Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller are among the notable absentees for South Africa's T20I series against West Indies beginning later this month.
The Proteas are currently in the Caribbean for a Test series against West Indies. The first one in Trinidad ended in a draw, and the second is set to start tomorrow in Guyana. There are three T20Is scheduled for 23, 25 and 27 August, and South Africa announced their squad for the white-ball games earlier today (August 14).
WI vs SA: Major absentees from the squad
There were a few notable exceptions from the squad, including star batters Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller. From the squad that made it to the T20 World Cup final in June, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada have also been left out.
New faces in the squad include the likes of Donovan Ferreira, Patrick Kruger, Kwena Maphaka, Jason Smith and Lizaad Williams.
White-ball head coach Rob Walter has today named the 15-player squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International (T20I) series against the West Indies, which gets underway later this month in Trinidad and Tobago.
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) August 14, 2024
Commenting on the squad, Walter said: “Several players were not… pic.twitter.com/hx8PJ4d6tX
CPL 2024 participation could be a reason
Three absentees – Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen – have been confirmed as rested, according to ESPNCricinfo. Leg spinner Nqaba Peter was not considered for selection due to a shoulder injury.
It is possible that the Caribbean Premier League could have contributed to some of the players being left out. Heinrich Klaasen, Anrich Nortje, David Miller and Tabraiz Shamsi are all part of CPL squads, as is Maharaj. However, Tristan Stubbs, part of the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, has been named in the squad.
The second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played without spectators due to construction work, the PCB has confirmed.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 14, 2024
READ: https://t.co/m7hE4rrvsL#PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/2NuA7cOhsS
Head coach Rob Walter spoke about the absentees, saying, "Several players were not considered for this series due to either injury, being in a conditioning block that is related to workload management, or their participation in ongoing T20 leagues.
"This tour allows us to continue developing our player pool whilst maintaining the core of experienced players. It will also expose our emerging talent to quality international opposition, similar to the last time we played against the West Indies in May."
South Africa squad for West Indies T20Is
Batters: Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen
Bowlers: Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, Kwena Maphaka
All-rounders: Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder
Wicketkeepers: Ryan Rickelton, Donovan Ferreira
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