South Africa announce squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021

[MenInG]

Temba Bavuma to captain team at World Cup
Victor Mpitsang calls on all South Africans to rally behind team and cheer them to the final
Keshav Maharaj included in squad
Three travelling reserves to provide support and cover in key positions
World Cup squad will take on Sri Lanka in upcoming three-match T20 series as key preparation

==

JOHANNESBURG: Temba Bavuma will lead the Proteas in the seventh edition of the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman. It will be his first major world event at the helm since his permanent appointment earlier this year.

South Africa qualified automatically for the tournament by virtue of their top eight position in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings. The Super 12 section of the event will take place from 23 October to 14 November with South Africa playing in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) is pleased to announce the following players in the squad that will represent South Africa at the World Cup:

Temba Bavuma (captain, Imperial Lions), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper, Momentum Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (Imperial Lions), Reeza Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (Imperial Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Dwaine Pretorius (North West Dragons), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions).

Traveling Reserves

Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), George Linde (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).

The three reserve players will travel with the team as part of the ICC’s COVID-19 medical protocols.

This will be the team that will take on Sri Lanka in the upcoming three-match T20 International series in Colombo from 10 to 14 September with the exception of Lungi Ngidi who has joined his IPL team, the Chennai Super Kings, to complete the CSA return to play protocols and to acclimatise to the conditions of the UAE before the start of that tournament. They will be led by Keshav Maharaj, who took over the captaincy on an interim basis from Bavuma after the skipper fractured his right thumb in the first One-Day International (ODI) last week.

“The National Selection Panel and I are extremely excited to announce this squad, which we believe is a world-beating squad. It has been a busy last few months for the Proteas and we have had enough time to assess our options and we are pleased with the outcome,” said CSA Convenor of Selectors, Victor Mpitsang.

CSA Acting CEO, Mr Pholetsi Moseki commented saying: “Congratulations to our selectors on putting a competitive squad together, while taking injuries, form and team balance into account. Good luck to our team, whom I am sure will make our nation proud.”

Mpitsang added that “there is no better time than now for us to bring home the trophy and bring the nation together in a way that only sport can. We hope that South Africans will rally behind this team and cheer them all the way to the final.”

“We are confident that we have a well-balanced and well thought out World Cup squad, with reserve players that are more than capable and up to the job if called up for it. The team has blossomed well under the leadership of Temba Bavuma and we look forward to seeing his return to the international stage once he is fully recovered from injury.

“On behalf of the National Selection Panel, I would like to wish Temba and coach, Mark Boucher all of the very best as the team continues to finalise its preparation in Sri Lanka and as Temba looks to make a full recovery from his injury,” he said.

Mpitsang said the inclusion of Maharaj provides the team with an extra string to its spinning bow, together with his proven leadership credentials.

“Kesh is an excellent leader. He has the backing of the team and us as a Panel. He has more than proven his leadership skills in the Dolphins set up and reinforced our good decision during the ODI series against Sri Lanka which ended on Tuesday.

“His exemplary captaincy is what we believe is in the best interests of the team’s stability during this last international series that the team gets to play ahead of the World Cup.”

Further good news is that captain Temba Bavuma is expected to be declared fit in time for the tournament.

“The prognosis is good and we are delighted to have such a strong leader at the helm of our unified team, which is committed to excelling and making all South Africans proud,” concludes Moseki.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super 12

23 Oct: Australia v South Africa, Abu Dhabi (14h00)
26 Oct: South Africa v West Indies, Dubai (14h00)
30 Oct: South Africa v A1, Sharjah (14h00)
2 Nov: South Africa v B2, Abu Dhabi (14h00)
6 Nov: England v South Africa, Sharjah (18h00)

10 Nov: Semi-final 1 (A1 v B2), Abu Dhabi (18h00)
11 Nov: Semi-final 2 (B1 v A2), Dubai (18h00)
14 Nov: Final, Dubai (18h00)

*All times are local (GMT+4)

 

[nextover666666]

Shams and van Der dussen will be key for South Africa they will have to come up big

 

[Last Monetarist]

I'm a bit disappointed not to see Janneman Malan or Kyle Verreynne selected in the squad. One of them certainly deserved a go ahead of bits and pieces cricketers such as Wiaan Mulder or Dwaine Pretorius.

