Door still open for World Cup
THE PROTEAS are closing in on their 2019 World Cup squad with the showpiece event less than nine months away.
Their next few assignments, against Zimbabwe and then Australia, will see South Africa look to apply the finishing touches to any areas of lingering doubt that may still be there.
“We are getting closer and closer,” convener of selectors Linda Zondi said at the PMB Oval on the first day of the Africa T20 Cup yesterday.
“The Zimbabwe series gives us a chance to look at a guy like Christiaan Jonker, who has shown that he has the ability to be a finisher. He will play, and get a proper chance to prove himself,” Zondi said of the Warriors middle-order man.
“If you look at the schedule, Zimbabwe and Australia are quite close together. We would like to take a strong side to Australia to test those combinations, and then we start really closing in for Pakistan and Sri Lanka. There is still time,” Zondi explained.
The return of Titans ace Chris Morris is also on the horizon and Zondi noted that the experienced all-rounder still has time to show what he can do. There is another opportunity for the likes of Reeza Hendricks and Heinrich Klaasen to impress.
“We played Reeza out of position in Sri Lanka and he adapted. We would like to see him in his preferred position now, and also look at Klaasen with the gloves. Quinny (de Kock) deserves a break, and Klaasen deserves his chance. At this stage, it is important to give players the best chance to perform in their usual roles for their franchises.”
Zondi said he was also keen to see Dale Steyn in action, as the veteran has had a busy winter of international duty and county cricket.
While there may be a lot of interest around Steyn breaking the South African record for Test scalps, the World Cup remains another massive goal for the speedster. He could form an impressive pace trio along with Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, and Zondi maintained that a balanced attack will be the key in the UK, especially in the early summer.
“We are looking at all our options, and the door is not closed yet. You saw how well JP (Duminy) came back in Sri Lanka. Players have dips in form, but the quality is still there. So a guy like Vernon Philander is also an option, because of the skill-set that he comes with. So, we are using the next two series as a platform to test combinations we think can work.”
Skipper Faf du Plessis is fit again, and there is also a return to T20 action for veteran Imran Tahir.
“It is good to have Immy back because he remains a vital part of the white-ball plans. His experience and match-winning ability will be vital next year.” Tahir is currently in the West Indies starring in the CPL.
David Miller, who this week announced his unavailability for firstclass cricket, is also in the T20 squad. Zondi added that the Dolphins lefthander is still an integral part of the plans for next year.