THE PROTEAS SERIES: PICKING THE BEST T20 XI

The successful T20 teams around the world are able to shift and rotate their batting line-up in relation to the match situation. Therefore, the middle order does not have set positions, although for the purpose of this exercise we’ll be naming a No 4 & 5.

No 4: AB de Villiers

THROUGHOUT his T20 international career the debate has raged on about where De Villiers’ unique talents can be best utilised. The theory is “your best batsman must face the most balls”, but is “Mr 360” really South Africa’s “best” T20 batsman? His Proteas T20 record (1 672 runs at 26.12) is ordinary in comparison to exploits for his IPL franchise the Royal Challengers Bangalore (3 755 runs at 41.72). I therefore believe that De Villiers offers the Proteas so much more when he walks to the crease after a platform has been laid. It’s when he is at his destructive best, particularly during the last 10 overs when De Villiers can wreak havoc on the opposition.

No 5: David Miller

RECORD holder of the fastest T20 international century, Miller picks himself for this team. His blazing century off just 35 balls against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom in 2017 was a classic example of Miller’s bludgeoning power. His innings included five successive sixes off Mohammad Saifuddin. The southpaw is extremely strong straight down the ground and over mid-wicket, hence the term “Millertime” when he gets his groove going. Fully committed to being a T20 freelancer now after retiring from first-class cricket a couple of years ago, Miller parades his skills all around the world for a number of franchise teams.

NOTABLES

Rilee Rossouw: Arguably the Proteas’ biggest Kolpak loss, Rossouw had so much to offer when he turned his back on international cricket in favour of a career with Hampshire in the county | Graphic: MATTHYS MOSS | BackpagePix championship. It was no more evident than on his T20 debut against Australia at the Adelaide Oval when he smashed SA to victory by virtue of a magnificent 78 off only 50 balls.

Heinrich Klaasen: The ginger-haired Titans player has only played 11 T20s for the Proteas so far, but few have dominated India’s spin threat of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal like Klaasen. Furthermore, his strike-rate of 154.52 is up with the world’s best.