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South Africa have announced their squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which is set to begin on June 2 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). This tournament marks a significant occasion for the Proteas as they aim to break their long-standing jinx of not winning an ICC title. Aiden Markram will lead the team in their first global tournament under his captaincy, taking over from the previous skipper, Temba Bavuma.
South Africa’s performance in T20 World Cup 2022
In 2022, South Africa faced one of the biggest upsets in their cricketing history when they were knocked out of the Super 12 stage by the Netherlands. Despite the disappointment, several South African players made notable contributions during the tournament. However, some of these key players will not feature in the 2024 edition.
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3 players from South Africa from 2022 T20 World Cup who didn’t make it to 2024 edition:
In the 2022 edition, several South African players played crucial roles but will not feature in the 2024 edition. Among these are Rilee Rossouw, Bavuma and Wayne Parnell. Here’s a detailed look at their contributions and their absence in the upcoming tournament:
1. Rilee Rossouw
Rossouw was a significant performer for South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2022. In his five matches, Rossouw batted in four innings, accumulating 141 runs from 83 balls with an impressive strike rate of 169.87. His highest score was 109 against Bangladesh, which showcases his capability to play match-winning innings. With an average of 35.25, he was one of the key batters for South Africa. Rossouw’s ability to hit boundaries was evident with 9 fours and 9 sixes during the tournament.
Rilee, nevertheless, had a bad SA20 2024 where he could accumulate only 156 runs in 10 games with an abysmal average of 17.33 that was enough to show his inconsistency in the shortest format which might have forced the selectors to look ahead of him.
2. Temba Bavuma
Bavuma, the former South African captain, had a challenging T20 World Cup in 2022. Over five matches, Bavuma managed to score only 70 runs from 62 balls, with a highest score of 36. His average stood at 17.50, with a strike rate of 112.90, indicating struggles to accelerate the scoring rate. Bavuma hit 6 fours and 2 sixes but could not make a significant impact.
Given the competitive nature of international cricket and the need for quick scoring in T20s, Bavuma’s absence from the 2024 squad may be a result of the selectors looking for more dynamic options at the top of the order who could attack right from the start.
3. Wayne Parnell
Parnell was a versatile bowler for South Africa in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He played in all five matches, delivering 16 overs and taking 5 wickets at an average of 20.40. Parnell’s best bowling figures were 3/15, and he maintained a commendable economy rate of 6.37, with a strike rate of 19.2. His consistent performance with the ball and ability to keep the run rate in check were valuable for South Africa.
Despite his contributions, Parnell will not be participating in the 2024 edition, possibly due to the emergence of younger bowlers in the form of Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee or a shift in team dynamics and strategies.
Special mention:
1. Dwaine Pretorius
Dwaine Pretorius, known for his all-round abilities, was a valuable asset for South Africa. His skills with both bat and ball made him a versatile player capable of contributing in various situations. Despite being part of the 2022 T20 World Cup squad, Pretorius did not play in any matches during the tournament. His experience and capability to perform under pressure were recognized, yet he couldn’t showcase his talent on that particular stage because of non-selection
In January 2023, Pretorius decided to retire from international cricket, marking the end of a significant chapter in his career. His retirement was a substantial loss for the South African team, as his all-round skills and on-field experience were invaluable. Pretorius had a commendable career, and his presence will be missed in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad.
