South Africa announce full-strength squad for ODI series against Netherlands with 2023 World Cup qualification in mind

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced a full-strength squad for a couple of ODIs against the Netherlands on Monday, March 27. Benoni and Johannesburg will host the fixtures on March 31 and April 2, respectively, as the Proteas eye a direct qualification for the 50-over World Cup.

Fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje have returned to the fold after skipping the series against the West Indies. The selectors rested both fast bowlers from the three-match series against the Caribbeans that ended in a 1-1 draw, with the first game resulting in a washout due to persistent showers.

Skipper Temba Bavuma faces a fitness test on Tuesday to ensure he has recovered from the niggle he picked up during his knock of 144 in the second ODI against the West Indies.

Throwing light on the squad, Proteas' white-ball coach Rob Walter said that they have given themselves the best chance of qualification with a full-strength squad. As quoted by ESPN Cricinfo, Walter stated:

"We have named our strongest possible squad for these games given the importance of these matches in the context of qualifying for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. We have a job to do and I am confident that with this group of players we can get the job done."

The series will also be the first time South Africa face the Dutch since the latter stunned them in their final group game of the 2022 T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

Should the hosts win both matches without over-rate penalties, they will directly qualify for the 50-over showpiece event if Sri Lanka lose two out of the three ODIs in New Zealand and Ireland lose at least one to Bangladesh in the three-match series in May.

With the second ODI on April 3, South Africa's IPL-bound players can join their respective franchises on April 3 at the earliest.

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South Africa's squad to face the Netherlands:

Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Rassie van der Dussen.