The Proteas host West Indies in Buffalo Park


By Neo Poho

A much more different Proteas team will take to the crease against West Indies as the Rob Walter era begins in a three-match one-day international series in East London (twice) and Potchefstroom.

The two sides head into the clash after a successful Test series from the Proteas side in Centurion and Johannesburg against West Indies respectively in the last couple of weeks.

The Proteas will look to duplicate the same momentum into the ODI series with the first ODI taking place at Buffalo Park in East London on Thursday with the Proteas welcoming back opening batsman Quinton de Kock.

De Kock comes back after rather having struggled in recent times and not being able to feature in the past clashes.

The big hitting left-handed batsman will look to the inclusion of new Proteas batting coach JP Duminy to help him revive his form and spark the fire which contributed to De Kock being one of the best batsman in the Proteas squad over the recent years.

With the cricket World Cup also looming ahead, De Kock will be keen to have a successful ODI series that will contribute positively to his chances of being selected in the World Cup squad.

The ODI series also sees the addition of Andile Phehlukwayo and Sisanda Magala to the squad with Kagiso Rabada being dropped.

The pair will hopefully encourage the new coach to explore his options to find a diverse pair for the all-rounder role which is yet to be cemented by any player so far.

The last day of the second Test against West Indies saw Keshav Maharaj being stretched off just before lunch after he had an achilles tendon injury, Maharaj who was already part of the ODI squad will now be replaced by Tabraiz Shamsi for the ODI series.

Meanwhile Wiaan Mulder who has also been ruled out after suffering a finger injury while batting at the Bullring will miss the ODI series and be replaced by all-rounder Wayne Parnell.

Captain Temba Bavuma remains from the Test series squad along with Tony de Zorzi and Gerald Coetzee while Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen and Bjorn Fortuin will get a run after missing out on the Test series.

With the ODI being a different ball game altogether from the Test matches, Walter will seek to start his tenure on a good note by leading the team to victory as he has worked with the South African side before as a strength and conditioning coach.

Rory Kleinveldt also comes in as bowling coach replacing Charl Lengeveldt with the first ball expected to be bowled at 13:00.

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Cricket

Proteas

West Indies

ODI Series

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