Squads Announced for White-Ball Tours Against Afghanistan and Ireland

JOHANNESBURG: White-ball head coach Rob Walter has today announced the squads for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan and the proceeding white-ball tour against Ireland, which get underway in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later this month.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins all-rounder Jason Smith and DP World Lions spinner Nqaba Peter, who are both capped in T20 Internationals (T20I), have earned their maiden ODI call-ups.

Dolphins all-rounder Andile Simelane will gain exposure to the national set-up for the first time after being named in both the ODI squad against Afghanistan and T20I side against Ireland. The 21-year-old, identified as a high-potential talent, was part of the SA Emerging tour of Zimbabwe in August and most recently represented South Africa A in the one-day series against Sri Lanka A.

Proteas seamer Lungi Ngidi has recovered from his right calf injury and has been named in all three squads.

The Proteas will face Afghanistan in three ODIs from 18 – 22 September at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, before heading to Abu Dhabi for two T20Is on 27 and 29 September and three ODIs from 02 – 07 October against Ireland. All five matches will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Commenting on the selection of the squads, Walter said: “We have decided to give opportunities to some of the fringe players as well as those who have impressed in recent weeks and months.

“This has been a deliberate move from management, in line with our goal of building a wider pool of players to choose from, as we prepare for the major ICC tournaments taking place over the next 18 months, with a long-term view on the 50-over World Cup in 2027.

“There is no doubt that tours such as these offers us this unique opportunity to provide players with international exposure in differing conditions compared to what they are used to.

“I am particularly looking forward to seeing how some of the more experienced players step up, whilst keeping a close eye on who can grab this opportunity and become more regular within the national set-up.”

South Africa ODI squad against Afghanistan
Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports betting Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors), Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).

South Africa T20I squad against Ireland
Aiden Markram (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Patrick Kruger (Dafabet Warriors), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors) and Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).

South Africa ODI squad against Ireland
Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports betting Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors), Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions), Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).

The squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan will depart for the UAE on Saturday, 14 September.

Fixtures (all times local)

ODI series against Afghanistan

Wednesday, 18 September at 16:00
Afghanistan vs South Africa – Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Friday, 20 September at 16:00
Afghanistan vs South Africa – Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Sunday, 22 September at 16:00
Afghanistan vs South Africa – Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

White-ball Tour against Ireland

T20I Series

Friday, 27 September at 19:30
Ireland vs South Africa – Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Sunday, 29 September at 19:30
Ireland vs South Africa – Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE

ODI Series

Wednesday, 02 October at 15:30
Ireland vs South Africa – Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Friday, 04 October at 15:30
Ireland vs South Africa – Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Monday, 07 October at 15:30
Ireland vs South Africa – Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Source: cricket.co.za

Mark Boucher: One of the finest wicket-keeper batsmen of all time, South African cricketer Mark Boucher has also supported Graeme Smith as South Africa’s vice-captain. In 2012, while playing a practice game in England, he was hit in the eye by a ball and was operated upon. He quit cricket the next day.