South Africa announce preliminary squad for 2015 ICC World Cup

AB de Villiers will lead South Africa in the 2015 ICC World Cup

South Africa announced their 30-man preliminary squad for the 2015 ICC World Cup on Wednesday. Proteas all-rounder Justin Ontong, who last played an ODI for South Africa in 2012, has been included in the squad, handing him a glimmer of hope of making it to the showpiece event in Australia and New Zealand, but he’ll face extremely stiff competition for a place in the final fifteen.

The 34-year-old, till date, has played just 2 Tests and 28 ODIs, in which he has scored 57 and 184 runs at averages of 19 and 13.14 respectively.

The likes of Kagiso Rabada, Chris Morris and Rilee Rossouw among others have been rewarded for their performances in the domestic circuit in recent times with a place in the 30-member squad.

Apart from one or two spots at the most, however, the final 15-member Proteas squad should wear a settled look, with the likes of AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Hashim Amla expected to lead South Africa’s charge at the World Cup. The deadline for the submission of the final squads is January 7.

Full squad: AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla (vice-capt), 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