World Cup 2015: Probable South Africa XI

South Africa has a curiouslittlehistory with cricket World Cups.Their first World Cup appearance came in 1992 wherethey reached the semifinals, and lost to England thanks toone of the most bizarre endings in the history of cricket.In 1996, they reached the quarters to be eliminated by Caribbeans and in 1999, they were yet again eliminated in the semi-finals where they played one of the greatest ODIs against the Aussies, it was a tie and still Australia marched past them on the basis of net run rate to later win the cup.2003 turned out to be their worst outing, despitebeingtheir homely affair,they were eliminated in the league stage which led to sacking of Shaun Pollock as captain.In the next two world cups, again history repeated itself as they lost in Semiand Quarter finalsrespectively to Australia and New Zealand.Proteas are arguably the best ODI playing side of last 2 decades, only behind Australia in terms of win percentage and consistency, but their inability to perform at big tournaments hasfetched the infamous tagof Chokers.In 2015, they would try yet again to wash their past. This time though, they would perhaps go without the veterans like Mark Boucher, Graeme Smith andHerschelle Gibbs, while Jacques Kallis, the greatest knight in their history has retired from tTst cricket to focus completely on his last World Cup. He will love to go into the sunset with the trophy shadowing his storied career.So how will thisSouth African side look like?I have tried to construct the bestXIhere from the resources they have:NOTE: The opinions expressed in this article are of the writer's and not of the website as a whole.

#1 Quinton de Kock (wk)

After Mark Boucher had to end his career abruptly, there was no permanent man to wear the gloves for the Proteas. For some time, de Villers took the responsibility much like Dravid did for India in past but that was not a permanent solution to the glaring issue. Qinton de Kock is.

He is everything SA would want from their wicketkeeper. He is agile and tidy behind the stumps and bats at the top with an ODI average of 46 in his 16-match career. Just 21 years of age, he can serve his nation for many years to come. Proteas might be seeing an Adam Gilchrist of their own in de Kock.

#2 Hashim Amla

Boasting an ODI average of 53 and strike rate of 90, he was recently named the Test skipper for South Africa after Smith hung up his boots.

Technique and temperament are his two best friends. A cool customer generally, his bat speaks and screams like only few in world cricket today. He is the perfect sheet anchor who can hold one end while others fluorish. He has opened the innings with Graeme Smith in many matches and now de Kock shall be his partner keeping the left-right dynamics going.

#3 Jacques Kallis

What can I say about this man, except for a fact that he has been my favorite cricketer since I started watching cricket and for me he is next only to Sachin Tendulkar in terms of respect and records. If Sachin was the reason for me to start watching the game, Kallis along with Dravid, were the ones who made me a true fan.

He has defined South African Cricket to perfection. Much like him, his team is known for great all round display of the game and a gentleman’s spirit. He has been their poster boy for nearly 2 decades now.

Arguably the greatest Protea to ever play cricket, he retired from Test cricket a few months ago to play in this upcoming World Cup. He wants to bid adieu at the biggest stage in the grandest fashion and lets respect that. He will play next year unless something tremendously bad does happen.

He is approaching 40 but still only few can match his batting prowess and bowling consistency. His experience shall be a treasure in tough English conditions.

Coming at number 3, he eliminates the dilemma of playing another a bowling allrounder like Ryan Mclaren or Wayne Parnell in the side.

#4 Faf du Plessis

Known as “Faf” in the dressing room, he had a close escape from talent drain to England in 2008. Becoming one of the most popular players in South African Cricket, he is a domestic darling who has toiled his way to the top.

A part of 2011 WC squad which “choked” in the quarters, he would love to change the fate of his side in London. Although he hasn’t featured much in the ODI scheme of things much recently, one expects him to be a part of the World Cup squad.

#5 AB de Viliers (c)

92 tests, 7000+ runs, average touching 52 and 159 ODIs, 6000+ runs, average touching 50 at a strike rate of 94, there is a reason why VVS Laxman called him the most complete batsman of present times. Wisden annual used a term “chutzpah” for his ability, which means “extreme self-confidence or audacity in positive approving way.” He deserves a place in any playing XI of any era.

There is no other AB de Villiers, no one is even close! No, not even Kohli!

#6 JP Duminy

A fantastic middle order batsman, Duminy has been one of the strengths of South Africa’s batting for a long time now. He will step into the World Cup as one of the most experienced veterans in the team. He can bowl decently and makes batting look extremely easy with his run-by-run approach. His IPL success has shown that he can be extremely destructive when the time demands him to be. His best feature is his ability to improvise with situation.

Miller and Duminy are great finishers and if SA is looking to improve its chasing records, these two must come to party.

#7 David Miller

He believes in hitting the ball with such brute power that it would fear coming back to the field. He became a fan favorite in IP 2014 where he along with Australia’s Glenn Maxwell took King’s XI Punjab to the finals.

This youngster from Natal has a fantastic temperament and ability to strike in the most difficult situations. He can single-handedly take the match away from any opposition. He can truly become a legend if he fetches the World Cup for his side next year.

#8 Vernon Philander

An exceptional pace bowler, he can run through any batting line up on his day. He reached 50 Test wickets only in his 7th match which speaks about his incredible bowling prowess.

What often goes unseen is his batting abilities though. He boasts a batting average of 27 in Tests and 20 in ODIs. He can also be handy in death overs.

He can move the ball both ways on any pitch in any condition which makes him a lethal bowling all rounder.

He has recently made it to the ODI squad, a stint which must continue in England next year. He is one of the prime reasons for Proteas’ success in Test matches and there is no reason why he cant do that with white ball.

#9 Morne Morkel

Counted amongst world’s best bowlers of our times, this Lanky speedster was the bowling spearhead for KKR in IPL and has been a go-to-bowler for the Proteas whenever they need wickets. Often overshadowed by the charisma of Steyn and explosiveness of Philander, Morne Morkel has found a niche for himself. His aim remains to bowl wicket to wicket at 140 constantly for long spells.

His bowling average of 23 and an economy below 5 is very encouraging as far as SA is concerned, not so much for the other teams. Younger Morkel is a name to reckon with, which has become synonymous to consistency.

#10 Dale Steyn

What can I say about him? Am I even deemed enough to speak about his abilities? I don't think so, I am a small man, lets hear what Harsha Bhogle had to say about him the other day,

“It is human nature to underrate the present and grossly overrate the past, but if you outlaw that trait, the time has come to place Steyn among the greatest fast bowlers of the game.”

Steyn is the greatest bowler today. He leads a pace battery of Morkel and Philander, a trio which has a tendancy to take a wicket in every 7th over. Now, that is chilling!

#11 Imran Tahir

If the pace attack of Proteas was not intimidating enough, add this 35-year-old leggie to the fold. He may have started late in his career thanks to the likes of Johan Botha and Robin Peterson, but he has been pretty much the answer to the lurking void created after Boje’s departure for the past few years.

In 13 ODIs, he has got a bowling average of 17 at an economy of 4.35. His T20 bowling is equally impressive. He is a fantastic bowler for the shorter formats of the game.

He along with Duminy would make for a fine compliment to the scorching pace attack that Proteas have.