Agency :
South Africa will send a weakened squad into their men’s ODI series in Sri Lanka next month, which could complicate their attempts to book a place in the 2023 World Cup. But they will be back to full strength for the T20I rubber on the Asian island – their last engagement before the World Cup in that format in the UAE and Oman in October and November.
Quinton de Kock has been rested for the ODIs, which David Miller will miss with a hamstring injury. Lungi Ngidi is also out because of what CSA described in a release on Thursday as “personal reasons”. Bjorn Fortuin has been omitted from the group that were in Ireland last month. De Kock, Miller, Ngidi and Fortuin will return for the T20Is in Sri Lanka.
Junior Dala is the only new face in the ODI squad. Sisanda Magala, who limped home from the ODI series in the Caribbean in June with an ankle injury, is also in the T20I mix. Dwaine Pretorius has been named in both squads after recovering from Covid-19, which prevented him from visiting West Indies and Ireland.
Despite the presence of all of their stars in the ODIs against the Irish, South Africa lost one of the three games. Another was washed out. That left Temba Bavuma’s team in 10th place in the World Cup Super League standings. The top seven sides in March 2023 will earn places at that year’s World Cup, along with hosts India. Another two teams will come through a qualifying tournament.
