The Proteas face a selection dilemma in their T20 World Cup Super Eights match against Zimbabwe, balancing the opportunity to rest key players with the risk of injury and the benefit of maintaining their winning momentum. Picture: MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP
Image: MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP
The Proteas will be victims of their own success when they take on Zimbabwe in their T20 World Cup Super Eights clash in Delhi on Sunday.
Like in the group stage, the Proteas have qualified for the following round with a game to spare.
However, nearing the business end of the tournament now - it’s not quite the same.
Having already secured their semi-final spot, the Proteas could experiment with their lineup with Anrich Nortje, Jason Smith, Kwena Maphaka and George Linde itching to get another game at this tournament.
South Africa also probably have the most settled team at the tournament, as their performances and results are testament to this.
That’s why Shukri Conrad will be in the difficult position of trying to decide whether to rest players or to keep the winning side together.
If he does opt to keep the same XI, there’s also the chance that any player could pick up an injury during the match and that would probably be the best argument for playing the fringe players.
For me, it would be between Nortje and Linde as to who will get a game. It would make the most sense to then rest Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj as there’s no way either of them would be rested for the semi-final.
On the batting side, though, I can’t see a scenario where one of the men with the willow would be rested. There’s no better preparation than time in the middle, and even though they have combined brilliantly during the tournament, one more game and the chance to pile on some more runs will be welcomed.
We’ll just have to wait and see who walks out in Delhi.
* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media.
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