 

[Saj]

None of the 'freelance' players selected.

Faf, Morris, Imran Tahir.

 

[Justcrazy]

Imran Tahir , Shamshi , Rabada, Ngidi , Morris

This would have been a solid bowling attack.

 

[Rana]

First round knockout

 

[shamaan]

They won't reach the semi final.poor squad

 

[sam_ahm]

Poor Squad, I'm quite shocked they've left out Janneman Malan, i mean Mulder and Pretorious may not even get a game in the UAE, their effectiveness will be zero.

Again Reeza getting selected is just beyond pathetic.

First round knock out for sure and they deserve it.

 

[b.lesner]

Where is Janneman Malan and George Linde

 

[Nikhil_cric]

It's the best they could have hoped for. Janneman is not best against spin and I don't think he will do well on slow surfaces. Not yet, anyway

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Morris was unavailable for selection as per Graeme Smith.

Stupid to not pick Faf and Imran Tahir.
Faf could have been a big big upgrade over Reeza Hendricks and Tahir over Fortuin.
And Faf was part of the international side around march.

Another impending first round exit for Transformation XI on the cards.

 

[MenInG]

Cricket South Africa (CSA) today named Justin Sammons and JP Duminy as specialist consultants to the Proteas men’s national team management for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be played in Oman and the United Arab Emirates next month.

The pair will fill the vacancy on a temporary basis caused by the resignation of assistant coach Enoch Nkwe.

“I would like to thank the Imperial Lions and the North West Dragons for making JP and Justin available to us where they are currently employed as the respective batting coaches,” commented CSA Director of Cricket Graeme Smith.

“Justin previously worked with the Proteas during the first part of our current tour of Sri Lanka so he has already developed a good working relationship with the players.

“JP is a perfect fit for T20 cricket. His record as a player speaks for itself and he will bring specific skills in all three disciplines of batting, bowling and fielding,” Smith concluded.

 

[mastimasti]

I think the bowling line up here is quite decent. No idea why people are asking for Faf or Tahir.

Tahir is 40+ and not that good anymore.

Faf looked like an old man who didn't know how to hold a bat in the PSL.

SA have sadly, over the last 10 years, been hamstrung by players leaving the country and joining England, NZ or Aus. The selectors have picked the best of the rest.

 

[SangasCoverDrive]

Tahir is crying because he didn't get selected.

==

Cricket South Africa (CSA) dropped quite a few selection surprises when it announced the squad for T20 World Cup 2021. The selection committee decided against bringing back former skipper Faf du Plessis and also kept Imran Tahir away. Both the players have been regulars in various T20 leagues around the globe and were expected to make their comebacks.

However, the committee wanted to be consistent in the selection and kept them away. "Imran has had a great run and is still successful but we were very confident in the current crop of spinners we are developing, we felt that they deserved the opportunity," selection convener Victor Mptisang was quoted as saying by News 24.

Upset with the snub, Tahir has revealed that CSA director of cricket, Graeme Smith, wanted him to play T20 World Cup. However, the former SA captain hasn't replied to his message sent last year.

"I am not feeling great that I am not in the squad. Last year Graeme Smith spoke to me and said I want you to play in the World Cup, which was in Australia. I said obviously I am available and excited and honoured because you give me respect. I am ready," Tahir told IOL Sport today (September 10).

"I am working hard and you can see my performances in all these leagues. He said that's why he wants me. He also said he was going to speak to a few other guys like AB (de Villiers) and Faf (du Plessis). They put me on the Proteas group and everything, but then nobody contacted me. After a few months I texted Smith and Boucher and nobody replied to me. Since Boucher has become coach he has not contacted me once to tell me what his plans are. It's really sad man. I served the country for 10 years, I think I deserve a little more respect than these guys thinking I'm worthless."

Tahir, who made his SA debut in the 2011 World Cup, hasn't played international cricket since the 2019 WC. He hasn't played a List A fixture since February 2020 but has been a regular in T20 cricket. Tahir will now be in action in the 2nd phase of IPL 2021, which ends just a few days before the start of the T20 World Cup.

