CSA have released five players from the T20I squad who will return to the CSA Four-Day Domestic Series or for rest and/or recuperation reasons.
Faf du Plessis (rest), Kagiso Rabada (injury rehabilitation, recuperation and rest), Pite van Biljon, Bjorn Fortuin and Reeza Hendricks (all to return to 4-Day Domestic Series).
This has trimmed the initial squad down to 18 players, with Dwaine Pretorius having already pulled out due to injury before the opening game.
With the release of Faf du Plessis, Pite van Biljon and Reeza Hendricks, it leaves the Proteas with 7 batsmen to pick from, making the decision a lot easier when selecting a batting unit.
Janneman Malan, Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen would most likely win the race amongst fans when it comes to selecting a top 4, although many would love to see David Miller get an opportunity higher up the order.
The middle-order battle seems to be between Heinrich Klaasen, Kyle Verreynne and Jon-Jon Smuts, even though Smuts is in-fact a top-three batsman for the Warriors.
Bjorn Fortuin’s release may come as a shock and deemed unfair because he had to live in a bio bubble, and has been sent home without the reward of a game or an opportunity to showcase his ability in the T20Is.
Here’s the full squad:
- Quinton de Kock (captain),
- Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions),
- Junior Dala (Momentum Multiply Titans),
- Beuran Hendricks (Imperial Lions),
- Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans)
- George Linde (Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras)
- Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
- Janneman Malan (Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras)
- David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
- Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans),
- Anrich Nortje (Warriors),
- Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins),
- Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans),
- Lutho Sipamla (Imperial Lions),
- Jon-Jon Smuts (Warriors),
- Glenton Stuurman (Warriors),
- Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions),
- Kyle Verreynne (Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras).
