2014 World T20 Preview : South Africa

Here in this article we preview the South Africa Team’s chances in the 2014 World T20. 

The traditional chokers of World Cricket, the South African Cricket team is yet to taste a victory in world Cups in spite of putting some strong performances in the beginning. They have made it a habit of scrumming under pressure in big games. They are a strong unit and are capable of winning the tournament. They will look to take some inspiration from their Under-19 counterparts who went on to win the ICC Under-19s Cricket World Cup in UAE last month. With the World T20 at stake, the Proteas will be looking for some reversal in fortunes in the ICC Tournaments. Here is a brief analysis of the South African Cricket team ahead of the 2014 ICC World Twenty20.

Squad:

Captain: Faf du Plessis

Coach: Russell Domingo

Batsmen:

•          Hashim Amla
•          Faf du Plessis
•          David Miller
•          JP Duminy
•          Farhaan Behardien

Bowlers:

•          Dale Steyn
•          Morne Morkel
•          Imran Tahir
•          Aaron Phangiso
•          Lonwabo Tsotsobe

All-Rounders:

•          Albie Morkel
•          Beuran Hendricks
•          Wayne Parnell

Wicket Keepers:

•          Quinton de Kock
•          AB de Villiers

The proteas don’t have the firepower of Chris Gayle or David Warner at the top of the order. But they do have a decent opening combination. Ever dependable Hashim Amla, along with latest sensation Quinton de Kock are capable of giving their team a steady start and set the platform for the batsmen to launch at the end. The job of their skipper Faf du Plessis is to carry on the momentum given by the openers and set the stage for the likes of AB de Villiers, David Miller and Albie Morkel to go mad against the bowling at the end of the innings. In case of a top order collapse, JP Duminy will be promoted up the order to do the repair works. HE is a kind of batsman who reads the situation well before playing his shots. With AB, Miller and Morkel, the proteas have a destructive middle order. Presence of AB de Villiers in the side gives them an extra edge as he has the ability to play shots all around the ground irrespective of the bowler. David Miller has already proved his worth in the 2013 Indian Premier League and 2013-14 Ram Slam T20 and he has showed how deadly he can be at the slog overs. Albie Morkel is a proven match winner and is capable of turning the match for his side in a matter of balls. AB de Villiers will take up the role as a finisher. As far as their bowling is concerned, they have a lethal bowling attack of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel who will be supported by Wayne Parnell and Albie Morkel. Even though the pitches in sub-continent known to have nothing for the pacers, Steyn and Morkel have the quality to keep the batsmen under the control. Parnell, on the other hand is in a great form in the recent past and is one of the reason why he is selected ahead of Ryan McLaren in the fifteen member squad. Imran Tahir takes care of the spin department and will be supported by JP Duminy when needed.

Possible Playing XI:  Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.

Schedule:

Date	Against	Venue
22-3-2014	Sri Lanka	Chittagong
24-3-2014	New Zealand	Chittagong
27-3-2014	Qualifier	Chittagong
29-3-2014	England	Chittagong
3-4-2014 & 4-4-2014	Semi-Finals	Mirpur
6-4-2014	Finals	Mirpur