The door is still open for Lonwabo Tsotsobe, the forgotten man of South African cricket to force his way into the Proteas final 15-man touring party for next year’s World Cup in Australasia after he was yesterday named in a 30-man provisional squad.
The former World No 1 ODI bowler has not played any international cricket since March due to injuries and a lack of form and with the selectors moving on to younger bowlers such as Mthokozisi Shezi, Kyle Abbott and Kagiso Rabada to back up the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, it seemed as if Tsotsobe’s chances of returning to the national team were diminishing rapidly.
The Highveld Lions left-arm swing-bowler has though returned to domestic cricket eager to prove that he remains a quality performer, especially with the new ball where his early strikes are invaluable to any team he represents. This new attitude, coupled with improved fitness, has seen a spike in his results as he is the leading wicket-taker in the One-Day Cup with 12 scalps at 18.08, while conceding only 4.42 runs to the over.
He impressive return can do his chances of a return no harm at all, and it seems he is already clawing his way back as he will be back in the green-and-gold for the Nelson Mandela Legacy Cup clash against the Springboks tomorrow evening at the Wanderers.
Tsotsobe may also get a final chance to push for the World Cup spot during the upcoming series against the West Indies, and could place significant pressure Wayne Parnell.
Parnell has been given a fair amount of opportunities recently, but has been fairly inconsistent and doubts remain over Parnell’s abilities to deliver consistently under pressure.
Parnell is one of four left-armers in the 30-man squad, along with Shezi, who will also be involved against the Boks, and Beuran Hendricks named on the provisional list. Hendricks, though, has not played any cricket since August.
Marchant de Lange, Rory Kleinveldt and Rabada are all also among the fast bowlers who will be hoping for a World Cup ticket.
The current spate of injuries suffered by the spinners in South African cricket have left the selectors will little room to manoeuvre as the regulars Imran Tahir, Aaron Phangiso and Robin Peterson are the only three slow bowlers named. The only debate remains whether three gets reduced to two or if the selectors decide on a solitary spinner due to all-round abilities of JP Duminy.
Taking just one spinner could pave the way for an extra batsman, especially considering the frailties of the middle-order, thereby giving hope to seasoned veterans like Morne van Wyk and Justin Ontong who have all been listed.
Van Wyk does have an advantage over the other batsmen in that he has the experience of the last World Cup and can fulfill the role of back-up wicket-keeper to Quinton de Kock.
World Cup preliminary squad
AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Marchant de Lange, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan Mclaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Andrew Puttick, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Mthokozisi Shezi, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Morne van Wyk, David Wiese - Cape Times