By Herman Mostert.
Proteas white-ball head coach Rob Walter on Wednesday named a 15-man squad for this month’s three-match home T20I series against Pakistan.
Heinrich Klaasen will captain South Africa in the absence of regular skipper Aiden Markram, who is currently involved in the Test series against Sri Lanka.
The Proteas will tackle Pakistan in T20 clashes in Durban (10 December), Centurion, (13 December) and Johannesburg (14 December).
After the T20I series, there will also be three ODIs (17 December – Paarl; 19 December – Cape Town; and 22 December – Johannesburg) and two Tests (26-30 December – Centurion; and 3-7 January – Cape Town).
Markram, along with all-format stalwarts Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Tristan Stubbs, will miss the Pakistan T20I series due to the quick turnaround from the Sri Lanka Test series. Cricket South Africa said the quintet will return for the ODI series against Pakistan.
The Proteas’ T20 squad for the Pakistan series sees the return of Warriors fast bowler Anrich Nortje and Titans spinner Tabraiz Shamsi for the first time since the T20 World Cup in June.
Western Province all-rounder George Linde also makes a welcome return, having last played a T20 game for his country in July 2021 against Ireland. The 33-year-old, who boasts 14 T20I caps, had an impressive run in this season’s CSA T20 Challenge, scoring 171 runs at a strike-rate of 178.12 and bagging nine wickets at an average of 18.33.
Heinrich Klaasen (captain, Titans), Ottneil Baartman (Dolphins), Matthew Breetzke* (Warriors), Donovan Ferreira (Titans), Reeza Hendricks (Lions), Patrick Kruger (Warriors), George Linde (Western Province), Kwena Maphaka* (Lions), David Miller (Dolphins), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Nqaba Peter (Lions), Ryan Rickelton* (Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi** (Titans), Andile Simelane (Dolphins) and Rassie van der Dussen (Lions)
*Matthew Breetzke, Kwena Maphaka and Ryan Rickelton are set to join the squad following their Test commitments against Sri Lanka.
** Tabraiz Shamsi’s participation in the ongoing Global Super League in Guyana may affect his availability for the 1st T20I.
The Proteas’ T20 squad will begin preparations with a two-day camp at the Centre of Excellence in Pretoria from 6-8 December, before heading to Durban on Sunday.
“All 15 players are capped, and we’re looking to build on the experience within the group as we continue to grow as a unit,” said Walter.
Walter said he had full confidence in Klaasen leading the side.
“He is a vastly experienced player with a strong understanding and reading of the game. We look forward to utilising him in this role after his previous experiences in 2021.
“We have also given George an opportunity again. He really earned his spot off the back of a strong domestic campaign, and his skills as a spinning all-rounder add important balance to the team.
“We’re pleased to have Anrich and Tabraiz back in the squad. Their wealth of experience and skill significantly bolsters our bowling unit, enhancing both our pace and spin departments, which will be key against a strong Pakistan side.”