South Africa announce 44-man High Performance training squad
As many as 44 South African cricketers will return to training with Cricket South Africa (CSA) getting the green signal from Sports Ministry. As per reports, the organization will meet on Thursday to discuss the plan of action. The agenda will be getting the national men's and women's teams back in action. Here is more on the same.
Cricket South Africa announced the squad on Twitter
#CSAnews Men’s High Performance players return to training https://t.co/QTNn4TNS9M pic.twitter.com/1JPZe9sm0T
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) June 29, 2020
Here is South Africa's training squad
Training squad: Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Junior Dala, Theunis de Bruyn, Rassie van der Dussen, Shaun von Berg, Dwaine Pretorius, Henrich Klaasen, Temba Bavuma, Reeza Hendricks, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Wiaan Mulder, Bjorn Fortuin, Andile Phehlukwayo, David Miller, Sarel Erwee, Khaya Zondo, Daryn Dupavillon, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Keagan Petersen, Imran Tahir, Lutho Sipamla, Edward Moore, Anrich Nortje.
Other players in the training squad
Other players: Sisanda Magala, Glenton Stuurman, Jon-Jon Smuts, Rudi Second, Pite van Biljon, Raynaard van Tonder, Gerald Coetzee, Pieter Malan, Zubayr Hamza, Janneman Malan, Faf du Plessis, Tony de Zorzi, Beuran Hendricks, Nandre Burger, George Linde and Kyle Verreynne.
Players will follow stern guidelines during the training sessions
All training sessions will be held under strict guidelines announced by CSA's Steering Committee. "Our prevention programme, besides the regular testing of players and support staff, is predicated on personal hygiene measures and creating a sanitised ecosystem," Shuaib Manjra, CSA's chief medical officer said. "COVID-19 compliance managers at each venue have assumed responsibility to ensure all the elements of the protocol are implemented."
Cricket has been suspended in South Africa since March
The South African cricketers have been out of action since the completion of domestic One-Day Cup group stage. The playoffs and final did not proceed further. In March, South Africa toured India to play a three-match ODI series, however, the series was called-off due to coronavirus pandemic. Their white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, which was due this month, was also postponed.
Plans for women's training squad will be finalized soon
Plans for resumption of training for the women's High Performance training squad will be set out shortly. Notably, the training sessions will be closed to the media including photographers, until CSA makes provision for a media opportunity.
The road ahead!
South Africa were hopeful of hosting India for three T20Is in August, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave no assurance. The bilateral series is expected to be rescheduled to a later date. Earlier this month, CSA postponed the newly introduced 3TC format due to lack of preparation. Meanwhile, the cricket board will discuss elements of the FTP this week.
