2021 ICC T20 World Cup Team Preview: South Africa
South Africa look to end their trophy drought in the UAE
The 2021 edition of the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup is scheduled to be played in the UAE and Oman.
The tournament will see twelve teams who will compete for the ultimate prize of lifting the trophy on November 14 in Dubai.
South Africa will start the competition not as favorites as they have been a mixed-bag in the T20 format.
The Proteas have never qualified for the finals of the competition. They have reached the semifinals on two occasion (2009, 2014 T20 World Cups).
The selectors have picked a squad that has nice mix of youth and experience for the showpiece event. Temba Bavuma will lead the side for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.
Records in T20Is:
South Africa have a great record while playing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where they have suffered only one defeat in six matches.
Over the last 12 months, South Africa have suffered from inconsistency in the 20-over format where they won 13 and lost 11 in 24 matches played.
In the T20 World Cup, the Proteas have managed to win 20 times in 31 outing which included 13 defeats.
Batting department:
South Africa have quality players like Aiden Markram, David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen, who have put in excellent performances in the T20 format this year.
In the presence of experienced pros like captain Temba Bavuma, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram and David Miller will need to deliver notable scores for South Africa.
Aiden Markram’s form has been excellent in the T20 format this season and will be keen to make an impact with the bat for South Africa in his maiden T20 World Cup competition. Besides Markram, David Miller has been bankable performer for South Africa in the shortest format of the game.
Besides, Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen are the experienced players in the setup, who will be keen to make decent contributions in their first T20 World Cup competition.
The presence of all-rounders Dwaine Pretorius, Wiann Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo, the three of them can bat and contribute with the ball in hand , brings the much-needed balance.
Bowling department:
South Africa have one of the strongest bowling attacks for this T20 World Cup. The side will be heavily relying on three pacers—Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi— and they will be accompanied by two all-rounders Dwaine Pretorius and Wiann Mulder.
These bowlers will be keen to make early inroads with the new-ball. Anrich Nortje’s recent performances in the UAE leg of IPL were sensational to say the least.
The spin department looks strong as well where Keshav Maharaj, Bjorn Fortuin and Tabraiz Shamsi are likely to be more than handy in conditions where there will be assistance for the slower bowlers.
Oppositions:
South Africa are placed in Group 1 alongside 50-over world champions England, Two-time T20 Champions West Indies and Australia whereas two teams will join the group after the qualifying round.
The Temba Bavuma-side will be playing their first match against Australia at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on 23rd October.