The senior leg-spinner, who is currently playing in the Caribbean Premier League, doesn't have any plans to retire and is ready to play till the age of 50.

"I have always wanted to win a World Cup for South Africa to say thank you for the opportunity this country has given me, so I am not planning on retiring. I am going to play until 50 if I have to," he added.

SA's 2nd highest wicket-taker in the shortest format, Tahir has dismissed 61 batsmen in 35 T20Is. He has also played 20 Tests and 107 ODIs.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...nub-says-he-will-continue-to-play-till/810388

 

[Maher96]

Is becoming a trend to leave oldies out.

Dhawan, Malik, Wahab, Faf, Tahir, Tamim,Narine just to name few so far not selected

 

[Saj]

Faf in good form too - 84 off 54 balls today in the CPL.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Leaving Janneman Malan out is a shocking decision. Leaving du Plessis out is even worse, but still expected since his non-selection for the past year was pointing towards that. Ditto for Tahir who could have paired up with Shamsi incredibly well.

At the end of the day though, the result will be the same and these omissions are going to end up biting South Africa in the behind.

 

[Hasan123]

It's ridiculous to leave out Geroge Linde who was a regular for months and did well. Now he is left out. Faf also should have been in the squad as he had done well in franchise cricket. South Africa could have done with his experience. Not surprised Morris and Tahir weren't selected. Rest of the squad was what I expected.

 

[MenInG]

Temba Bavuma is recovering well from the broken thumb he suffered in Sri Lanka, with the South Africa captain to enjoy his first “live net” session this Friday.

Bavuma, who has been sidelined since South Africa’s first ODI against Sri Lanka in September, is hopeful of playing in the warm-up matches ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

"My hand is definitely improving by the day," Bavuma said on Thursday. "It's getting stronger and I am getting a lot more comfortable with it.

“Tomorrow will be the first time I am having a live net, facing bowlers, so I am looking forward to that and that will give me a better indication of how far I've progressed. At the moment, everything is still on track. I am looking to play in the warm-up games. I am feeling good."

While a welcome return, Bavuma’s awaited re-entry into the XI does present a new selection headache for the South Africans.

In Bavuma’a absence, Reeza Hendricks has been partnering Quinton de Kock at the top of the order with Aiden Markram batting at No.3

Bavuma is likely to return as an opener, leaving the Proteas with a difficult decision as to whether the simply shift Hendricks and Markram down a position or have to exclude one of them from the XI.

"My role is quite obvious and clear to me. I'm someone who comes in at the top," Bavuma said.

"If there's an opportunity to come in at No 3, I'll play in that spot. Reeza has batted quite well of late at the top of the order.

"But I'll probably partner Quinny (De Kock) and see who fits into the middle order."

South Africa play their first warm-up match on 18 October against Afghanistan and start their T20 World Cup on 23 October.

 

[MenInG]

Few nations have endured as much heartbreak at ICC events as South Africa. In 2021, the reward for their decades of consistency could finally come to fruition. They have flown under the radar in some circles, but this is a team ready to go all the way in the midst of the best active winning streak in T20I cricket.
They have flown under the radar in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup but expect big things from South Africa over the next month.

After all, no team at the tournament has won more matches in 2021 than the Proteas, who go into the campaign in the midst of a seven-game winning streak with key players in serious form.

Ahead of their first match on 23 October, we preview their tournament and look at their key players.

***

Few nations have endured as much heartbreak at ICC events as South Africa.

In 1992 they needed 22 off 13 deliveries to make the Final of the Men’s Cricket World Cup when rain stopped play. When it resumed, they were left needing 22 off one under the equations of the time. In 1999 there was Herschelle Gibbs' infamous dropped catch and Steve Waugh’s much-disputed one-liner in the Super Sixes before that final over capitulation in the semi-final. In 2003 they miscalculated the Duckworth-Lewis method, ending up with a tie against Sri Lanka rather than the win they needed to get out of the group. In 2011 they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by New Zealand and in 2015 the same opponents eliminated them in a semi-final thriller.

