A full-strength 15-man squad has been named by Cricket South Africa for the crucial two-match one-day international (ODI) series against Netherlands later this week.

Seamers Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada return to the 50-over setup after being rested for the recent ODI series against West Indies.

The matches, which form part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League, will be contested at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Friday and at the Wanderers on Sunday.

The Proteas must win both matches to give themselves a chance of qualifying automatically for the World Cup in India later this year.

“We have named our strongest possible squad for these games given the importance of these matches in the context of qualifying for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup,” said Proteas limited overs coach Rob Walter.

“We have a job to do and I am confident that with this group of players we can get the job done.”

The national federation’s director of cricket, Enoch Nkwe, added: “Cricket South Africa would like to wish Rob and his team well for the series against Netherlands. The second match of the series will be a special occasion as it marks the annual Pink Day. This is an important day in the CSA calendar as it allows us to raise awareness and funds for an important cause (breast cancer). It’s a game that everyone is looking forward to.”

Proteas squad

Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen

Though they left the field midway through the match with a mammoth task ahead of them, top-order batter Reeza Hendricks said the Proteas never gave up the belief that they could chase down a record target in the second T20 International against West Indies in Centurion on Sunday.

After the tourists racked up 258 runs, the hosts were under major pressure to level the three-match series, but Quinton de Kock and Hendricks got them off to a spectacular start as they laid the foundation for an impressive six-wicket victory, with the South Africans reaching the required total with seven balls to spare.

It was the highest successful run chase in a T20 International, drawing comparisons with the thrilling ODI between SA and Australia at the Wanderers in 2006 when the Proteas made 438 runs to earn a record win.

After the West Indies innings, Hendricks said fast bowler Kagiso Rabada claimed the visitors were 10 runs short of what they needed on a flat wicket, and the rest of the national team were equally confident of their chances.

“Everyone in the change room was quietly confident that this was a good wicket, so we never doubted ourselves at any stage,” Hendricks said.

“We believed it was a good wicket and we had the batters in the team to go out there and chase the score down, which we obviously did, so it was good to come out on the right side of it.”

‘Special’ innings

While Hendricks made a valuable contribution, compiling 68 off 28 deliveries at a strike rate of 242.85, it was De Kock who carried the home team to victory. He raced to his half-century off 15 deliveries – the fifth quickest T20I fifty and the fastest by a South African – and he went on to make his maiden century, hammering 100 runs off 44 balls (achieved at a strike rate of 227.27).

Hendricks said it was “really special” to be at the other end with De Kock displaying such spectacular form.

ALSO READ: ‘A fine balance’, but Proteas are finding their feet with new brand

“That’s the Quinny I know. Obviously in cricket it doesn’t come off all the time, and today fortunately for him it came off when the team needed it the most,” Hendricks said.

“That’s how he plays, and again, the wicket was really good which allowed for his stroke play. It was a special innings to witness, especially from the other end.”

The series decider between South Africa and West Indies will be played at the Wanderers tonight, starting at 6pm.

South Africa pulled off a stunning victory on Sunday, spearheaded by opening batter Quinton de Kock, as they secured a spectacular six-wicket win over West Indies in a record shattering T20 International in Centurion.

Chasing an intimidating target of 259 runs to win, the Proteas got off to a thunderous start, with De Kock and Reeza Hendricks combining in a massive 158-run stand for the first wicket.

De Kock raced to his half-century off 15 deliveries, racking up the fifth quickest T20I fifty and the fastest by a South African. He reached the milestone two balls quicker than he did against England in Durban three years ago, bettering his own national mark.

Raymon Reifer managed to stop the carnage in the 11th over when he had De Kock caught behind for 100 runs off 44 balls. His maiden T20I century, achieved at a strike rate of 227.27, included nine fours and eight sixes.

Hendricks went on to make 68 off 28 deliveries at a strike rate of 242.85, smashing 11 fours and two sixes, but he too was eventually caught behind off a Rovman Powell delivery.

