JOHANNESBURG: White-ball head coach Rob Walter has today named a strong 16-player squad for the upcoming four-match Wonder Cement T20 International (T20I) series against India, scheduled from 08 to 15 November.
Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, along with Keshav Maharaj, return to the Proteas T20I side for the first international series of the home summer. Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen have also been included in the squad after completing their structured conditioning blocks.
World Sports Betting Western Province all-rounder Mihlali Mpongwana has received his maiden call-up. The 24-year-old finished as one of the top wicket-takers in this season’s CSA T20 Challenge with 12 wickets at an average of 14.08. He is joined by uncapped Hollywoodbets Dolphins all-rounder Andile Simelane, who was part of the squad that toured the United Arab Emirates in September.
DP World Lions fast bowler Lutho Sipamla has been added to the squad for the third and fourth T20Is. The 26-year-old returns to the limited-overs setup for the first time since February 2021 following an impressive CSA T20 Challenge campaign, which saw him claim a career-best 4 for 12 in the title-winning final against the Momentum Multiply Titans on Sunday.
Kagiso Rabada has been rested for the series, while Lungi Ngidi was not considered for selection as he undertakes a conditioning block in preparation for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins later in November.
The squad will convene in Durban on Monday, 04 November. Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs are currently in Bangladesh for the ongoing Test series and will join the squad on Wednesday, 06 November.
Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium will host the first match of the series on Friday, 08 November, before the two sides head to Gqeberha for the second match at Dafabet St George’s Park on Sunday, 10 November.
The series then moves to the Highveld, with the third match taking place at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday, 13 November, and wraps up at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday, 15 November.
Commenting on the squad, Walter said: “It’s both an exciting and important series for us as we continue to build towards the T20 World Cup in 2026. The squad has a nice mix of youth and experience, and I am looking forward to seeing us deliver some quality performances against a very attacking Indian T20 outfit.”
“We continue to drive our broader priorities of exposing our high-potential players to quality opposition as we look to widen our base of internationally ready players, whilst at the same time understanding that our main objectives as always are to play a brand of cricket that excites our supporters and wins games of cricket for South Africa.”
Proteas T20I squad against India
Aiden Markram (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Donovan Ferreira (Momentum Multiply Titans), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Auto Investments North West Dragons), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Patrick Kruger (Dafabet Warriors), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lutho Sipamla (3rd and 4th T20Is, DP World Lions), and Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors).
South Africa Wonder Cement T20I Series against India
Friday, 08 November – 17:00
South Africa vs India – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban
Sunday, 10 November – 16:00
South Africa vs India – Dafabet St George’s Park, Gqeberha
Wednesday, 13 November – 17:00
South Africa vs India – SuperSport Park, Centurion
Friday, 15 November – 17:00
South Africa vs India – DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Source: cricket.co.za
Jonty Rhodes: When it comes to ranking greatness, fielding takes a backseat, but not when it’s Jonty Rhodes. He raised the bar of fielding to a height that is still untouchable. Widely regarded as the best fielder of all time, Rhodes makes it to 10th on the list.
Rhodes was the first South African cricketer to take 100 catches in ODI. Apart from fielding Rhodes has a decent batting record. He has scored over 8000 career runs with a top score of 121 in ODI.
Short Firecracker
Sanath Jayasuriya has more ODI wickets than Shane Warne.
Troubled Chick
And what’s Test Cricket, you ask? It’s the longest form of the sport of cricket: The two teams play a four-innings match, which may last up to five days or longer.