Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee will return to international cricket in next month’s T20I series against India at home after a conditioning break. Both players have been part of the CSA domestic T20 Challenge, with Jansen last appearing in the T20 World Cup in June and Coetzee in the previous T20I series against the West Indies in May.
The pair worked on a shoulder and hip issue respectively and were the first two players to be given an extended period of time off when Cricket South Africa (CSA) introduced structured breaks into the game to work on conditioning. Lungi Ngidi, who is part of the Test squad in Bangladesh but has not played a match since an ODI in October, will have his turn at work over the next six weeks as he prepares for the home Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. He is not part of the T20I squad for the India series, while Kagiso Rabada has been rested with the Tests in mind.
Fast bowler Anrich Nortje, who opted not to sign a national contract, has also not been named in the squad. “I wanted to prioritize other fast bowlers in the group. Anrich is a quality player, he plays in leagues all over the world and we know what we get from him. We need to give some of our other bowlers the opportunity to play against quality opponents,” said Rob Walter, South Africa’s white-ball coach at a press conference.
South Africa still have several big names in the team. Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Keshav Maharaj, who were not part of South Africa’s white-ball teams in the United Arab Emirates, have been included.
The team will be captained by regular leader Aiden Markram and will have Reeza Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton at the top of the order.
There are two uncapped players, all-rounders Mihlali Mpongwana and Andile Simelane, who were the second leading wicket-takers in the recently completed T20 Challenge. They were among the four players who took 12 wickets with averages of 14.08 and 14.25 respectively. Both have been part of South African teams in the recent past and add to a strong all-round contingent. Donovan Ferreira, who was the T20 Challenge’s third-highest scorer, and Patrick Kruger have also been included.
In particular, there is no place for Tabraiz Shamsi after he also resigned from a national contract last month. He remains available for international cricket but South Africa have opted for Maharaj and leg-spinner Nqabayomzi Peter.
“Shammo’s situation is similar to that of Anrich Nortje,” Walter said. “Both are available and eager to play. For me, giving Nqaba Peter the opportunity to play was a priority. Shammo has played a lot for South Africa and in leagues around the world. We know what we get from Shammo.
“He is a fierce competitor and loves playing for South Africa. It is important that we strike the right balance between experience and inexperience.”
South Africa’s bowling contingent will be bolstered by the addition of Lutho Sipamla for the third and fourth matches at the Highveld. Sipamla last played for South Africa in 2022 in a Test match and has not played a white-ball international since April 2021, but his personal best of 4 for 12 at the Wanderers in the T20 Challenge final forced him into to the team. Sipamla will not be in the team for the coastal games in Durban and Gqeberha, which kick off the series, which begins on November 8.
“Quinny’s condition is the same as it has been for the last few months. I am still leaving the ball in his court. I have allowed him to have his space and not play international cricket. If he wants to play for South Africa, we will.” have that conversation. For now, he is not part of our selection conversation,” Walter said.
South Africa squad for T20I against India
Aiden Markram, Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Patrick Kruger, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla, Tristan Stubbs
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