Proteas captain Aiden Markram then carried them home with seven balls to spare, contributing 38 not out.

It was the highest successful run chase in an international T20 game.

Earlier, after losing the toss and being sent in to bat, the tourists were given an early shake when opener Brandon King was removed by seamer Wayne Parnell with the third ball of the innings, but their top order then took control.

Johnson Charles and Kyle Mayers shared 135 runs for the second wicket before Marco Jansen had Mayers caught by Reeza Hendricks for 51 runs midway through the innings.

Once he was dismissed, however, Charles was completely rampant, racing to his first T20I century off just 39 balls. It was the fourth fastest ton by any player at international level in the short format and the quickest ever by a West Indies batter, breaking the national record held by Chris Gayle who needed 47 deliveries to reach the milestone against England in Mumbai at the 2016 T20 World Cup.

Charles was eventually bowled by all-rounder Jansen in the 14th over after making 118 runs off just 46 deliveries at a strike rate of 256.52. His remarkable innings featured 10 fours and 11 sixes.

West Indies captain Powell, who made 28 runs, then combined in a 57-run stand for the fifth wicket with Romario Shepherd, who was unbeaten on 41, as the visitors reached 258/5.

Jansen was the best of the SA bowlers, returning 3/52 from his allotted four overs.

With the victory, South Africa levelled the three-match series at 1-1.

The final game will be played at the Wanderers tomorrow, starting at 6pm

South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl against West Indies in the second T20 International in Centurion on Sunday.

The hosts made two changes to the team that lost the opening match at the same venue the day before, with all-rounder Marco Jansen and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada replacing paceman Anrich Nortje and spinner Bjorn Fortuin.

The tourists also made two changes, with Jason Holder and Raymon Reifer replacing Roston Chase and Alzarri Joseph.

The Proteas must win the match to keep their hopes of a series victory alive.

South Africa

Quinton De Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram (captain), David Miller, Heinrich Klaassen, Marco Jansen, Wayne Parnell, Sisanda Magala, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi

West Indies

Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell (captain), Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Jason Holder, Sheldon Cottrell, Akeal Hosein

Sisanda Magala admitted the Proteas weren’t in as much control as they would normally be in a T20 International, after being edged by West Indies on Saturday in a match that was reduced to 11 overs a side due to the weather.

Having been sent in to bat, the hosts racked up 131 runs, but the tourists chased down their target with three balls to spare to win by three wickets in Centurion.

READ MORE: Proteas edged by Windies in weather-hit T20 clash

“It was a bit chaotic. In 11 overs anything can happen, but we assessed the situation in terms of how the pitch was playing and how they bowled,” Magala said.

“They used their short balls pretty well and the ball was very uneven, so decisions were kind of made on the fly, but we just went with it and backed it.”

All-round performance

Magala contributed 18 runs before leading the Proteas attack by returning 3/21 to play a key role for the home side.

While it was not enough to carry them across the line, the seam bowler was pleased to have shone with the bat, as well as the ball.

“It’s nice to return the favour. As a bowler you always get hit, so you always try your best to hit a couple of balls too,” he said.

The second of three matches in the T20 series between South Africa and West Indies will be played at SuperSport Park on Sunday, starting at 2pm.

The West Indies combined well to chase down their target on Saturday, racing to victory in the first T20 International against South Africa in Centurion.

In a match that was reduced to 11 overs a side, after rain delayed the start by two hours, the tourists needed 132 runs to win.

They managed to put together some solid partnerships to build a foundation, and captain Rovman Powell carried them home by smashing 43 runs off just 18 balls, as they reached a total of 132/7 with three balls to spare.

Sisanda Magala was the best of the Proteas bowlers, returning 3/21 from his two overs.Earlier, the Proteas got an early fright after being sent in to bat when opening batter Quinton de Kock was removed with the first ball of the home side’s innings.

Miller on fire

Their top order managed to recover, however, with some solid contributions before David Miller carried them through with a quickfire effort.

Miller found form by hammering 48 runs off 22 deliveries (including three sixes) at a strike rate of 218.8 as he led the hosts to a total of 131/8, though it would not be enough in the end.

Sheldon Cottrell (2/31) and Odean Smith (2/27) led the West Indies bowling attack by taking two wickets each.

The second of three T20 Internationals will also be played in Centurion, starting at 2pm on Sunday.

The West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl in the first T20 International against South Africa at SuperSport Park on Saturday.

The match was delayed by two hours due to rain, and while it was eventually confirmed play would get underway, the game was reduced to 11 overs a side.

South Africa

Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram (captain), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Sisanda Magala, Bjorn Fortuin, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

West Indies

Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Johnson Charles (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell (c), Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Sheldon Cottrell, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph

New Proteas ODI and T20 coach Rob Walter dared to dream and is now living it on the international stage.

Johannesburg-born Walter, who was first brought into the Proteas set-up as a strength and conditioning coach in 2009, has truly gone full circle 14 years later, as he takes up the reins of the senior South African white ball sides.

Since arriving from New Zealand earlier this month and linking up with the team for the first time during the West Indies Test series, Walter has been settling in and preparing for the ODI and T20 series against the same opponents.

‘It’s all very exciting’

“I have been settling in well. It’s been really good connecting with the players. We linked up during the Test series but it has been good to get to know them more deeply over the last few days in particular.

“It is good to get to know some of the guys that I didn’t already know. There is a great feel in the group. These guys are high quality cricketers, so it’s all very exciting.”

After being part of the Proteas set-up for a number of years, Walter finally got his big break when he was named as head coach of the Titans in 2013, with him leading them to four domestic titles during his three years with them.

He then moved on to New Zealand where he coached the Otago Volts from 2016 to 2021, followed by Central Districts who he left to take the Proteas position.

He also enjoyed two stints as an assistant coach in the IPL, while his biggest coaching achievement was arguably being appointed the New Zealand A coach last year.

“It’s tough leaving the family behind but it’s exciting to come into something new. Getting back into the Proteas environment is always special,” admitted Walter.

“Every coaching experience shapes the coach you are. I have been fortunate enough to have quite a few varied experiences. Moving to New Zealand and coaching two domestic sides, in the IPL, and then coaching the New Zealand A side.

“It has all very much been part of the growth and development of me personally as a coach. My stint (coaching) in New Zealand was integral in me ending up here (at the Proteas). The Titans job in reflection was quite easy. We were successful early and that often works in your favour.

“But New Zealand was probably the opposite. So while the results weren’t on the sheet, personally I was growing quickly which was great.”

ALSO READ: New Proteas coach Rob Walter excited about the future

Early Proteas days

Having been part of the Proteas set-up before has certainly helped Walter ease back in, but things are completely different to what they were back then when he was still on the strength and conditioning side.

“I suppose it connects you to the Proteas in some way and you never lose that connection. The fortunate part of my earlier days with the Proteas on the strength and conditioning side were the coaches I interacted with along the way,” explained Walter.

“In Mickey (Arthur), Corrie (van Zyl) and Gary (Kirsten), they always allowed me to step into the cricket space, whether it was with the fielding or assisting in the nets and connecting with players.

“That gave me a real grounding in the Proteas family. So coming back there are a few faces that are the same, but not too many. But the foundations have remained the same.”

It was his first appointment as a head coach at the Titans that made Walter realise that he could one day work his way up to taking over the national team.

“I have always been passionate about coaching and cricket. So I guess getting the opportunity to coach the Titans as a head coach, since I had done some assistant coaching before that, made me start to believe,” said Walter.

“I suppose you dare to dream that you can one day be leading your country as the head coach. So that’s probably where the first thoughts started. You always harbour them and they sort of sit in the background and fortunately my journey did bring me back.”

With the Proteas taking on the West Indies in ODI and T20 series, Walter has a perfect platform to kick off what is hopefully a long and fruitful relationship with the Proteas.

“With the West Indies series being a bilateral one it has presented an opportunity for us to explore some new and younger faces and options,” said Walter.

“The goal really is to develop a core group of 20 players who have got international experience. Not just for the upcoming World Cup but also looking ahead to 2027.

“The process and journey for that has to start somewhere and these series’ have presented a perfect place for us to begin.”

They might not be the dominant force in global cricket they once were, but Proteas captain Aiden Markram says his team are not underestimating how dangerous the West Indies can be in T20 cricket as they gear up for a three-match series starting against the tourists in Centurion on Saturday (12pm start).

After beating West Indies 2-0 in their recent Test series, and drawing 1-1 in the ODI series without some key Proteas stars, the hosts will be confident of winning the T20 series following the return of a handful of experienced players.

But West Indies are two-time T20 world champions and the hosts won’t have it all their own way over the next few days.

ALSO READ: Not just a knockaraound, says Walter, as Proteas gear up for T20 series

“I think it’s going to be an exciting series. They have a fantastic white-ball team, especially in the T20 arena where we’ve seen them win World Cups, and they have a big amount of X-factor in their squad,” Markram said yesterday.

“So we’re looking forward to it and it’s a great team for us to be able to test ourselves against and see where we are at the moment as a T20 side.

“We’re going to have to be sharp against them, there’s no doubt about that.”

‘More depth to it’

Though he previously captained the national U-19 side, Markram admitted there was more pressure to lead a senior team, as he prepared to take charge of the T20 squad for the first time since taking over from former skipper Temba Bavuma earlier this month.

“It is definitely different to U-19 level. I think there’s a lot more depth to it here than U-19 cricket when everyone just wanted to play and you just had to ensure the team was getting along and the guys understood their roles. That’s pretty much as simple as it was,” Markram said.

“I suppose there are bits and pieces you can take from that, but I think a few years of being in this environment has helped. We’ve had some great leaders around us since I started (playing for the national senior side) and I’ve been able to sponge information off them and see how they operate, so that has shaped the way I’m starting to think.”

India and defending champions England are definitely in but former winners West Indies as well as South Africa and Sri Lanka could face a long, arduous road to reach the 2023 World Cup.

AFP Sport looks at who needs what to make the global showpiece being staged in India in October and November.

Who has qualified?

Seven teams have so far booked their places at the 10-team tournament. These are India (hosts) as well as England, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have come through the Super League after each winning 11 or more of their games. 

That leaves one place, currently occupied by West Indies, remaining from the Super League with the last two places to be filled by the best two sides at a 10-team qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe in June and July. 

Sri Lanka, South Africa and Ireland still have a chance to snatch that eighth qualifying spot but Zimbabwe and Netherlands are out of the running.

South Africa sweat

Of the big sides still sweating, South Africa are breathing easiest. The Proteas are currently ninth in the table but have two games left to play against bottom side Netherlands.

Winning both of those matches would put South Africa eighth and into the World Cup — so long as Sri Lanka do not win 3-0 in New Zealand. 

One victory would put South Africa level on points with the West Indies, who currently have a better net run rate. 

However, they would still need Sri Lanka to win no more than one game against the Kiwis and for the Irish to win only two of their three games against Bangladesh, while maintaining a worse net run rate.

Position: 9th

Points: 78 (NRR −0.410)

Matches to play: 2

Maximum points: 98

Wither West Indies?

West Indies, world champions in 1975 and 1979, are currently eighth in the Super League and hold the final qualifying spot. However, they have played all of their 24 games and won just nine, leaving them with 88 points.

They have no further games to play and can be ousted by South Africa, Sri Lanka or Ireland. 

To qualify via this route West Indies effectively need Sri Lanka to lose their series with New Zealand, which starts Saturday, Netherlands to upset South Africa next week and Bangladesh to avoid a whitewash against Ireland in May.

