South African cricket team have brought in the right arm speedster Lizaad Williams for England’s white ball T20I series. Lizaad Williams last played his T20I cricket match against Ireland on 29th September. Lizaad Williams’ addition in the squad gives South Africa variety to pick the bowling attack in the T20I series starting from 10th September.
South Africa’s journey in T20Is over the last couple of months has been quite topsy-turvy. The Proteas have shown immense promise in the shortest format but haven’t been able to clinch crunch moments of the match. We should not forget that South Africa were the finalists of ICC T20 WC 2024 and were unbeaten in the tournament till the finale against India.
Shukri Conrad reveals plan behind making Lizaad Williams return to international cricket
Shukri Conrad was having an interaction with the media. Shukri Conrad pointed out that Lizaad Williams’ return to the team is a strategic move and also commented on the flamboyant all-rounder Marco Jansen’s return to squad after injury phase. Shukri Conrad said that it was pre-decided to bring back Lizaad Williams in the team via T20I format.
“It’s great to have Marco back. He’s a fantastic all-format player who balances our side, he bowls up front and at the death, and hits the ball a long way. The plan was always to ease him and Lizaad back into international cricket through the shortest format,” said Shukri Conrad.
Lizaad Williams, the dark horse
Lizaad Williams has played 15 T20Is so far in his career. The right arm speedster has taken 20 wickets at a strike rate of 15.5 and economy of 9.5. Lizaad Williams’ inclusion means that South Africa now have a strong potent bowling attack in the form of Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen & Corbin Bosch. The 5 pace bowling attack gives Proteas the luxury and makes them a deadly unit.
It would be quite fascinating to see how skipper Aiden Markram & head coach Shukri Conrad manage the workload of fast bowlers. It’s quite important that the pace duo of Kagiso Rabada & Lungi Ngidi are fit given their 8 overs are quite match defining against England’s puissant batting line up.
ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs
T20I squad: Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams
Uncertainty over Anrich Nortje & Tabraiz Shamsi
It won’t be wrong to say that Cricket South Africa (CSA) are completely ignoring Anrich Nortje. Anrich Nortje had rejected central contract citing he wants to prioritize franchise cricket committments. The same can be said to Tabraiz Shamsi who infact has opted for a hybrid model of a contract and both the players aren’t a part of any squad which raises a lot of eyebrows.
Lizaad Williams along with Corbin Bosch will most likely fight for the 4th seamer. Marco Jansen is expected to take the new ball and the role of 3rd seamer against England. The T20I series is expected to be a riveting one, the last time South Africa played against England in England; it was way back in 2022 where South Africa won series by 2-1.
The Proteas would be aiming to take one step forward and win ICC T20 WC 2026 after heart-break in ICC T20 WC 2024 final. It can be said that the resurgence of Dewald Brevis has been the biggest positive for South Africa. Dewald Brevis is tipped to fill the shoes of Heinrich Klaasen who has bid adieu to International cricket.