South Africa’s new white-ball coach Rob Walter unveiled his first squad on Monday, naming Aden Markram as the new T20 captain but with no place for former skipper Faf du Plessis.
Although Walter had held talks with Du Plessis, no agreement could be reached for the ODI and Twenty20 International series against the West Indies this month.
Cricket South Africa director Enoch Naquay said this did not mean the door was closed for Du Plessis, 38, who has not played for South Africa since February 2021, or other non-contracted cricketers.
“We have always been open to dialogue with our freelance players, we are happy to join and find the best way forward,” Enquay said.
As widely speculated, Markram, who made his return to the Test side last week with a fine 115 in the win over the West Indies, was named as captain of the T20I squad.
But there was no place in the T20I squad for Test captain Temba Bavuma, although he would continue to lead the ODI team.
Nkwe said Walter’s brief was to ensure South Africa developed an ODI team capable of winning in 2027 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.
“The biggest one is 2027,” Enquay said. 2027.”
Walter said the ODI squad is the first step towards this year’s World Cup, providing opportunities for a number of youngsters, who will be joined by five more experienced players for the third and final match against the West Indies.
The West Indies ODI World Cup is not a part of the Super League.
Pacers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje were rested for the one-day matches but will return for the T20, which ends three days before the two World Cup Super League ODIs against the Netherlands.
A win against the Dutch would automatically qualify South Africa for this year’s World Cup.
Nkwe said talks had taken place with the Indian board and the Indian Premier League to ensure South Africa could field a full-strength squad for the matches in the Netherlands.
Former South African batsman JP Duminy was named as the full-time white-ball batting coach of South Africa.
On ODI Teams:
Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony De Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuyn, Reeza Hendricks, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Viaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams, Rasi van der Dussen.
He will be joined by Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Wayne Parnell for the third match.
On T20I squad:
Markram (c), de Kock (wk), Fortuin, Hendricks, Johnson, Klaasen, Magala, Miller, Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Riley Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, Stubbs.
Fixtures vs West Indies:
March 16, 1st ODI, East London
March 18, 2nd ODI, East London
March 21, 3rd ODI, Potchefstroom
March 25, 1st T20, Centurion
March 26, 2nd T20, Centurion
March 28, 3rd T20, Johannesburg
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)