In the T20 World Cup, in 2009 they lost a semi-final against eventual champions Pakistan by seven runs thanks to a Shahid Afridi classic. In 2014 they went down at the same stage to India and a Virat Kohli masterclass.

Outside of the 1998 ICC Knockout Trophy, ICC tournaments have only held bad memories for the Proteas.

Tied to those bad memories is the weight of expectations that followed the Proteas into every one of those tournaments. Few countries in the world have produced as much talent as South Africa from the 1990s to now. From Donald to Dale Steyn to Kagiso Rabada, from Gibbs to AB de Villiers to Quinton de Kock; South Africa’s white-ball teams have been blessed with royalty constantly.

The talent is very much still there in this team, yet globally the expectations don’t seem so high. Broadly speaking, when tournaments favourites have been discussed over the past year the teams that have come up have been England and India – No.1 and 2 on the ICC T20I rankings respectively – and reigning champions West Indies.

But within the South African camp, there will be no doubt whatsoever they can go all the way. Given the rare pleasure of flying under the radar going into this tournament, the Proteas have every reason to be confident courtesy of a strong 2021 in T20I cricket.

"As a unit, there’s not as much expectation on people from the outside," Bavuma said at the ICC Captain's Call. "In saying that, for us a team there is a certain level of expectation that we come into this event, we definitely are not coming to fill in or a number or anything like that. We’ve done our work as a collective, that’s the main thing for us and that is our focus."

No team has won more T20I matches this year than South Africa with 11 and their seven-match winning streak is the best active streak in men's T20I cricket right now.

While they suffered back-to-back series defeats against Pakistan at the start of the year, they have since won three consecutive campaigns, triumphing over West Indies, Ireland and Sri Lanka.

Blown away in their series opener against West Indies, the Proteas went on to win their next two matches – one by a run – and eventually took out the series 3-2, winning the decider at St George’s. That series decider was the start of the current winning streak for Temba Bavuma’s team.

That success has come off the back of key players performing with bat and ball.

Wicketkeeper-batter de Kock is enjoying his finest year to date in T20I cricket, already going past his previous best for runs in the format in a calendar year with 455 to his name at a healthy average of 56.87 and a strike rate of 135.82. Only Pakistan’s Babar Azam (523 at 37.35) and Mohammad Rizwan (752 at 94) have more runs than the South African this year and they’ve played 17 matches to his 10.

Crucially for South Africa, de Kock is not playing a lone hand with the bat. The country has three of the top 10 T20I run-scorers this year, with Aiden Markram (408 at 40.80) sixth and Reeza Hendricks (357 at 35.70) ninth.

With the ball, the Proteas boast plenty of fast-bowling weaponry – particularly in the shape of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anirch Nortje – but the jewell in their attack is undoubtedly Tabriz Shamsi.

“It’ll be super important. Those guys Rabada, Nortje, our pacers are obviously a weapon of ours," Bavuma said. "If conditions allow for it we’re definitely hoping that they can exploit those conditions. We’ll also be banking a lot on our slower bowlers, their ability to exploit conditions."

The No.1 men’s T20I bowler in the world, Shamsi has dominated the format this year. With 28 wickets at 12.85 in 2021, alongside a strike rate of 13.9 and economy of 5.53, Shamsi could be the tournament’s most dangerous bowler.

With all that considered, the Proteas should be considered the favourites to get out of their Super 12 group alongside England. After all, they sit fifth on the ICC T20I team rankings, ahead of both Australia (7th) and West Indies (9th), the two other confirmed teams in the group.

It’s against the Australians that South Africa start their campaign on 23 October and Abu Dhabi and if they can get up in that match expect, they won’t be flying under any radars anymore.

For captain Bavuma, leading the team at a global event for the first time, it’s a chance for the Proteas to show the world what they have been building towards for the past 12 months.

“The group that we are in is an exciting one and we’re looking forward to facing off with everyone in it as we go about our mission to reach the final and the ultimate championship,” Bavuma said following the release of the fixtures.

“We have a really exciting team that we are building with a lot of raw talent, coupled with the experienced hands that will guide and lead the youngsters.

“We have spent the greater part of the year preparing for this contest and I look forward to leading our country in my first world showpiece as captain.”

