South Africa's Probable Squad for Cricket World Cup 2015

A cricket fan that has been following cricket for last decade or so cannot identify a World Cup or for that matter any ICC tournament for which South Africa were not termed one of the favorites. Even as we build up for the 2015 World Cup SA’s chances look prominent. Yet they are that one team which also owns the title of ‘Chocker’s’. Yes a Proteas fan hates hearing the word but, the fact remains that playing league games at their best they have always failed to perform when it matters the most. Here’s a look at the guys who will probably make their way into the team for 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Probable Team:

Openers:

Expected: Quinton De Kock, Hashim Amla

Reserves: Alviro Peterson, Colin Ingram

It won’t be wrong for me to say this is the most stable opening partnership for the Proteas over the last few years. Hashim Amla, is one of the finds of the decade for South African cricket, though started off a bit late he has compensated for it all with utmost consistent performance in all the formats of the game. Amla average’s in access of 50 in ODI’s also has a decent strike rate. His consistency in batting, describes his capabilities to take away a game from the opponents. And his partner De Kock..!! He is really an exciting player to watch out for in the South African batting line up. His strength is his ability to convert starts into mammoth tons. He can attack the bowler through traditional batting styles, which tells us about how clean a batsman he is.(also read fastest to 15 ODI tons)

Middle Order:

Expected: Faf Du Plessis, AB De villiers, David Miller

Reserves: Dean Elgar, Rilee Rossouw, Farhan Behardien

Starting with Faf, we need to mention that South African batting line up became more stable since he started batting at no. 3. He is another Mr. Consistent in that side. Du Plessis has the capability of building the innings and at the same time, can score with a good run rate. The most experienced and explosive batsman in that line up is ABD. He is the right person from whom youngsters can learn the art of transformation in different formats of the game. To strengthen the lower middle order of this line up, there is David Miller. Miller has been out of form in recent days’ but as the old saying suggests “form is temporary, class is permanent” all the South African fans will be hoping he comes back with a boom before the World Cup.

Wicket Keeper:

Expected: Quinton De Kock

Quinton De Kock has been the wicket keeper of South Africa from the last year, year and a half. De Kock had huge shoes of Mark Boucher who is the current world record holding wicket keeper with most number of dismissals (999 dismissals). He has managed to do considerably well, being an able partner with Amla at the top and a safe option behind the wickets.

All-Rounders: 

Expected: JP Duminy, Ryan McLaren

Reserves: Vernon Philander, Albie Morkel

In the list of the all-rounders, JP Duminy is South Africa’s best bet. Batting at no. 6 for the national side, he is surely one of the better all-rounders in world cricket with not only his batting and bowling but also his fielding. Duminy has the capability to score runs at really quick pace; he will surely lead their charge in the final overs. Other options that the team management has are Ryan McLaren, Wayne Parnell, Vernon Philander and Albie Morkel. None of them is really up to grab the all-rounder’s spot in the team and Duminy has the edge with current scenario at least.9 (also read England’s Probable Squad for WC 2015)

Spinners

Expected: Imran Tahir

Reserve: Robin Peterson

It is hard to forget Imran Tahir’s performance in the T20 World Cup 2014, where he was in a league of his own. Hailing and playing for a team not famous for spinners Tahir has impressed one and all with his gritty leg-spin. His strength is his accuracy and the control he enjoys on the ball. Tahir is not a big turner of the ball, but he knows his strengths and weaknesses and bowls within the line of attack. He has variations up his sleeve which makes him even lethal, those orthodox balls, off-cutter, faster one and the googly can prove to be good enough for any batsman.

Pacers:

Expected: Dale Steyn, Morne Morke, Vernon Philander, Wayne Parnell

Reserves: Marchant De Lange, Beuran Hendricks

Dale Steyn, the “STEYN GUN” is undoubtedly the best fast bowler playing cricket at the moment. Though he has stiff competition with Mitchel Jhonson of Australia but, his recent performance on dead Sri Lankan wickets helps Steyn’s reputation even further. Steyn for sure will be a key player if South Africa are to make a mark in the world cup 2015 they rely heavily on him.Dale swings the ball in the air and off the wicket in multiple ways, has extreme control over his line and length. Can bowl in the initial power-play, the batting power-play and at the death as well and dealing with him is never ever easy.

Morne Morkel, hasn’t been in his pinnacle of cricketing form in recent days but his experience surely bags him a place in the playing XI.

Vernon Philander is as able a swing bowler as anybody in cricket today and has been a real sensation for South Africa. He will have the responsibility to complement Steyn with the new, old ball, to exert additional pressure on the batsmen. He is also handy with the bat lower down the order for a few big blows out of the park. The forth pacer in the pack should probably be Wayne Parnell, who has the right pace, experience and variation to be effective at any stage of the game. (Also Read India’s Probable for WC 2015)

South Africa have a good blend of experience and young legs and like every World Cup the end statement will be open and it will be up to this team led by AB de Villiers to write the conclusion on their own.

Note: This is not an officially announced or guaranteed squad for the world cup but a probability based on the author’s own views and opinions.