Batsman Rassie van der Dussen has expressed disappointment at being omitted from the Proteas’ squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Van der Dussen will captain South Africa in this month’s T20I series against the West Indies. But he has not been named in the squad for June’s T20 World Cup in the United States of America and Caribbean.
“Obviously I’m disappointed not to be in the final 15, anyone would be. I’ve had a really good year, I gave myself every chance that I could to break into the 15,” said van der Dussen.
“But at the end of the day the coach has to make his call and pick the 15 he thinks has the best chance.
“In terms of reasons given, there were reasons given – whether I agree with them or not is irrelevant.
“It is not a case of me standing here saying I need to be there instead of someone else – this squad is really strong and is really well balanced.”
South Africa will be without several first-choice players during the T20I series against the West Indies. Batsmen Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram – and others – will still be involved in the Indian Premier League at the time.
“It’s just a weird situation. Ideally, you want the squad to spend some time together and play together, but the IPL complicates that to an extent,” added van der Dussen.
South Africa have been pooled with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Nepal in group D at this year’s T20 World Cup. The Proteas have never won the tournament. They were losing semi-finalists in 2009 and 2014.
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