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Champions Trophy 2017 - South Africa announce squad

Varun

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Left-arm spinner, Keshav Maharaj, has earned his maiden One-Day International (ODI) call-up to the 15-man Standard Bank Proteas squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, which was announced on Wednesday.

The squad will play three ODI’s against England starting with the first match at Headingley in Leeds on May 24th , before their first group match of the ICC Champions Trophy against Sri Lanka at the Oval on June 3.

The 26-year-old Maharaj has had an impressive debut season for the Test squad, and comes into the squad to bolster the spin options alongside Imran Tahir.

Morne Morkel makes a return to the limited-overs format after nearly 10 months, adding experience to the pace bowling group featuring Kagiso Rabada, Wayne Parnell, Chris Morris, Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) convener of selectors, Linda Zondi, says the selectors have picked a strong squad which covers all of the combinations and conditions on offer for the eighth edition of the eight-team event.

“We have been working with this group of players for the last two seasons where our key emphasis has been consitency in selection,” Zondi commented. “That has shown in how this group has performed over the last while, which has resulted in winning three consecutive ODI series.

“We feel we have a squad that covers every scenario that we could possibly be faced with on the tour. Most importantly, every player knows and understands their role and value within the squad.

“Keshav has had an expectional debut season for the Test side and his inclusion in the squad gives us a spinner with a different skills and extra batting depth. We have seen how important it is to bat deep in ODI cricket, this option will give us that cover if needed.”

The squad will depart for England on May 16 and will begin their preprations with two 50-over tour matches against Sussex and Northants.

Standard Bank Proteas ODI squad for three-match ODI series against England and ICC Champions Trophy: Hashim Amla (BuildNat Cape Cobras), Quiton de Kock - wk (Multiply Titans), Faf du Plessis (Multiply Titans), AB de Villiers – captain (Multiply Titans), JP Duminy (BuildNat Cape Cobras), David Miller (VKB Knights), Chris Morris (Multiply Titans), Wayne Parnell (BuildNat Cape Cobras), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (bizhub Highveld Lions), Imran Tahir (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dwaine Pretorius (bizhub Highveld Lions), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Farhaan Behardien (Multiply Titans), Morne Morkel (Multiply Titans).

South Africa ODI Tour to UK itinerary


Fri 19 May 1-day Tour match v Sussex (D/N) 1st Central County Ground, Hove

Sun 21 May 1-day Tour match v Northants Northampton

Wed 24 May 1st Royal London ODI (D/N) Headingley, Leeds

Sat 27 May 2nd Royal London ODI Ageas Bowl, Southampton

Mon 29 May 3rd Royal London ODI Lord’s, London

Thu 1 – Mon 19 June ICC Champions Trophy

Sat 3 June Sri Lanka v South Africa The Oval, London

Wed 7 June Pakistan v South Africa Edgbaston, Birmingham

Sun 11 June India v South Africa The Oval, London
 
I know it has become cliche by now, but South Africa have a good chance of winning this thing. They are the best team in their group, have had the wood over Australia in ODIs for a while now and will have three matches before the event to get familiar with England's strategy. Plus, they have the undisputed, best ODI batsman and best ODI spinner in their ranks and are the #1 ranked ODI team.

Unless England have an unstoppable day with the bat or the Kiwis play like they did under McCulum, I can't see any team beating them. They will probably choke against Australia in the semi-finals, as a result.
 
As always, a solid squad. Morkel and Morris don't inspire much so I am dubious about their selection.

Either way, they will choke. I know it's a cliche but they lost to a mediocre, losing Pakistan in 2015, they will fold again. Maybe make it through the group but nothing more.
 
