Zaahier Adams
The Proteas’ ICC Champions Trophy campaign begins today at Boland Park. The preliminaries are short and sharp, with three matches here against next year’s hosts, followed only by a Tri-Series in Pakistan before the tournament in February.
It hardly seems sufficient, but there’s no place to squeeze in anymore with an all-important two-match Test series, which will ensure qualification for the World Test Championship final, and Betway SA20 on the horizon.
📸 On the eve of the first ODI at Boland Park, South Africa's Temba Bavuma and Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan joined 25 local children for a trophy shoot celebrating inclusion in cricket. 🌍🏏
This inspiring moment showcased Cricket South Africa’s commitment to uniting people… pic.twitter.com/SylEDtSLTg
It allows little room for experimentation at this stage but coach Rob Walter will just have to find a way – even if it's without captain Temba Bavuma in Paarl today.
“I won't be involved in the game (today),” Bavuma confirmed yesterday, with Aiden Markram set to take over the leadership duties.
“That's more just from a load management point of view. I'm looking at the series that we just came from, looking at what's coming ahead and I'm sure decisions like that as well throughout the series, at least the one-day series, will be taken into consideration when it comes to other individuals as well.”
Bavuma stressed, though, that his absence does not not undervalue the three-match series in any way as Walter will certainly be using the upcoming matches as a dress rehearsal for the Champions Trophy.
“I think obviously now with Pakistan, it's probably the strongest side that we could put together, barring one or two injuries,” said Bavuma. “It's obviously with a strong view of the Champions Trophy that will be upcoming early next year.
“The main priority will always be the priorities to win the series. So, you know, whatever team that we put on paper, we'll be doing so with that confidence or at least looking to win the game.”
Bavuma was not able to hide from the fact that the quest for a first-ever place in the World Test Championship final next year at Lord’s will impact the selection of the final XI during this ODI series with possible rotation on the cards, especially among the fast bowlers.
“I think you would have seen in the T20 guys, the guys who were involved in the test, they weren't involved there. Guys got a couple of days to recharge their batteries and get ready for the next couple of weeks. It's an important couple of weeks from the ODIs and obviously from the Test side,” Bavuma said.
“So, that's definitely a conversation that we've had and we'll definitely be looking at in terms of making sure that players' energies are where they need them to be and obviously that will show itself from a selection point of view.
“We've got bowlers within the squad so we'd like to be in a position where we can give guys those opportunities, rest certain guys and give other guys opportunities.”
The Proteas are also still sweating on the fitness of David Miller, after the 35-year-old missed the back end of the recent T20I series. Miller was superb in the opening T20I where he clubbed a 40-ball 82, but is still suffering from a calf strain. Bavuma stated that a call on Miller’s fitness will only be made prior to the toss.
“David has been coming along nicely. He does have a final fitness test that he has to undergo. So, I guess if he comes out with confidence, he should be available,” he said.
Test regulars Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj all return to the ODI squad after missing the recent T20I series along with allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo.
Pakistan’s squad, meanwhile, have been bolstered with the return of pacer Naseem Shah, opening batter Abdullah Shafique and top-order batter Kamran Ghulam while wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan have received their maiden ODI call-ups.
FULL SQUADS FOR BOLAND PARK
Proteas: Temba Bavuma (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (capt/wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wk)