Ryan Rickelton (AP Photo) South Africa announced their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup and made some big and surprising decisions. Young fast bowler Kwena Maphaka and top-order batsman Jason Smith were included in the team. However, there is no room for batsmen Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs. Jason Smith’s selection comes after his strong recent performances. He has been in good form in T20 cricket and earned a place ahead of Stubbs, who was part of the South African team that finished second in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
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Smith made his T20I debut in 2024 and has a strike rate of 128.30. He currently plays for MI Cape Town in the SA20 league. One of his best recent knocks came in the T20 Challenge in November where he smashed an unbeaten 68 runs off just 19 balls to help the Dolphins into the play-offs. Ryan Rickelton, on the other hand, failed to make his mark in a team that was already filled with players of the highest order. Captain Aiden Markram and batsman Quinton de Kock are among the main options at the top of the order. Along with Smith and Maphaka, several players received their first ever World T20 invitations. These include Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira and George Linde. South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad spoke about the team’s preparation and the conditions in the subcontinent. He said, “We are coming back to the subcontinent where we recently faced hosts India. The experience we have gained playing in these conditions will undoubtedly help us going into this tournament.” “Many of the players selected for the World Cup squad have been on this trip and experienced first-hand the pitches we are likely to encounter and will serve them well when we get to India. Conrad also added, “We have one more T20I series against the West Indies before we leave for the World Cup and that squad will be announced later this month.” Star fast bowler Kagiso Rabada returns to the T20I side after missing the recent tour of India due to a rib injury. Anrich Nortje is also back in the squad after finishing as South Africa’s leading wicket-taker at the 2024 T20 World Cup. South Africa are placed in Group D along with Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. They will begin their campaign on February 9 against Canada in Ahmedabad. Former all-rounder Albie Morkel will join the team as an expert consultant.South Africa Squad: Captain, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Cock’s 100, Journal, George, George Linde, Geshav Maharaj, Maphaka, David Miller, Anrich Nortje.
