As the World Cup draws nearer, the Proteas squad for the limited-overs showpiece should be starting to take shape following series in New Zealand and Australia.
While stalwarts such as Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Morné Morkel are among those who have booked their tickets to return to Australasia early next year a number of spots in the side have still not been sewn up.
Wayne Parnell’s struggle for consistency could cost him a place, while Ryan McLaren is another who could be at risk following a poor showing during the 4-1 series defeat to Australia. The same could be said of Rilee Rossouw.
With the West Indies heading to our shores in December, Proteas coach Russell Domingo may be tempted to hand more responsibility to the fringe players in his squad before he makes his final decisions ahead of the World Cup.
Dolphins seamer Kyle Abbott showed his death bowling ability while Robin Peterson’s performances in the last two matches may have lifted the hopes of the 35-year-old of bidding farewell to international cricket Down Under early next year.
With Peterson proving his worth in the national set-up, there might be only one more place left for a spinner, which could mean a dice for one spot between leg-spinner Imran Tahir and injured Lions left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso.
Phangiso injured fingers on his bowling hand while on tour in Australia, although the 30-year-old has recovered and is eyeing a return to the game.
“I have had my four weeks of recovery since I got back home and this week I am looking to return to bowling,” Phangiso said.
“There are not many games left in the T20 Challenge so maybe I won’t get time out in the middle for the Lions, but I am working hard to be fit and hopefully get back into the Proteas,” said Phangiso.
Another player looking to return to the Proteas from injury is JP Duminy, whose persistent knee issues has seen him return home injured from two of the Proteas last three tours.
Duminy, though, should be available for the start of the West Indies tour to South Africa on December 17, which will also see the return of De Villiers and Steyn after they sat out the last match against Australia. - Cape Argus