Cricket South Africa (CSA) has managed to keep their faith in the veteran like Hashim Amla while including him the 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019. His inclusion was the only big question in a South African team that was otherwise more or less settled for the mega event in England and Wales.
Amla is no less than a legend for South African when it comes to ODI, with close to 8000 runs at an average of just under 50. However, his form in recent past has been a huge matter of concern as the last year of his career plagued by inconsistency. But Amla’s experience and pedigree eventually won over the selectors.
In order to included Amla, CSA had a to exclude someone like Reeza Hendricks, who had established himself as a potential replacement after making a cracking start to his ODI career as he scored a century on debut. However, he then suffered a dip in form, and currently averages just over 26 after 18 ODIs.
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Along with Amla, the Proteas has two other solid opening options like Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock. De Kock has been in phenomenal form and he will likely lock down one of the opening slots, and it remains to be seen whom South Africa choose to partner him with at the top.
Skipper Faf du Plessis will also have a lot of fast bowling options as well to choose from, with all of Kagiso Rabada, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lungi Ngidi, Dale Steyn, Anrich Nortje and Dwaine Pretorius having been included. Nortje is a fiery pacer and subsequently impressed in the Sri Lanka series, where he made his debut, filling in for Steyn.
However, JP Duminy, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, has also been picked. The spin department will be headed by 40-year-old wrist-spinner Imran Tahir. South Africa can also fall back on Tabraiz Shamsi if they need a back-up or an ally to Tahir, while Duminy is an experienced part-timer with his off-spin.
Here’s your team South Africa! #ProteaFire #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/sAcso5pu1f
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) April 18, 2019
Duminy will also be holding a key in the middle order, along with Du Plessis. On the other hand, David Miller offers fire-power to the batting unit and doubles up as a wicket-keeper should the need arise. Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo offer all-around options alongside Duminy.
South Africa kick off the 2019 World Cup against the tournament hosts England at The Oval in London on 30 May.
South Africa ICC World Cup 2019 Squad:
Faf du Plessis (c), Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, JP Duminy, Dwaine Pretorius, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi
