Walter looks to correct SA’s recent white-ball record in CT

Walter focuses on SA's Champions Trophy preparations

Rob Walter, the South African coach, is closely monitoring the SA20 tournament to observe the performances of his players. With the Champions Trophy starting on February 15, Walter is making the most of the SA20 to evaluate his squad, as some players might not have any other cricket before assembling in Pakistan.

Walter's task is complicated by the fact that some players are committed to franchise leagues, which impacts their availability for international cricket. This has led him to select a larger squad of 24 players for the ODI series this season.

When asked about South Africa's white-ball performance, Walter acknowledged the disappointing results, winning only seven out of 17 games. However, he emphasized the importance of building bench strength and providing international exposure for a broader base of players.

The Champions Trophy squad includes 13 players from the larger squad, along with Anrich Nortje and Keshav Maharaj, who were unavailable due to injury. Nortje's return is noteworthy, as he has not played any international cricket since June last year. Lungi Ngidi also made the cut, having last played internationally in October.

Walter admitted that there were tough decisions, particularly between Gerald Coetzee and Anrich Nortje. Coetzee, who performed well in the 2023 World Cup, was not selected due to Nortje's experience and attributes.

Some players, like Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, and Lizaad Williams, who were part of the 2023 World Cup squad, did not make the Champions Trophy squad. Walter might have watched Hendricks score a 37-ball 59 and Fortuin bowl tidy overs, but they were not selected due to the quality of the players who made the cut.

Despite the challenges, Walter remains focused on the task at hand, observing the SA20 and preparing his squad for the Champions Trophy.