Proteas: new look, new T20 skipper

Heinrich Klaasen has been named as the captain of the Proteas T20 squad for the three-match series against Pakistan next month.

The 29-year-old Titans right-hander, who also keeps wicket on occasion, will lead the national team for the first time in Lahore from 11-14 February.

The selection strategy forms part of the measures put in place by Cricket South Africa (CSA) to ensure that the Test squad, led Quinton de Kock, can return to South Africa to satisfy the overseas travel Covid-19 quarantine protocol ahead of a three-match home Test Series against Australia.

“We have had to do a bit of outside-of-the-box thinking to ensure that we are fully prepared for the Test tour against Australia, while ensuring an exciting T20 series in Pakistan,” explained CSA Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith.

The 18-man T20 squad boasts several new faces as the Proteas continue to rebuild and now seemed like the best time for the selectors to look at new options with the ICC T20 World Cup taking place in India this September.

Okuhle Cele, Ryan Rickleton and Jacques Snyman have got their maiden national team call-ups, while Glenton Stuurman returns to the national team from injury.

Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla and George Linde from the Test squad have also been included and along with Andile Phehlukwayo, Reeza Hendricks and Jon-Jon Smuts, will offer the required experience that the predominantly youthful squad will require to excel in Lahore.

“A lot will be said about the inexperience of this team but we are excited to see what these youngsters will do under difficult onditions. But more than that, we as a panel, are looking forward to seeing the more experienced players step up as leaders and take ownership of the team,” said selection convener Victor Mpitsang.