ONE of the takeaways from the last T20 series between South Africa and the West Indies in the Caribbean earlier this year was how the Proteas bowlers struggled to take wickets, and had a tough time containing the powerful Windies batting unit.
The visitors conceded 175, 207 and 165 in the three-match series, and went on to lose all the games in Jamaica in May.
However, this time around, Proteas limited-overs coach Rob Walter believes he has assembled a potent bowling attack to be able to strike a balance between taking wickets at regular intervals and keeping the Windies’ scoring rate reasonable, starting with tonight’s opener at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago (9pm start, SA time).
While spinner Nqaba Peter and medium-pacer Andile Phehlukwayo miss out, seamers Lizaad Williams, Nandré Burger and Kwena Maphaka have been added to the squad.
Ottniel Baartman and Lungi Ngidi are some of the out-and-out seamers who have kept their spots in the squad, having also been involved in the series whitewash.
Walter believes that they have enough firepower in the bowling attack to stifle what is yet another strong Windies batting unit.
“If you look at the bowling unit itself – Ottneil, Lungi, Nandré, Lizaad, Kwena – those are just the out-and-out strikers. We’ve got the all-rounders in the background, as well as our spin options,” said Walter.
“So, we very much feel like all the bases are covered and there are wicket-taking options, guys that have proven themselves to be wicket takers.
“I don’t think the challenge will be any less, to be honest. They’ve put out a really strong squad, which is exactly how we want it to be. It will be a steep challenge, and the guys coming in will be looking to prove themselves, I’m sure.”
The name is Smith, Jason Smith😤🔥💪
Putting in the work in the nets ahead of our first T20i clash with West Indies tomorrow in Trinidad. 🏏🇿🇦#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt#SAvWI pic.twitter.com/aqHxmgYl8e
South Africa has nine T20 series between now and the next T20 World Cup in India in 2026, and coach Walter says they want to try win all of them as they build towards the next World Cup.
The 48-year-old mentor wants to see this group of players prove that they are capable of playing the positive brand of cricket that the Proteas have adopted since Walter took over as head coach of the limited-overs teams.
“First and foremost, we want to win the series. We’ve got nine of them, and we want to try and win all nine en route to the 2026 T20 World Cup,” he said.
“Nothing changes when we take the field, winning a game for South Africa is foremost, playing our best cricket, continuing to live our blueprint and embedding it even stronger. All of these are at play when you move into a series.”