South Africa has announced their ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming limited-overs series against West Indies. Aiden Markram, the 28-year-old who previously led the South Africa U19 team to victory at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2014, has been named as the T20I captain. He replaces Temba Bavuma, who stepped down from the role last month. Markram also recently led the SA 20 with Sunrisers Eastern Cape to a title win.
Enoch Nkwe, the Director of Cricket, congratulated Markram on his appointment, saying that he has all the qualities to succeed in the role and that they have no doubt he will help take South Africa to the next level. Nkwe also thanked Bavuma for his commendable job over the past two years and said that he now has a new role to fulfill within the national set-up.
The ODI squad has four new players, including Gerald Coetzee, Ryan Rickelton, Tony de Zorzi, and Tristan Stubbs, who is yet to play ODIs. Meanwhile, Bjorn Fortuin and Sisanda Magala were also named in the ODI squad. Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada have been rested. The squad for the first two ODIs has several notable names missing, but they will return for the third ODI.
Head coach Rob Walter expressed his confidence in the squad, saying that they are high on confidence after beating England in their most recent series. He also mentioned that he is excited to see how the new players, such as de Zorzi and Coetzee, perform in the ODI team. Walter is also excited to have Markram take over as T20I captain, as he leads from the front and works well with those around him. He believes that Markram will take the team to the next level in the years ahead.
Squad for first two ODIs: Temba Bavuma (captain), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams, Rassie van der Dussen.
Squad for third and final ODI: Temba Bavuma (captain), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams, Rassie van der Dussen.
Squad for three T20Is: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs.
West Indies tour of South Africa fixtures:
28 February to 4 March: 1st Test at SuperSport Park, Centurion
8-12 March: 2nd Test at the Wanderers, Johannesburg
16 March: 1st ODI at Buffalo Park, East London (day/night)
18 March: 2nd ODI at Buffalo Park, East London (day/night)
21 March: 3rd ODI at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
25 March: 1st T20Is at SuperSport Park, Centurion
26 March: 2nd T20I at SuperSport Park, Centurion
28 March: 3rd T20I at the Wanderers, Johannesburg
