World Cup 2019: South Africa bank on experience as they announce 15-man squad
South Africa have announced their 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup in England which will be led by Faf du Plessis. The Proteas have decided to go with the tried and trusted performers over the years and will depend on their experienced campaigners to deliver them their first World Cup campaign glory.
Apart from du Plessis, South Africa have included the likes of Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and JP Duminy who have been a part of the set-up for around a decade. The current edition of the tournament is likely to be the final World Cup in which many current stars of the team will participate in. JP Duminy and Imran Tahir have already announced that they will retire from ODI cricket after the conclusion of the tournament.
Here’s your team South Africa! #ProteaFire #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/sAcso5pu1f
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) April 18, 2019
The batting department will be led by Amla, du Plessis, Miller, Duminy and wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock; all brilliant performers over the years for South African cricket.
The bowling department also has plenty of penetration in the form of Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Imran Tahir.
The selectors have also included all-rounders Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorius who will lend much-needed balance to the squad. The likes of Anrich Nortje, Rassie van der Dussen and Tabraiz Shamsi will provide quality backup in the squad.
All-rounder Chris Morris and batsman Reeza Hendricks have been ignored by the selectors.
South Africa will start their campaign in the tournament opener against hosts England at the Oval on May 30. Before the start of the tournament, they will play a couple of warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and West Indies.
South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), JP Duminy, David Miller, Dale Steyn, Andile Phehlukwayo, Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorius, Quinton de Kock (wk), Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Hashim Amla, Tabraiz Shamsi.
