Anrich Nortje was included in the Proteas’ 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup and has been recalled to the South African squad.
Nortje has featured in the Indian Premier League but has not played for South Africa, captained by Aiden Markram, in the last nine months.
He took seven wickets in six matches for Delhi Capitals and scored 13.36 runs per over, but was given a no-tche due to his pace.
South Africa coach Rob Walter said, “Anrich has one month left until the start of the World Cup, so I’m sure he’ll do his best.”
“It’s good that his speed is increasing. What sets Anrich apart from other players is his raw pace. Not many players can bowl 150km/h but he can do it. Pace is X It’s an element.”
Lungi Ngidi missed out on the trip despite being a reserve player.
Quinton de Kock is not at his best, but he qualified for the tournament thanks to his historic performance. He ended his contract with Cricket South Africa (CSA) and retired from ODIs last year.
“Queenie, we’ve seen him do it for us many times,” Walter said.
“Leeza [Hendricks] Ryan Rickelton has been a star performer for us in T20 cricket and was once again outstanding in this domestic CSA T20 Challenge. And Ryan Rickelton has really shined in the two great competitions that we’ve played in the brand of cricket that we’re trying to play.
“And we’re going to get Markram and that’s going to be at the top of the order. It’s primarily a performance-based decision and from Quinton’s perspective, we really know what he’s capable of. That’s it.”
Rickelton and Ottniel Baartman have been outstanding in SA20 this year and could earn their first T20I caps.
South Africa failed to advance beyond the Super 12 stage at the last World Cup in 2022.
Compared to the squad from that tournament, three big players are missing: Themba Bavuma, Riley Rossow and Wayne Parnell.
The Proteas will begin their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on June 3 after playing a preparatory series against the West Indies.
South Africa representative:
Aiden Markram (captain), Ottniel Baartmann, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuyn, Lisa Hendricks, Marco Janssen, Heinrich Claassen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs.
