Aiden Markram will lead South Africa’s charge for the first time in an ICC event as he takes on the role of T20I skipper for the Proteas in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, set to unfold in the USA and West Indies.
The squad announcement brings forth notable inclusions, notably Anrich Nortje and Quinton de Kock, both absent from Cricket South Africa’s recent central contract list. Nortje’s return marks a comeback from a back injury sidelining him since September 2023, while De Kock, having bid adieu to ODIs post the 2023 Cricket World Cup and Tests in 2022, gears up for T20I action.
Emerging talents Ryan Rickelton and Ottniel Baartman, propelled by standout performances in the recent SA20 tournament, earn their maiden call-ups. Rickelton’s prolific run-scoring for MI Cape Town and Baartman’s impressive bowling for Sunrisers Eastern Cape secured their spots as uncapped T20I players in the squad.
Complementing the youthful vigour, the Proteas boast a formidable batting lineup with Markram, De Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and the promising Tristan Stubbs.
The pace battery, led by Kagiso Rabada and Nortje, receives support from Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee, while Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj, and Tabraiz Shamsi lead the spin department.
Coach Rob Walter, navigating through a pool of remarkable talent and recent T20 exploits, expressed the difficulty in squad selection. He lauded the inclusion of Rickelton and Baartman and expressed confidence in the squad’s potential for success in the upcoming tournament.
The Proteas kick off their T20 World Cup campaign on June 3, squaring off against Sri Lanka in New York, marking the beginning of their quest for T20 glory in the Caribbean and the USA.
