Proteas start awkward World Cup prep by 'jammin' in Jamaica

The three-match T20 series between West Indies and South Africa that starts in Kingston, Jamaica, on Thursday night is important for a myriad of reasons, but hardly anyone — outside the players in the two teams — will pay it much attention. 

Ostensibly inserted as part of preparations for the T20 World Cup which starts on June 2, the IPL has robbed the series of many of the top names in both sides, leaving it in a bizarre space, where those players who didn’t earn an IPL contract are getting the chance to find some rhythm while waiting for the rest of their teammates to join them before the World Cup.

The IPL finishes on Sunday, the same day as the final match of the series, with the Proteas players heading to Florida for another warm-up exercise next week before journeying to New York for their World Cup opener against Sri Lanka on June 3. 

Weirdly, the Proteas will be captained by Rassie van der Dussen, who is still dealing with disappointment after being omitted from the World Cup, while trying to help in the preparation of teammates for that event. 

“That is the role I can play now; spending time with guys who are going to a World Cup for the first time. In the West Indies I’ll do my best to share my experiences as someone who has been successful in World Cups,” said Van der Dussen. 

Given the circumstances, Van der Dussen’s maturity and selflessness must be a great relief to South African cricket. It could have been awkward, but it isn’t — because Van der Dussen genuinely wants what’s best for the team, which contains eight of the players in the World Cup, with Lungi Ngidi, who is a travelling reserve.

Three players, Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortjé and Gerald Coetzee, who completed their IPL duties last week, have accompanied the squad to Jamaica but won’t play in the series, with head coach Rob Walter keen to have them close to monitor their preparation before the World Cup. 

For others, most notably seamer Ottniel Baartman who hasn’t played in six weeks, the series will be critical for his preparation.

Baartman owes his spot in the World Cup squad to his excellent second season in the SA20, where he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker behind his Sunrisers Eastern Cape and soon-to-be Proteas teammate Marco Jansen.

Baartman elevated himself above other seamers with his “death” bowling skills, particularly his yorker, which he lands with regularity.

Given the power-hitting ability available among nearly all the top sides at the World Cup, Baartman’s execution will be of critical importance to the Proteas. 

The West Indies find themselves in a similar to South Africa, as they are also missing a number of their household names because of the IPL, including Andre Russell and skipper Rovman Powell. 

They will be captained by Brandon King and still have seven World Cup-bound players in their group.

“This series is a vital part of our preparation,” King said.

“Match practise is something you cannot replicate in training.”

South Africa also completed a training camp in Pretoria last Friday, with Walter’s focus also on 2027, hence the selection of Matthew Breetzke and, notably, 22-year-old leg-spinner Nqaba Peter.

It’s unlikely the latter will see any action but Walter is keen for him to get a feel for the Proteas while he continues his development.

SA squad for West Indies: Matthew Breetzke, Ottniel Baartman, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen (capt), Quinton de Kock, Gerald Coetzee, Anrich Nortjé.