The squad

Temba Bavuma (c), Keshav Maharaj, Quinton de Kock (wk), Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, W Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen

Reserves: George Linde, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lizaad Williams

Their fixtures
23 Oct – v Australia

26 Oct – v West Indies

30 Oct – v A1

2 Nov – v B2

6 Nov – v England

Tournament history

Best finish: semi-finals (2009, 2014)

The T20 World Cup has not been a happy hunting ground for South Africa thus far, with a best finish of the semi-finals in 2009 and 2014. In 2009 they suffered their first loss of the tournament in their semi-final against Pakistan, while they went down to India and a Kohli masterclass in 2014.

Look out for
Temba Bavuma – Captaining South Africa for the first time at an ICC event, Bavuma is looking to do what no Proteas skipper has since 1998 - come home with a trophy.

An electric fielder and exciting batter, Bavuma will be front and centre in South Africa’s campaigns with his decisions as skipper and performances with the bat pivotal to their hopes.

Those two things are intangibly linked as well as South Africa will need to work out how to get the best out of all four of de Kock, Markram, Hendricks and Bavuma given the preference each has for playing at the top of the order.

Key player

Tabraiz Shamsi – Any team boasting the No.1 T20I bowler in the world would make him central to their tournament plans but that will be especially the case for South Africa when it comes to Shamsi.

The left-arm wrist-spinner has been nigh on unplayable in 2021, with 28 wickets at 12.85 and an economy of 5.53 for the calendar year. That’s the most wickets of any bowler, with the best economy of any of the top 10 wicket-takers and second-best average in that same group. Across his 17 T20Is this year, he has gone for less than a run-a-ball 10 times and four or less and over six times.

His value to the team only goes up in Asian conditions where he averages 14 with an economy of 5.93.

Australia – 23 October at Abu Dhabi

If England are the favourites to progress through their group, then it’s anyone’s race to take the second spot, with South Africa’s likeliest opponents for that slot to be West Indies and Australia.

The Proteas have reason to be confident against the West Indies having defeated them 3-2 in a recent series but there are some scars against Australia who dealt them a 2-1 defeat in their 2020 meeting.

The two teams have plenty in common on paper. Both boast daunting top-orders, pace to burn and high-quality spinners. There’s plenty to look forward to in the match and plenty on the line for both sides.

 

[MenInG]

South Africa bowler Dwaine Pretorius insisted he is happy to do an ugly but effective job with the ball as long as it benefits the team.

Proteas captain Temba Bavuma has regularly entrusted his all-rounder to bowl the crucial death overs where he uses a mixture of slower-ball variations to restrict opposition batters.

Speedsters Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, plus MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings No.1 bowler Tabraiz Shamsi, have all caught the eye ahead of Tuesday’s clash against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi, but Pretorius is happy to plug away even if his skills are arguably not the prettiest.

He said: “If I can do a job for the team, again, and put us in a better situation, I'm willing to do that ugly job if you want to call it that - something that doesn't always necessarily look the prettiest but it's very effective.

“And I've built my whole career on that. So, I’m trying to do the best job that I can do for the team.

“Look, obviously I think the dangers at the death are being predictable. So, I'm trying to vary my pace and my lengths quite a bit even though my line is the same, keeping the guys guessing.

“I'm trying to make sure I'm bowling to the batters' plan Cs and Ds instead of their plan A. It's not an ego battle out there; it's trying to be effective as much as possible.”

Pretorius has identical figures of three for 17 in South Africa’s last two Super 12s Group 1 games, wins against West Indies and Sri Lanka, and shed some light on his variations.

The 32-year-old added: “I've worked a lot on different variations of slow balls. So, it's definitely something that I really have focused on.

“Obviously in a T20 World Cup, I think if you only go to one option you might be in trouble.

“So, I’m really trying to mix it up, make sure that even though at the moment guys might be thinking that I'm just going to go wide every time when they face me, even though the line might be predictable, you're still not sure which ball is going to come out.

“Having five options in terms of what I'm looking to do there is something that I've really worked hard on and at the moment it's going well.”

Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo will face his old side knowing the Tigers have virtually no chance of making the semi-finals after three straight losses to West Indies, England and Sri Lanka.

