JOHANNESBURG: South Africa have included off-form opening batsman Hashim Amla in their squad for the Cricket World Cup in England and Wales starting next month, but there is no place for all-rounder Chris Morris.

The 36-year-old’s selection has been the topic of hot debate. He has been a stalwart at the top of the order for the last decade, but his form in all formats has been called into question in the past year.

In One-day International cricket he has managed a single century in his previous 16 innings, dating back to the start of 2018, at an average of 35.26.

He was given the opportunity to find form in domestic cricket over the last few weeks, but has a top-score of 32 in six innings, failing to reach double-figures in three of those.

Morris’s exclusion as an all-rounder is a surprise given his form in the Indian Premier League and his death-bowling ability, but the selectors have instead opted for Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo, with only one of those ever likely to play at any given time.

The 15-man squad was largely as predicted by most pundits, with Amla’s form the biggest talking point ahead of the announcement.

In keeping with a recent comment by Cricket South Africa chief executive Thabang Moroe that racial quotas would not apply for the World Cup, eight white players were selected. CSA has an official target of black players making up 55 percent of teams.

South Africa’s campaign in the 2015 World Cup ended in controversy over quotas when official pressure was exerted to pick Vernon Philander for a semi-final against New Zealand despite the team management wanting to stay with the team that won the quarter-final against Sri Lanka, when Philander was injured.

Philander was picked ahead of the in-form Kyle Abbott, who subsequently signed a Kolpak contract with English county Hampshire.

“We are very happy with the squad we have been able to put together and have every confidence in their ability to do our country proud at the World Cup,” said selection convener Linda Zondi. “The fact that we have managed to win our last five series in a row in this format against Zimbabwe, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka twice underlines the quality of the team that Faf [du Plessis] will lead into the contest.

“The final selection is also the result of a very rigorous search we have conducted, leaving no stone unturned, to make sure that we have made the best use of the options available to us.

“We feel that Faf’s team is well equipped to handle whatever conditions are presented to them, bearing in mind the weather extremes one can encounter in the British Isles.”

Fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje were both injury doubts, but have been selected, with the former especially crucial to the side given his wicket-taking ability and economy in the opening overs.

Rassie van der Dussen, who only made his debut for the side in January but averages 88.25 from his eight ODI innings, was chosen ahead of Reeza Hendricks, while Test opener Aiden Markram also gets the nod on the back of some excellent domestic form.

Experienced batsman J.P. Duminy and fast bowler Dale Steyn were also included.

Imran Tahir will be the starting leg-spinner, with the guile of Tabraiz Shamsi another option in that department.

South Africa have opted not to select a specialist wicket-keeper as back-up to Quinton de Kock, but instead will rely on part-timer David Miller, who wore the gloves for some of the recent 5-0 series sweep of Sri Lanka.

South Africa have reached the semi-finals in four of their seven World Cup campaigns but have lost six times in seven knock-out matches. Their only knock-out win was against Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals in 2015.

Du Plessis, Amla, Duminy, Imran and Steyn will be playing in their third World Cup, while de Kock and Miller will be making their second appearance on one-day cricket’s biggest stage.

The South Africans will be wearing a specially-designed World Cup shirt at the tournament, mainly in apple green with darker green patterned sleeves.

South Africa, seeking a first World Cup trophy, open their campaign against England at The Oval on May 30.

Squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, J.P. Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2019