Proteas to test depth in ODIs against West Indies as new era starts

Between injuries, illness, comings and goings in the squad and the need to adapt to the style of a new head coach, it’s been a topsy-turvy build-up for Temba Bavuma’s Proteas to the first ODI against the West Indies on Thursday. 

Because the series is not part of the ICC Super League and thus holds no bearing on World Cup qualification, some of the edge is off it, allowing SA to select some new players and experiment with combinations.

They have been forced to do so by a spate of injuries, which on Wednesday resulted in a call-up for Marco Jansen, who was due to be given an extra few days’ rest.

Already missing Wiaan Mulder with a side strain on Wednesday, all three seam bowling all-rounders have been dealt an ailment or, in Wayne Parnell’s case illness. At training Sisanda Magala split the webbing between his thumb and index finger on his right hand and Andile Phehlukwayo had a lower back spasm.

The Proteas are missing Keshav Maharaj, who will undergo surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon on Friday, an incident captain Bavuma said caused some emotional scenes during last weekend’s celebrations after the Test series win over the West Indies. 

The Proteas were already committed to experimenting with personnel in this series having rested Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortjé, but the injuries are likely to have accelerated that strategy. 

There will be many debutants throughout the series according to Bavuma. That much is clear from the squad, with Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Tony de Zorzi and Gerald Coetzee all yet to play an ODI.

Four other members of the squad have played fewer than 10 ODIs, indicating how the Proteas wish to create depth as they build towards not just this year’s World Cup, but the one in four years to be hosted in SA.

“The priority will always be to win the series but there will be an effort to widen the pool and give guys opportunities. We’d like to see where they will fit in with our plans moving forward,” the SA captain said. 

This week has been new white ball coach Rob Walter’s first opportunity to oversee training in the flesh. His presence during the England series in January had been limited to a computer screen, though since arriving in SA he has made an effort to mix with the players during the Test series. 

Bavuma described it as a fresh start for the one-day team.

“We want to use the series with the West Indies to refine the way we are playing and to keep growing from that point of view,” he said. 

The series provides an excellent opportunity to build rhythm before the two ODIs against the Netherlands later this month, in which points for World Cup qualification will be up for grabs.

Proteas squad for first and second ODIs against West Indies: Temba Bavuma (capt), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Sisanda Magala, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams, Rassie van der Dussen