21 scalps at an average of 9.71. On the other hand, Smith is a crucial all-rounder with plenty of experience in the South Africa domestic circuit.
