T20 WC 2021: CSA name 15-member South Africa squad, no place for Faf & Imran Tahir

In a slightly surprising turn of events, Faf du Plessis has missed out on being named in South Africa’s 15-man T20 World Cup 2021 squad, which was announced by Cricket South Africa on September 9.

The tournament is set to be played in the United Arab Emirates and Oman between October 18 to November 14, where the Proteas will be led by Temba Bavuma, who on his hands has the first major multi-tournament assignment ever since his permanent appointment at the helm.

Other notable exclusions in the squad are that of veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir and all-rounder Chris Morris, who both have been regulars in different franchise-based short-format leagues. Tahir was with the Birmingham Phoenix, the runners-up of the inaugural edition of The Men’s Hundred 2021, where he bagged 10 wickets in nine matches at 24.50, while he is currently the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the ongoing CPL 2021, with 11 wickets in eight matches for Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Morris, the most expensive buy in the IPL auction history, was last active for Rajasthan Royals during the currently-suspended edition of the Indian Premier League, where he bagged 14 wickets at an impressive average of 16 in seven games until the season suspension.

All three in Plessis, Morris and Tahir will be a part of their respective IPL teams soon, as the second leg of the league commences before the T20 World Cup. Apart from them, the squad has World No.1 T20I spinner Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj, while left-arm spinner George Linde has been named as one of the travelling reserves alongside seam-bowling all-rounder Andile Phelukwayo and medium-pacer Lizaad Williams. The Proteas pace battery wears an expected look with the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi included.

Meanwhile, South Africa, like all other teams, have until October 10 to finalize their World Cup squad. The team will kickstart their proceedings against Australia on October 23 in Abu Dhabi.

South Africa squad for T20 World Cup 2021

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