Domingo admitted it was tough to motivate his players after the final-ball defeat to the West Indies but insists his side will be raring to go once the action gets underway at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

He said: “Obviously the boys are gutted. It's been a tough couple of days. They know the expectation back home is high.

“They know the media interest is high. They probably feel they've let a few people down in terms of not crossing the line.

“And obviously morale has been low after those particular losses knowing that our chances in the World Cup are probably over.

“So, it’s not an easy task, particularly in a competition like this, to get guys' morale up, but they're playing for their country tomorrow. And as soon as they cross that white line, they'll be giving 100 per cent again.

“Still two games to go. And guys are really determined to put in a good performance in the next two games.”

 

[Saj]

Overall they've done quite well.

I didn't think they'd qualify for the semi-finals and they've done well to take it to the last game.

I just feel that their seamers have let them down at times.

 

[Saj]

Won 4 out of their 5 matches but don't qualify due to NRR.

Very good from them.

 

[Asif321]

Terrific performance . Reminds me of Pakistan going out on NRR in 2019 WC

 

[sam_ahm]

So much for people writing them off, they've shown a lot of charecter and can hold their heads high.

I follow South African cricket very closely and this is why I was never in favour of having AB or Faf back, you look towards the future. No player is bigger than the game. Likes of Janneman, Verreynne, Hamza are waiting in the wings.

Very proud performance by this South African team and they have shown there is enough life in South African cricket.

 

[ahmadharis1]

That Bangladesh match has come back to haunt them unfortunately... they were my dark horses for the tournament. Very solid and underrated team

 

[mon858]

Terrific performance . Reminds me of Pakistan going out on NRR in 2019 WC

And possibly Beat the potential champion side.

 

[DHONI183]

South Africa announce squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021

South Africa and the team at the top of the table have the equal number of points, and yet they're out of the tournament. The only match that they lost here was just by two balls - a tight encounter by all means - and yet they're out. The net run-rate rule is cruel and unfair, sports is cruel and unfair, but so is life, sadly, and there's also no better way to differentiate between teams on equal points other than the net run-rate. So, no complaints about that, of course. That's life.

However, South Africa can go home with their heads held high for such a proud performance. They, alongside Sri Lanka, were the teams of the tournament for me and, whereas they also have results to show that, Sri Lanka sadly don't. But, either way, I'll take it. I enjoyed watching these two teams the most in the tournament, and that's what matters to me, personally.

Personally, those innings today by Rassie van der Dussen and Markram, especially the blazing partnership between the two, has to be the most scintillating passage of play from the entire tournament. Young guns at their best, enthralling stuff! Take a bow!

 

[DHONI183]

South Africa announce squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021

With due respect to their legends from the past, the likes of Kallis, Graeme Smith, Gibbs, de Villiers, du Plessis, Steyn, Morkel, Pollock, etc., I never saw them turn up with such passion for a global event as these guys did, and never perform them so well in a global event. I mean, England as a team were levels above them, yet they beat them. This is a rarity in South Africa cricket in ICC tournaments.

Well done, guys!

 

[Saj]

Cricket South Africa’s Board commends the men’s Proteas team for their never-say-die attitude and professionalism at the T20 World Cup.

Despite not making the semi-finals, the team carried the nation’s hopes and aspirations on their shoulders with pride and fought like Trojans on the field to win their last four fixtures. They only exited because of a lower net run rate in what was widely viewed as “the group of death”.

Board Chairperson Lawson Naidoo says: “This is a team of champions who displayed character, heart and professionalism throughout. I join all South Africans in thanking them for doing us proud.”

SA’s untimely exit on Saturday followed four consecutive wins and a massive victory over favourites, England.

“SA cricket is the ultimate winner as the momentum gained and lessons learned from this World Cup places us on a powerful upward curve for the future, built on the foundations of excellence, access and inclusivity,” says Naidoo.

SA can now prepare for a three-match ODI series against the Netherlands from November 26 and an all-format tour by India, starting with three tests from December 17.

“With crowds allowed back into stadia, subject to appropriate Covid-19 restrictions, we look forward to a bumper summer of cricket and coming together as one to support our team,” concludes Naidoo.