T20 World Cup 2022 is approaching us fast with the cricketing nations and their fans waiting with bated breath. South Africa, is one team which has had a mixed luck in the ICC tournaments. The team from the rainbow nation has won just one ICC tournament way back in 1998. It was under Late skipper Hansie Cronje led them to the ICC knockout tournament (now known as the ICC champions trophy).
The T20 World Cup 2022 to be held at Australia will be yet another chance for the South Africans to break the jinx. To think that South Africa had some of the biggest names like, Gibbs, Kirsten, AB De Villiers, Allan Donald, Steyn, Morkel and many more haven’t won a ICC tournament is unfathomable.
Strengths – Power Hitting Batters and Fast bowling quotient –
South African team for the T20 World Cup 2022 will have the likes of Quinton De Kock, Reeza Hendricks as well as Aiden Markram are some of better players in the T20 format. De Kock in particular will have to shoulder the majority of responsibility for the South African team if they have to win the T20 World Cup 2022.
Temba Bavuma may not be looked at as a natural white ball format player, but the 32 year old is slowly shaping South African team into a better team after a host of retirements. The return of Rilee Rossouw to the South African set up has made the team stronger.
Strong bowling attack –
South Africa perhaps have the best bowling attack apart from Australia and Pakistan. In pacers like Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi all have the ability to bowl at 150 KPH on any given day. Coupled with the fact they have a strong left arm seamer in Wayne Parnell and a dependable medium pacer in Dwayne Pretorius, the South Africans have all the bases covered.
As far as the spin department goes, they have two experienced left arm bowlers of varying kinds. Keshav Maharaj is not only economical but also a proven wicket taker, Tabriz Shamsi, with his left arm wrist spin is also a proven wicket taker. Aiden Markram is more than handy with his off spin and has taken some crucial wickets in the middle overs.
Weakness – Absence of Rassie Van Der Dussen and inexperience in the middle order
South Africa, shocked the cricketing world when they decided to omit the exciting Rassie Van Der Dussen. The talented right hander was looked as the batter who could perhaps lead the next generation of South African batters with his presence. The absence of AB De Villiers and Faf Du Plessis has set the South Africans back a bit, but the absence of Van Der Dussen could further hamper them.
Heinrich Klassen and David Miller might be destructive on their day, but the duo haven’t played cricket for a while now. Miller hasn’t set the CPL on fire with a mere 160 runs from 8 games. Klassen on the other hand has played 8 games in the CPL scoring mere 175 runs with one half century. This won’t be the kind of form Bavuma will hope from his middle order going into the T20 World Cup 2022 tournament.
Opportunities – chance for youngters and forgotten stars to step up
Tristan Stubbs was the costliest player bought during the recently concluded SA20 auctions. Stubbs heads into T20 World Cup 2022 and will be keen to display his skills and talent for the first time at the world stage. Stubbs has put the world on notice with his big hitting skills. He is also an electric fielder, whether inside the circle or outside, he can also roll his arm over and bowl some more than useful off spin bowling.
Rilee Rossouw was away from the South African set up for a long time after he opted for the Kolpak deal. Post the Brexit, the Kolpak isn’t a factor anymore and the return of the left hander will be a boon for the South Africans. Rossouw has the ability to anchor the innings, as well as play the big shots towards the back end. This T20 World Cup 2022 will be a huge chance for the 32 year old to prove his worth.
Threats – The age old tendency to choke
The term “Chokers” might be looked at as a curse word by the fans of South African team. The fact and it is historically proven, the South African either due to misfortune or their own doing have failed miserably in the knock out stages of big ICC tournaments. The biggest threat that the South Africans face is nine bigger than the ability to self implode and choke in big games.
South African squad for the T20 World Cup
Quinton De Kock, Temba Bavuma, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klassen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Rilee Rossouw, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada and Tabriz Shamsi.
Captain – Temba Bavuma
Wicket keeper – Quinton De Kock
Heinrich Klassen
Previous record – Semi finals, 2009 and 2014