Position: 8th

Points: 88 (Net run rate: −0.738)

Matches to play: 0

Maximum points: 88

Sri Lanka in control

Sri Lanka, the 1996 winners, are in the enviable position of having qualification in their own hands. 

A 3-0 win in New Zealand will give them eighth spot regardless of how anyone else gets on. 

Position: 10th

Points: 77 (NRR −0.094)

Matches to play: 3

Maximum points: 107

Ireland outsiders

Ireland need everything to go their way, notably winning their three-match series against Bangladesh which will be played at Chelmsford, England in May, the final matches in the Super League. 

Even that might not be enough to go through. They need South Africa to slip up against the Dutch and the Sri Lankans to lose at least one match in New Zealand.  

Position: 11th

Points: 68 (NRR −0.382)

Matches to play: 3

Maximum points: 98

Final qualifier

For the teams who miss out, there is a final chance to make it to India as one of the two best from a 10-team qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe. The hosts and Netherlands are already in the mix for this.

The five who come down from the Super League will be joined by Scotland, Oman and Nepal who were the top three teams in World Cup League 2 plus two others still to be decided. 

These final two will be settled in Namibia next week in a League 2 repechage when the hosts will be joined in a play-off competition by Papua New Guinea, UAE, USA, Jersey and Canada.

With no T20 World Cup scheduled this year, Proteas limited overs coach Rob Walter says the SA squad will use the 20-over series against West Indies starting this weekend to help them prepare for the 50-over World Cup to be played in India in October.

While the national selectors handed caps to a handful of debutants during the recently concluded ODI series against the Windies, which ended in a 1-1 draw, Walter confirmed they would have a more experienced team on the park in the T20 series, ahead of crucial ODI matches against the Netherlands later this month which they must win to secure automatic World Cup qualification.

ALSO READ: Proteas boosted by in-form players, return of quicks for T20 series

“We obviously took the opportunity in the first two 50-over games against West Indies to give younger guys a chance for international experience both in terms of this year and our four-year cycle,” Walter said yesterday.

“But for me this T20 series also provides an opportunity to get guys like Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw back in the mix and get them ready for the Netherlands games.”

T20 focus

While the World Cup remained their focus this year, however, Walter felt it was crucial not to undermine the 20-over game and they hoped to use the three-match T20 series against West Indies to further develop their abilities in the shorter format.

“It’s always more serious than just having some fun. I think it’s about figuing out what the blueprint is in the T20 format of the game,” he said.

“Obviously you have less time, so you have to take more risks to get to where you want to be… but we’re always trying to learn and fine-tune what the end point will look like.

“These games provide opportunities for our players to assess the conditions in front of them and understand the best version of their own games… and it’s about trying to create context for the guys to execute their skills. It’s all about the bigger picture.”

The first of three T20 matches between South Africa and West Indies will be played in Centurion on Saturday.

Having fought back brilliantly to level the three-match ODI series against the West Indies in Potchefstroom on Tuesday, the Proteas will head into the T20 series with plenty of confidence and self-belief.

The first match between the Proteas and visitors from the Caribbean is on Saturday, with the second match on Sunday. Both are scheduled for SuperSport Park. The third match is next Tuesday at the Wanderers.

The Proteas will be led for the first time in the T20 format by new captain Aiden Markram, who took charge of the side in the final ODI on Tuesday when Temba Bavuma was rested because of a hamstring niggle.

Markram’s team beat the Windies by four wickets after chasing down a target of 261 with more than 20 overs remaining.

The West Indies won the second game after the first match was rained out, leaving the series drawn at 1-1.

Heinrich Klaasen, who scored 119 off 61 balls in Potchefstroom, won’t be the only Proteas player going into the T20 series in good form.

Markram recently hit a century and 96 in the Test series against the Windies, while Marco Jansen, who’s due to come in down the batting order, has also shown good form with the bat.

Also, Rilee Rossouw, who didn’t feature in the ODI series, has been producing the T20 goods in the Pakistan Super League.

