Stubbs, Bavuma have Proteas backing ahead of T20 World Cup

The 2022 T20 World Cup tournament begins on October 16 when the First Round teams do battle, with the final set to be held at the MCG on November 13 as the Proteas go in search of a historic ICC world title.

The South African team has certainly shown some encouraging signs of late as the likes of Rilee Rossouw and Tristan Stubbs have added firepower to the batting lineup, while Tabraiz Shamsi and Lungi Ngidi are world-class bowlers in this format of the game.

On Tuesday, Cricket South Africa officially unveiled the Proteas squad for the World Cup, with Temba Bavuma named to lead the side after recovering from a serious elbow injury.

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Despite the injury setback, Bavuma is now set to open the batting for the Proteas in what will be an all-important role at the top of the order.

“Temba has been playing for the Lions, he’s well recovered and he’s ready. He will be opening the batting because that’s the role he’s played for the last year, so that’s where I see him batting,” convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang said.

“We’ll start to see in India, but based on the conditions that we have in front of us, but we have the resources to make the calls when the time comes. We had (Reeza) Hendricks opening the batting in India and Temba batting at three, while Rilee has batted at three and very well.”

The 15-player squad and three travelling reserves will also make the trip to India ahead of the tournament for the three-match T20I series later this month. Other notable selections include Rilee Rossouw and Wayne Parnell, with the selectors naming three travelling reserves in Bjorn Fortuin, Marco Jansen and Andile Phehlukwayo.

There is great excitement about the potential of young Stubbs, who will provide the Proteas batting lineup with real X factor.

“We’ve already seen how versatile he is and the way he finishes innings, he’s playing the brand of cricket that Mark has been talking to the team about,” Mpitsang said.

“He’s young, exciting and he’s fearless. He showed that at international level but he’s also shown that domestically. He’s ticked many boxes, one of them not being fearful when he plays for South Africa and there’s enough experience in the team to guide him.”

Rassie van der Dussen has been ruled out of the tournament due to a fracture of his left index finger that he sustained during the second Test against England in Manchester. He will require surgery and is expected to take up to at least six weeks to recover.

The squad departs for India on 23 September.

Proteas squad:

The Proteas squad for the #T20WorldCup: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton De Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaassen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rilee Russouw, Tristan Stubbs.

Travelling Reserves: Bjorn Fortuin, Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo #T20WorldCup

South Africa Group Stage Itinerary – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022 Monday, 24 October – 19:00 (10:00 SAST)

South Africa vs Qualifier B1 – Bellerive Oval, Hobart

Thursday, 27 October – 14:00 (05:00 SAST)

South Africa vs Bangladesh – SCG, Sydney

Sunday, 30 October – 19:00 (13:00 SAST)

India vs South Africa – Perth Stadium, Perth

Thursday, 03 November – 19:00 (10:00 SAST)

Pakistan vs South Africa – SCG, Sydney

Sunday, 06 November – 10:30 (02:00 SAST)

South Africa vs Qualifier A2 – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Semi-finals

First semi-final
Wednesday, 9 November – 19:00 (10:00 SAST) TBD vs TBD – SCG, Sydney

Second semi-final
Thursday, 10 November – 18:30 (10:00 SAST) TBD vs TBD Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Final
Sunday, 13 November – 19:00 (10:00 SAST) TBD vs TBD – MCG, Melbourne

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Yet to be announced