The curious case (and timing) of South Africa's T20 World Cup squad

South Africa's selectors stated their men's T20 World Cup squad had been largely finalised during the tour to India last November and December. Yet, CSA chose to announce it publicly eight days after the SA20 began, 24 days before the tournament's end, and 30 days before the ICC's submission deadline.

This timing has allowed significant criticism, particularly regarding the omission of Ottneil Baartman. At the squad announcement, Baartman had taken five wickets at an economy of 9.50 in two SA20 games for Paarl Royals. In three subsequent matches, he claimed 11 more wickets at 7.50 runs per over, totaling 18 wickets at an economy of 8.39.

His exclusion appeared especially questionable after he took 5/16, including a hat-trick, against Pretoria Capitals in Centurion. This performance made him the tournament's leading wicket-taker after 25 round-robin games and secured the best bowling figures of this SA20 edition. Similarly, Ryan Rickelton of Mumbai Indians Cape Town—the only player with two centuries in the competition's history, both this year—is the top run-scorer but also missed World Cup selection.

Enoch Nkwe, CSA's director of national teams, explained that squads are required one month prior to the tournament start, including warm-ups. While CSA submitted their squad by the January 2 deadline, they were not obligated to announce it publicly then. They could have requested the ICC delay publication until January 31, retaining the option for tactical changes.

Five other competing teams—the United States, Pakistan, West Indies, Italy, and the UAE—have yet to publicly reveal their squads, utilizing this flexibility. When asked about potential changes, Nkwe said, "We can still make changes, especially if there is an injury."

Baartman is among South Africa's tournament reserves. His need for an injury to another fast bowler to make the squad has drawn criticism, notably from Dale Steyn. During Baartman's recent performance, Steyn posted on social media: "Why did CSA not wait and announce their team on the night of the final, using this tournament as a form guide?… Now we see the selected players under pressure to perform and players who missed out killing it."

Baartman, however, responded diplomatically after his five-wicket haul: "The World Cup is a different story. All I can do is wish [South Africa] the best… I wasn't too disappointed. I didn't think I was going to be picked." This is puzzling given his performance in the T20I series in India last December, where he took five wickets in 10.5 overs at an economy of 8.95—only Lungi Ngidi took more wickets for South Africa.

Announcing the squad after the SA20 final could have built drama and demonstrated selectors' awareness of current form. Instead, the early announcement has led to public scrutiny and speculation, including questions about whether political pressure from South Africa's Minister of Sport, Art and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, influenced the timing.

With nine SA20 games remaining, including playoffs, there is ample opportunity for this controversy to continue. The situation underscores that timing is indeed everything.