Rossouw, who plays for the Multan Sultans, finished third highest run-scorer with 453 runs in 11 innings, with a highest score of 121 and average 45.30. His strike rate of 171.59 was one of the best of the competition.

Bjorn Fortuin and Sisanda Magala, following their good showing in the SA20, will be keen to make their mark, though Magala recently split the webbing on his right hand and is in a race against time to be fit to play in the series.

Also, Reeza Hendricks, who was in the squad but didn’t feature in the ODIs, has a right ring finger injury.
The good news is the Proteas welcome back Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, who didn’t feature in the ODI series.

It is also understood that Bavuma has been added to the T20 squad following his recent good form in the Test and ODI arenas. This is yet to be confirmed by team management.

Proteas T20 squad

Aiden Markram (capt), 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

T20 series fixtures

Saturday, 25 March at 2pm: SuperSport Park, Centurion
Sunday, 26 March at 2pm: SuperSport Park, Centurion
Tuesday, 28 March at 6pm: Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

While they relied largely on one player to come off in a big way, the Proteas cricket team believe the result of the third and final ODI against West Indies on Tuesday showed how successful they can be when they take an aggressive approach.

With South Africa’s bowling attack having restricted the tourists to a competitive total of 260 runs in Potchefstroom, the hosts looked to be in some trouble in the early stages of their chase after losing a few early wickets.

But Heinrich Klaasen took control, racing to an impressive century as he scored 119 runs to carry them to a comfortable four-wicket victory with more than 20 overs to spare.

READ MORE: Heinrich Klaasen carries Proteas to victory over Windies

“It’s a fine balance. Sometimes it will look great and sometimes it won’t look great, but we want to play a certain brand of cricket, and in difficult situations you still want to encourage players to play that brand,” Klaasen said after the game.

“If it comes off, that’s brilliant, and if it doesn’t we can move on from there and learn from it. There will be days that it’s not going to go our way, but as long as we give ourselves the right options, stick to our game plan and play our brand of cricket, we don’t have issues in our squad.”

‘A learning process’

Though he did not play in the final match of the ODI series due to a hamstring niggle, regular captain Temba Bavuma was equally delighted to see the SA team’s risky approach resulting in success as they ended the three-match campaign with a 1-1 draw.

“I think we’ve taken another few steps towards what ‘perfect’ would look like for us,” Bavuma said.

“It’s still a learning process we have to go through, and we’re going to have to come up against different opposition in different conditions which we’ll have to adapt to, but I think what we’ve shown in the last few games is that we’ve come a long way in refining and building our confidence around our brand.

“I think for me today, watching from the side, it was a big watershed moment for us as a team. We’ve been speaking and speaking about how we want to play, and there have been moments before today, but when a guy (Klaasen) goes and plays like that it really builds the belief and confidence in the team.

“I hope it also builds the trust of people who are watching us as a team.”

In-form Proteas batter Heinrich Klaasen carried the national team to victory with a spectacular performance on Tuesday, racking up a superbly played career-best century in the third and final one-day international (ODI) against West Indies in Potchefstroom.

Chasing 261 runs to win, the hosts reached 264/6 with more than 20 overs to spare as they secured a crucial win to ensure their three-match series ended in a 1-1 draw after the first fixture had been rained out and the Windies had won the second game.

After losing four wickets for 87 runs within the first 13 overs of their innings, with the top order failing to fire, the Proteas batting line-up looked to be under real pressure.

Klaasen and Jansen

Klaasen then stepped up, however, and turned the match on its head with a valiant effort that took the game away from the tourists.

The experienced 31-year-old player reached his sixth career ODI half-century off 30 balls and maintained his intensity as he raced to his second international century off just 54 deliveries.

All-rounder Marco Jansen should also be credited for settling in at the crease and taking some pressure off Klaasen, making a valuable 43-run contribution to keep the middle order intact and prevent the Windies attack from getting stuck into the lower order.

Klaasen finished unbeaten on 119 off 61 balls, smashing 15 fours and five sixes in an innings that was put together at a strike rate of 195.08.

Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph (3/50) and spinner Akeal Hosein (2/49) were the best of the West Indies bowlers, with their attack struggling to contain a punishing performance led by Klaasen.

West Indies restricted

Earlier, opening batter Brandon King had kept the West Indies top order together, making 72 runs off as many balls after the visitors were sent in to bat by stand-in Proteas captain Aiden Markram.

King didn’t receive a great deal of support, however, and he eventually fell in the 22nd over when he was bowled by Proteas paceman Lungi Ngidi.

Nicholas Pooran (39) and Jason Holder (36) then carried the middle and lower orders before the Windies were bowled out for 260 in the 49th over.

Left-arm seamer Jansen (2/46), spinner Bjorn Fortuin (2/46) and paceman Gerald Coetzee (2/53) took two wickets each to lead the Proteas attack, ultimately restricting their opponents enough to lay the foundation for victory.

The Proteas will now face West Indies in a three-match T20 International series to be played in Gauteng, starting with the first game in Centurion on Saturday.

The second fixture is also set to be played in Centurion on Sunday, with the final match scheduled for the Wanderers next Tuesday.

Western Province batter Tony de Zorzi will lead the SA Invitational team in a 50-over match against the Netherlands next week Tuesday.

The match will serve as a warm-up game for the Netherlands team, who take on the Proteas in two One Day International fixtures on 31 March and 2 April.

The Proteas have to win both those ODIs to qualify directly for the Cricket World Cup in India later this year.

Rising stars

The Invitation side’s match against the visitors will be played at the Tuks Oval in Pretoria.

The team also includes North West Dragons all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy and Warriors wicket-keeper Sinethemba Qeshile.

SA20 stars and some of South Africa’s most exciting young talents in Matthew Breetzke, Wihan Lubbe, Jordan Hermann, Eathan Bosch and Evan Jones will also be in action for the Invitation side.

The last time the Proteas and the Netherlands met in a limited overs game, the Netherlands beat the South African side to knock them out of the T20 World Cup in Australia in November last year.

‘Exposure’

CSA Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for these players to show what they can do against an international team. The exposure on its own will be great for the group.”

High Performance Manager Vincent Barnes added: “We are also looking to grow our players base among all our national teams and this is a chance for the uncapped players in the squad to get a feel of what is like to play at the next level.

“The squad itself is a mix of experience and youth; players that have done well in domestic cricket over the past season. We look forward to seeing how they do against the Netherlands.”

The fixture is an unofficial List A match and will start at 10am.

SA Invitational XI squad against Netherlands

Tony de Zorzi (capt), Eathan Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Ottniel Baartman, Jordan Hermann, Evan Jones, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Wihan Lubbe, Senuran Muthusamy, Sinethemba Qeshile, Lesego Senokwane

South Africa will be chasing 261 to win the third and final one-day international (ODI) against West Indies in Potchefstroom on Tuesday, in their attempt to level the series.

Opening batter Brandon King kept the West Indies top order together, making 72 runs off as many balls after the tourists were sent in to bat.

ALSO READ: Markram opts to bowl after replacing injured Proteas captain Bavuma

King didn’t receive a great deal of support, however, and he eventually fell in the 22nd over when he was bowled by Proteas paceman Lungi Ngidi.

Nicholas Pooran (39) and Jason Holder (36) then carried the middle and lower orders before the Windies were bowled out for 260 in the 49th over.

Proteas attack

Left-arm seamer Marco Jansen (2/46), spinner Bjorn Fortuin (2/46) and paceman Gerald Coetzee (2/53) took two wickets each to lead the Proteas attack.

South Africa must win the game to draw the three-match series.

Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl first after replacing injured regular skipper Temba Bavuma as Proteas captain for the third and final ODI against West Indies in Potchefstroom on Tuesday.

Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Wayne Parnell were introduced to the team, and Bavuma (hamstring injury) was replaced along with Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs and Tabraiz Shamsi for the series decider.

ALSO READ: Miller eager to make an impact for Proteas against West Indies

West Indies announced an unchanged team from the side that earned a 48-run victory in the second match.

With the first game of the series having been washed out, the Proteas must win the final game (starting at 10am) to draw the series.

South Africa

Ryan Rickelton, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Wayne Parnell, Gerald Coetzee, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi

West Indies

Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Shamarh Brooks, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Odean Smith, Yannic Cariah, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph

Two current Proteas players were picked up in the inaugural Major League Cricket draft on Sunday.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock will play for the Seattle Orcas in the inaugural edition of America’s T20 franchise tournament, while the Washington Freedom have signed fast bowler Anrich Nortje.

Former Proteas spinner Dane Piedt will also represent the Freedom, with ex-Proteas bowling all-rounder Rusty Theron snapped up by Team Texas.

The six-team league will be played in a single round-robin format from 13 to 30 July with Grand Prairie, Texas, set to be the main venue for the tournament in the first year.

MLC squads after player drafts:

Los Angeles Knight Riders: Ali Khan, Unmukt Chand, Jaskaran Malhotra, Nitish Kumar, Corne Dry, Ali Sheikh, Saif Badar, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Bhaskar Yadram.

Seattle Orcas: Quinton de Kock, Mitchell Marsh, Harmeet Singh, Shehan Jayasuriya, Shubham Ranjani, Cameron Gannon, Aaron Jones, Nauman Anwar, Phani Simhadri, Angelo Perera, Matthew Tromp.

MI New York: Steven Taylor, Hammad Azam, Ehsan Adil, Nosthush Henjige, Monank Patel, Sarbjeet Ladda, Shayan Jahangir, Usman Rafiq, Saideep Ganesh.

Team Texas: Rusty Theron, Calvin Savage, Lahiru Milantaha, Milind Kumar, Sami Aslam, Cameron Stevenson, Cody Chetty, Zia Shahzad, Saiteja Mukamalla.

Washington Freedom: Anrich Nortje, Wanindu Hasaranga, Andries Gous, Mukhtar Ahmed, Obus Pienaar, Saurabh Netravalhar, Saad Ali, Dane Piedt, Sujith Gowda, Justin Dill, Akhilesh Bodugum.

San Francisco Unicorns: Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis, Corey Anderson, Liam Plunkett, Tajinder Singh, Chaitanya Bishnoi, Carmi le Roux, Brody Couch, David White, Smit Patel, Sanjay Krishnamurthi.

This story first appeared on sacricketmag.com. It is republished here with permission.

Experienced batter David Miller has revealed his Indian Premier League (IPL) team, the Gujarat Titans, have been angered by his unavailability for their opening match of this year’s popular T20 competition.

While the Titans are scheduled to face the Chennai Super Kings on 31 March, Miller will miss that game, with Cricket South Africa enforcing a new rule in national player contracts which will ensure he turns out for the SA team in two matches against the Netherlands.

‘A bit disappointed’

“They were really upset. I mean, it’s always a big thing playing in Ahmedabad in the opening game, so I’m a bit disappointed to be missing that,” Miller said after returning home this week from the Pakistan Super League, which caused him to miss the first two matches of the Proteas’ ongoing ODI series against the West Indies.

ALSO READ: Miller eager to make an impact for Proteas against Windies

“So I’m going to be missing one (IPL) game, but whether someone is disappointed or not, I suppose the process has taken place.”

‘A huge honour’

Though his IPL team were not pleased, however, Miller said he was eager to turn out for the national side in crucial matches against the Netherlands, which they must win to earn automatic qualification for the World Cup in India later this year.

“To put on the green and gold will always be a huge honour and privilege for me,” he said, “and we’ve got some work to do in those two games against Netherlands, so I think having the best squad we can pick is definitely the way forward.”