We take a look at a few SA20 stars who have made a big push to be part of the Proteas’ T20 World Cup squad.
The SA20 was once again a great platform for local players to make a name for themselves in the T20 arena.
Here we look at a handful of players who have made a big push to either be a part of the Proteas squad or to get a bigger role in the national mix.
When you think of T20 cricket, you don’t necessarily start with a lanky left-arm fast bowler but the key man for SA20 champions the Sunrisers was an already ascendant Proteas star in Marco Jansen.
Jansen showed that he is an impact king in the latter stages of the tournament and he is the kind of player that cannot be left out of the Proteas T20 World Cup group.
While his bowling remains the leading quality that will drive his selection, he can get things done with the bat in the first or second innings with big-hitting ability and surprising composure in tricky situations.
Jansen was the top wicket-taker in the entire tournament and many of his wickets came at crucial moments as well adding extra value to the 20 scalps he picked up.
He is someone who needs to be in the T20I mix as much as possible for South Africa as workload limits allow.
Marco Jansen pic.twitter.com/JAcVSuJ0kF
— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) February 7, 2024
When it comes to batting stars in the SA20 tournament, few stood out like Heinrich Klaasen and the Proteas need to ask how they can get the most out of his abilities.
Klaasen has been a lethal finisher for DSG but some feel he might be just as dangerous in the powerplay.
Also among the batters, the sheer weight of runs contributed by Ryan Rickleton should encourage selectors to finally give him a sustained run in the national team and open the batting as well.
He was the only batter to put up 500 and played fewer matches than all of the batters who got close to knocking him off his perch, he should open the batting in green and gold and should also have a new partner.
The incredible Ryan Rickleton continue to impress.
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) January 13, 2024
Looks so much like Deckock 😍#INDvsENG #BBL13 #Bhuvi #SA20 #DhruvJurel #Test #CricketTwitterpic.twitter.com/29WC74GHap
Rickelton and DSG youngster Matthew Breetzke were the most consistent top-order batters in the tournament and they should be paired together as the Proteas’ new T20 opening duo.
Breetzke adjusted to different situations well and always batted at a positive tempo even when under pressure.
Back to the bowlers and back to the Sunrisers, Ottniel Baartman was already knocking on the door for a regular place but the way he has grown through the SA20 suggests he has much more to offer on the international stage.
DSG’s run to the final might also be good for players who are unheralded in some regard in T20 cricket like Wian Mulder and Keshav Maharaj who both helped drag the team into the championship match.
1⃣8⃣ 𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬
— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) February 13, 2024
1⃣1⃣.7⃣7⃣ 𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞
Which Ottniel Baartman 𝒘𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆⁉️#Betway #SA20 #WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/gZxjh8nX1D
