Predicting the South Africa Team That Will Start the ICC T20 World Cup
South Africa are big fans of consistency in selection. While they might trial a few new faces here and there in the upcoming matches against India, England and Australia, the team mostly picks itself.
Of course, there is the chance of injury or a youngster having an outstanding spell in the domestic Twenty20 season, but the team predicted here should largely be the one that plays in next year’s ICC World T20.
1. Quinton de Kock
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Quinton de Kock might have hit a slump in form recently, but he remains one of South Africa’s most talented players.
He also has a stellar record against India, having hit three consecutive one-day centuries against them when they toured South Africa in 2013. He offers AB de Villiers some relief from wicketkeeping duties as well.
2. Hashim Amla
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At the start of his career, Hashim Amla was considered more a Test player than a limited-overs player. That myth has been blown out of the water, and he has been a powerhouse on the one-day circuit.
In the T20 side, he offers balance and calm alongside Quinton de Kock’s aggressive approach.
3. Faf du Plessis
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Barring injury, Faf du Plessis is likely to assume his captaincy duties for the World T20.
Not only is he talented, he also has the wealth of Indian Premier League experience. Familiarity with conditions will stand him, and South Africa, in good stead for the tournament. In fact, it’s a big advantage for South Africa that so many of their players have played so much IPL cricket.
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4. AB de Villiers
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AB de Villiers needs no introduction or justification for being in a team. Yet, when you look at his statistical record, you might raise an eyebrow. De Villiers averages just 22.38 in T20 internationals and has scored just five fifties in 61 matches. For a guy who seemingly can't stop scoring runs, that might seem a bit below par.
Still, when AB de Villiers has a good day, he can single-handedly take a game away from the opposition, and that’s exactly the kind of player that South Africa need.
5. JP Duminy
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Like many of his team-mates, JP Duminy has been playing IPL for years. Not only is he a good player of spin, but he offers a handy part-time spin-bowling option, something that will be very useful on sub-continental tracks.
6. Rilee Rossouw
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This is a bit of a wild-card pick. Rilee Rossouw is becoming one of South Africa’s most reliable T20 batsmen.
He is not part of the T20 squad for India, but he averages almost 40.00 in the 10 T20s he has played for South Africa, and if he has a solid T20 season domestically, South Africa will not be able to ignore his performances—not if they want to win, anyway.
7. Farhaan Behardien
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This is another slightly controversial pick. You might have expected to see David Miller lower down the order. Domestically (in South Africa and India), Miller has played some blinding innings. But he has disappointed more often than not in international colours.
Farhaan Behardien hasn’t exactly been much better, but during the ODI series against New Zealand, it seemed like he offered a bit of a spark. If he can carry that form through to the T20 side, he will play a key role for South Africa during the ICC World T20.
8. Dale Steyn
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Some have said that Dale Steyn isn’t the best of limited-overs bowlers, but he is still a very useful option in T20s. The short, sharp nature of the format means that Steyn can attack right from the get-go.
The conditions won’t suit him entirely, but as an aggressive, attacking option to get wickets up front, Steyn is one of the first names on the teamsheet every time.
9. Morne Morkel
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Morne Morkel gets the nod ahead of Vernon Philander, despite being a worse batsman. Morkel’s height means he can generate extra bounce from the surfaces in India.
Morkel also has a wealth of IPL experience, and he can be sublime when used as an out-and-out attacking bowler.
10. Aaron Phangiso
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This is where things get a bit more interesting in terms of selection. South Africa suddenly has a wealth of spinners in their midst, and Aaron Phangiso has proved to be a very useful spinning option.
While Duminy does offer some part-time relief if the team opts for just one front-line spinner, slower bowling has proved to be very effective in T20 cricket, and South Africa might just think outside the box for the World T20.
11. Imran Tahir
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Imran Tahir is one of the best limited-overs bowlers in the world. Unlike in Tests where he can get smacked around once a batsman settles, Tahir uses his variations well in T20s—and because batsmen are forced to constantly attack, there is no time for anyone to settle.
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