South Africa announce preliminary 30 Man World Cup Squad

AB de Villiers will captain South Africa in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and many of the country’s hopes for a maiden title will rest on skipper’s shoulders. De Villiers, making his third World Cup appearance, has had good success on the biggest stage, with a total of 725 runs at 51.78. South Africa has a strong batting line-up otherwise too. Hashim Amla, the vice-captain, has been in great form. He also had a good outing in 2011 – his only World Cup appearance so far – with 306 runs at 43.71, including a century against the Netherlands.

Both will be complemented by a strong core in the form of JP Duminy, David Miller and Faf du Plessis, with Quinton de Kock also coming on nicely.

Dale Steyn, amongst the foremost pacers in the world and the most skillful, will lead the bowling attack. Steyn showed his prowess in the 2011 edition, with 12 wickets from six matches at 16.00, including a remarkable five-wicket haul against a formidable Indian batting line-up. Morne Morkel will also pose a significant threat, capable of making use of any bounce on offer well. Morkel had also done well in the 2011 edition, taking nine wickets in six games at 23.00.

**Squad:**AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla (vice capt), Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Marchant de Lange, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan Mclaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Andrew Puttick, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Mthokozisi Shezi, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Morne van Wyk, David Wiese.