WORLD CUP: Group B Squads - South Africa

South Africa World Cup Squad

Batsmen

Graeme Smith (Captain) - 29 - Left Hand Opening Batsman

Hashim Amla - 27 - Right Hand Opening/Top Order Batsman

Colin Ingram - 25 - Left Hand Top Order Batsman

AB De Villiers - 26 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman - Wicket Keeper

Jean-Paul Duminy - 26 - Left Hand Middle Order Batsman

Morne Van Wyk - 31 - Right Hand Top/Middle Order Batsman - Wicket Keeper

All-Rounders
Jacques Kallis - 35 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Faf du Plessis - 26 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Leg Spin Bowler

Spin Bowlers
Johan Botha - 28 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler
Imran Tahir - 31 - Right Arm Leg Spin Bowler
Robin Peterson - 31 - Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler

Fast Bowlers
Dale Steyn - 27 - Right Arm Fast Bowler
Morne Morkel - 26 - Right Arm Fast Bowler

Wayne Parnell - 21 - Left Arm Medium Fast Bowler

Lonwabo Tsotsobe - 26 - Left Arm Fast Medium Bowler

South Africa have perhaps the most interesting and surprising squad of any of the 14 teams at this 2011 World Cup. It is not so much the names that are unexpected, but the sudden back flip selectors seem to have had, and how unusual the balance of the squad looks. 

South Africa's vibrant and always successful (except in World Cups) One-Day International teams have always been characterised by a certain unique approach in terms of the balance of the side. A look over South African squads of the past will see experienced packed top order batting, a select group of mean fast bowlers, with a long list of exciting medium pace bowling all-rounders of varying quality but unwavering excitement in between. Names like Klusener, Pollock, Kallis, McMillan, Kuiper, Cronje, Kemp, Hall and Morkel are just a few names that roll of the tongue. Quality spin is rare to be seen. Yes there's been names like Henry, Symcox, Adams, Crookes, Boje and Peterson, but they would hardly instill much nostalgic fear in any cricket fan's mind. The top and the bottom of the squads may look rather similar, but the diversion from standard practice comes in the middle, where the usual swashbuckling style has given away to a quartet of spinners, and a middle order more about no-nonsense prodding and poking. 

A lot has been made of this unusual squad with many people dismayed. However I feel like it's a big step in the right direction. For starters South Africa's brilliant adventurers on paper have always crumbled at the World Cup when it really mattered. More importantly, the kind of characters being persisted with were unconvincing. The biggest exclusions are the plethora of big-hitting all-rounders who were spectacular but woefully inconsistent, like Albie Morkel, David Miller and Ryan McLaren. The selectors have finally come out of their stale shell and picked an appropriate timely squad for the conditions, not afraid to take risks such as picking Imran Tahir who is yet to play a single ODI, or the unproven du Plessis and Van Wyk who may seem like surprise picks, but make perfect sense in a subcontinental context. Unfortunately one recent trend has been stuck to in this squad, the omission of Test Wicket Keeper and all-time great Mark Boucher in favour of a multi-tasking AB De Villiers behind the stumps, despite his still novice international keeping skills. Boucher's batting, safe keeping and overall experience would be of far more use, and better balance the the squad than Robin Peterson whose selection as a fourth front-line spinner borders on overkill. Smith and Duminy can adequately provide back-up spin support.

Prediction

It's always impossible making any pick about a South African World Cup performance such is their luck at the tournament. 2007 was the first World Cup in which South Africa were not eliminated through a freak upset or fortuitous happening, but instead they were mediocre and never threatened despite coming in as No.1 int he world. On paper South Africa or India should win the whole tournament and only a brave man could bet against the Proteas. But I am a brave man. South Africa will fight for 1st and 2nd in the group with India, setting up a likely Quarter-Final with major underdogs Pakistan or New Zealand. The recipe is ripe for shock and disaster there.

Hosford's XI

Smith (C), Amla, Ingram, Kallis, De Villiers, Duminy, du Plessis, Botha, Steyn, Morkel, Tsotsobe.