SA name strong squad for must-win Netherlands ODIs
Winning both will keep alive hopes of automatic qualification for the World Cup in India
SA have named a full-strength squad for their two One-Day Internationals against the Netherlands with the side needing victory in both to keep alive hopes of automatic qualification for the Cricket World Cup in India later in 2023.
Fast bowlers Anrich Nortjé and Kagiso Rabada return for the matches at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Friday and the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday.
The hosts must win both to stay on course for the top eight in the World Super League or they could face the World Cup qualification tournament in Zimbabwe in June, from where the remaining two teams in the field will earn their spots in India.
“We have named our strongest possible squad for these games given the importance of these matches in the context of qualifying for the Cricket World Cup. We have a job to do and I am confident that with this group of players we can get the job done,” new white ball coach Rob Walter said.
SA lost to the Netherlands at the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in 2022 in a shock elimination.
Reuters
SA squad: Temba Bavuma (capt), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortjé, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen