South Africa announce 15-member squad for spin camp in Bangalore
Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Monday announced a 15-member squad for a spin-bowling camp in Bangalore from August 17 to 23. The board has included members of both the South Africa A and senior men’s team, ahead of their respective tours to India during the months of September and October.
In the aftermath of the World Cup debacle, South Africa have launched their bid for a revamp to their cricketing culture. Senior team members like Aiden Markram, Zubayr Hamza and Temba Bavuma have been picked to travel to India for the specialist camp. Off-spinner Dane Piedt, who was part of the India tour in 2015 is also on the list. The group of 15 will also feature young bowlers like Bjorn Fortuin, Tsepo Ndwandwa and Senuran Muthusamy.
CSA Chief Executive Thabang Moroe confirmed the news in a media release on August 12.Â
“We have identified Aiden Markram, Zubayr Hamza and Temba Bavuma as key Proteas batsmen to benefit from this project and we have also included some of our potential stars of the future such as Janneman Malan and Sinethemba Qeshile, who have already both played for the Proteas, as well as Matthew Breetzke. The batting group is completed by two of our most consistent runs scorers in franchise cricket in Pieter Malan and Edward Moore. The bowling group is headed by the experience of Dane Piedt and includes highly promising talents, among them being Bjorn Fortuin, Tsepo Ndwandwa and Senuran Muthusamy,” Moroe was quoted saying by CricketNext.
The CSA rightly observed that most of the cricket these days are played on subcontinent conditions, and it is only wise to be well prepared for any challenge.Â
“It is a fact that most international cricket is played on the sub-continent these days and we have to look ahead not only to the tours on the immediate horizon but the next edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India in 2023,” Moroe said.
CSA have also appointed former chinaman bowler Paul Adams as the spin bowling consultant while former batsman Ashwell Prince will be the batting consultant of this squad.
Meanwhile, youngster Rassie van der Dussen, perhaps South Africa’s only bright spot in the World Cup, has been rewarded with a national contract.
“Rassie’s promotion is thoroughly justified on the back of a brilliant debut season at international level and has also served as an inspiration to all aspiring cricketers at domestic level of what can be achieved by showing top-class form on a consistent basis,” Moroe added.
Rassie becomes the 17th player to be handed the national contract, after taking the place of Duanne Olivier’s move to play for England. Amidst the recent announcements of the retirements of star names in Protea cricket, Olivier is another major loss. He took 48 wickets in 10 Tests at an average of just 19.25, before the Kolpak move.