Just for a bit of fun, this is the team I'll pick:

Hashim Amla (BuildNat Cape Cobras), Quiton de Kock - wk (Multiply Titans), Faf du Plessis (Multiply Titans), AB de Villiers – captain (Multiply Titans), JP Duminy (BuildNat Cape Cobras), David Miller (VKB Knights), Chris Morris (Multiply Titans), Wayne Parnell (BuildNat Cape Cobras), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (bizhub Highveld Lions), Imran Tahir (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dwaine Pretorius (bizhub Highveld Lions), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Farhaan Behardien (Multiply Titans), Morne Morkel (Multiply Titans). - See more at: http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...th-Africa-announce-squad#sthash.PYG8IEfx.dpuf

1. QDK wk
2. Amla
3. Du Plessis
4. AB c
5. Duminy
6. Miller
7. Pretorius (his style of bowling may work in England)
8. Parnell
9. Rabada
10. Tahir
11. Maharaj (why not go for two spinners, english conditions arent very english these days)
 
They always send the best team and are generally the ones floundering the most. Perhaps they get too arrogant.
 
Should have dropped Amla to improve their chances of winning.
 
Just one new ball pacer short from a complete side, still on paper the best side. I just wonder has Roussou (for FaF) & Abbot (For Parnel) delayed their Kolpak by 3 months, this could have been one of the best ODI units in recent times. Still a fantastic ODI unit -

Amla, De Kok
FaF, AB, JP, Miller
Phehlukwayo, Pretorious
Rabada, Tahir, Morne
 
Good to see Morne Morkel back. He is an underrated OdI bowler, arguably at par with Steyn in ODIs.

The playing XI they should start with:

Qdk
Amla
Faf
AB
JP
Miller
Morris(all rounder)
Pretorius/Andile(can play both too)
Morkel
Rabada
Tahir

Only if they could do something of JP, it would be the best side.Don't they have better option than Behardien to have in the 15 man squad?
 
Best team on paper

Think England and Australia are still better on paper. England playing in England will be a very very strong contender and Australia too with the likes of Starc, Hazlewood, Warner and Smith all in their peak days.India also increase their bar in ICC tournaments. Don't think SA has the undisputed best team.
 
Has to be Australia. Their attack is ridiculously strong.

Australia's bowling isn't as much better than South Africa's, as much as South Africa's batting is compared to Australia's. Still the two best sides in the tournament and should reach the final unless South Africa choke in the semis.
 
Think England and Australia are still better on paper. England playing in England will be a very very strong contender and Australia too with the likes of Starc, Hazlewood, Warner and Smith all in their peak days.India also increase their bar in ICC tournaments. Don't think SA has the undisputed best team.

Naa England are too dependant on their batting which imo is still not as good as South Africa and Australia's
 
Last time they faultered badly against us in CWC2015 with similar batting.

But we don't have services of Rahat this time.
 
Australia's bowling isn't as much better than South Africa's, as much as South Africa's batting is compared to Australia's. Still the two best sides in the tournament and should reach the final unless South Africa choke in the semis.

If SA had Ngidi, I would've given it to them.
 
Naa England are too dependant on their batting which imo is still not as good as South Africa and Australia's

Their bowling will come good because of home conditions. Its like India who are dependent on batting but in home conditions their bowlers also come good.
 
Think England and Australia are still better on paper. England playing in England will be a very very strong contender and Australia too with the likes of Starc, Hazlewood, Warner and Smith all in their peak days.India also increase their bar in ICC tournaments. Don't think SA has the undisputed best team.
England lacks match winning bowlers with a complete skillset. Wood is one but he's coming off injury.
 
England lacks match winning bowlers with a complete skillset. Wood is one but he's coming off injury.

Willey is very good too upfront. Can swing it with the new ball. Anyways, expect 300 -320 matches in the tournament more frequently with flatter wickets and there its about outbatting the opposition more.
 
Willey is very good too upfront. Can swing it with the new ball. Anyways, expect 300 -320 matches in the tournament more frequently with flatter wickets and there its about outbatting the opposition more.

And we select Azhar Ali.
 
When is PAK vs SA?

7 june..

As for the match is concerned, just bat first and score 260-270. I doubt SA will chase that.However, if you bowl first, it might be a different case altogether.
 
7 june..

As for the match is concerned, just bat first and score 260-270. I doubt SA will chase that.However, if you bowl first, it might be a different case altogether.

Tbh I don't think 260-270 will be enough.

We may need an Amir and Shadab special to defend this against a top team. We need to score at least 320
 
I love this selection.

Imran Tahir is nearing the 40 age mark and it's good to see Keshav Maharaj being groomed to take over the spinners role
 
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