Faf du Plessis Misses Out As South Africa Announce 15-member Squad For ICC T20 World Cup 2021

Former captain and middle-order batsman Faf du Plessis has not been named in South Africa‘s 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup, which will be played in the UAE and Oman this year from 17 October.

This will be the first ICC tournament for Temba Bavuma as the Proteas captain after taking over the captaincy from Quinton de Kock earlier this year.

Faf du Plessis, who was the skipper of South Africa in the 2019 World Cup, hasn’t played a white-ball international since December last year. He has been, however, plying his trade successfully in the franchise leagues around the world, and recently hit a thunderous century in the CPL; he will soon turn up in the UAE for the Chennai Super Kings to play in the remainder of the IPL 2021.

Another senior cricketer in Imran Tahir, who hasn’t retired from T20Is, is also missing from the squad. Tahir hasn’t played for South Africa since the World Cup a couple of years ago. In his absence, chinaman Tabraiz Shamsi has taken up the mantle in the spin department and has become the number 1 ICC T20I spinner.

Victor Mpitsang, CSA Convenor of Selectors, said:

“The National Selection Panel and I are extremely excited to announce this squad, which we believe is a world-beating squad,” said Mpitsang in a statement.

“It has been a busy last few months for the Proteas, and we have had enough time to assess our options and we are pleased with the outcome,” he added.

The squad is on the expected lines and most of the players have been together on the tours to West Indies and Sri Lanka. Andile Phehlukwayo, George Linde and Lizaad Williams are the three travelling reserves.

“We are confident that we have a well-balanced and well thought out World Cup squad, with reserve players that are more than capable and up to the job if called up for it.

“The team has blossomed well under the leadership of Temba Bavuma and we look forward to seeing his return to the international stage once he is fully recovered from injury,” he added

South Africa are currently in Sri Lanka for white-ball matches. Spinner Keshav Maharaj is leading them in absence of injured Bavuma.

The Proteas will take on Australia in the first game of the Super 12 stage on October 23 in Abu Dhabi. England, West Indies, and two other teams who will qualify from ‘Round 1’ are alongside them in Group 1 of the Super 12 stage.

South Africa squad for T20 World Cup 2021:

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

Travelling Reserves:

Andile Phehlukwayo, George Linde, Lizaad Williams.

Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2021: England Announce Their Squad For The Tournament