World T20 2023 Preview: South Africa
Can the Hosts Overcome CSA Obstacles?
Cricket South Africa have done their level best to white ant their own team for the World Cup. Can the team overcome the shortcomings of an administration hell bent on destroying the World Cup dream?
The best captain in the world in this format, the second highest run scorer for the team and the third highest wicket taker. You drop this allrounder because she failed a 2km time trial?
If the Proteas win this tournament it will be simply a matter of the strength and guts of the team. CSA can claim nothing at all. The old men running this calamitous organisation have more pain in store further down the track, for this aging team has no obvious replacements. Next gen has been just as poorly managed.
Squad
It has been a relatively stable team since the previous World Cup in 2020. Players such as Ismail, Wolvaardt, Kapp, Khaka, Luus are the nucleus with a number of other players who have been there for the bulk of the journey.
Schedule
South Africa are in Pool A, along with Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and New Zealand. Their opening fixture is the more simple of the matches they will play and once could assume they will defeat Sri Lanka handsomely. It’s a good opener for the host nation.
After that it becomes considerably more difficult. New Zealand will have their eyes on a semi final spot and will have pinpointed their match against the Proteas as a must win. Indeed, this particular match may decide one of the spots.
Following that grand final, as it were is another massive challenge, in Australia. If South Africa defeat New Zealand then they’ll have good momentum leading into this match and are more than capable of upsetting the Aussies. They will need a lot to go in their favour.
The final match is against Bangladesh who also have an eye on the finals. As with the New Zealand game, this clash could be fierce, and again, may decide one of the top spots in the Pool.
- Sri Lanka (11 Feb)
- New Zealand (14 Feb)
- Australia (19 Feb)
- Bangladesh (22 Feb)
Key Players
A world class fast bowling attack. You have aggression with the feisty Shabnim Ismail, the team’s leading wicket taker. With Marizanne Kapp you have the team’s second leading wicket taker. Fire power from the team’s leading pacers.
Complimenting those two is the most bankable bowler in the world, Ayabonga Khaka. Great economy, takes wickets.
The spin department is a little weak. Skipper Sune Luus can be brilliant on her day – and ordinary the next. It’s a matter of which Sune decides to turn up on the day. Backing her will be the ever improving, and charismatic, Nonkululeko Mlaba.
Batting wise it’s all Laura Wolvaardt. There is no longer Lizelle Lee or Dane van Niekirk. And this is where South Africa’s problems are amplified. Too much experience has been removed from the batting. It’s Laura or bust.
Challenge
The back office has spoken. This should have been a World Cup triumph at home, but the CSA has done their level best to destroy it. Can the Proteas rise above the mismanagement of their minders?
