Left-arm seamer Marco Jansen is set to join the South Africa contingent to travel to Australia for the upcoming T20 World Cup. He replaces all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius, who is set to miss the tournament after fracturing his left thumb during the third T20I against India.
The 22-year-old Jansen has only played one Twenty20 International game for his national side – on the tour of India in June, where he picked a wicket and conceded 38 runs in four overs. Overall, he has played three ODIs and seven Tests for the Proteas. Jansen has played for Mumbai Indians (2021) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2022) in the Indian Premier League and has impressed particularly with his new ball bowling.
Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Wayne Parnell as other seam bowling options are also available in the 15-member squad. Meanwhile, Lizaad Williams has been added to the reserves.
The Proteas had two options to pick the Pretorius replacement, with Jansen and Andile Phehlukwayo in reserves. While Jansen doesn’t have a great record in the format, he is young and has huge potential. The left arm angle and the height (6 ft 9 in) goes in his favour, especially for the conditions down under.
South Africa begin their World Cup campaign against one of the qualifying teams from the first round on October 24. They are placed in Group 2 alongside India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, with two qualifying teams coming through the first round.
Updated South Africa squad for 2022 T20 World Cup
Temba Bavuma (capt), David Miller, Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs
Reserves
Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Lizaad Williams
