BBL: 104 runs at an average of 17.33 in six innings, SR: 120.93
SA20: 213 runs at 19:36, 50s: 1, SR: 123.12 in 12 innings
IPL: 236 runs at 26.22 in nine innings, SR: 136.41 (as on April 28)
SA20: 239 runs at an average of 29.87 in 11 innings, SR: 141.42
IPL: 288 runs at 28.80 in 10 innings, SR: 159.11 (as on April 28)
The latter parts of du Plessis’ career have been dominated by whether he will return to international level after his Test retirement in 2020, and he has not regressed in white-ball international cricket since then. His runs always suggested he should. Since last playing for South Africa, du Plessis has become something of a T20 must-have, scoring in the IPL and CPL. He also brings the experience of having played in several high-pressure events in the past. At 39, he is fit and age shouldn’t count against him, although if he is going to make an international comeback, it looks to be his last chance, and even that is slim. Du Plessis was the second-highest run-scorer in last year’s IPL, hitting eight fifties in a 150-plus strike, so the case for his inclusion could have been stronger had the T20 World Cup been held last year.
SA20: 172 runs at an average of 24.57 in nine innings, SR: 110.96
CSA T20: 440 runs at 36.66 with four fifties in 15 innings, SR: 140.12
If all was fair between the last T20 World Cup and this one, Hendricks would be de Kock’s opening partner for 2024. He was benched for the 2022 tournament, despite being in a purple patch where he scored four consecutive T20I fifties, due to the presence Captain Temba Bavum. Hendricks didn’t quit the national team and look at another career abroad, but kept chipping in, collecting runs and biding his time. Problem? He hasn’t quite scored the runs where you notice the most. Although Hendricks dominates the domestic T20 competition, he hasn’t had the same impact in SA20 – arguably of a higher standard – which may seem against him as some of his competitors have put up big numbers there.
SA20: 328 runs at an average of 32.80 in 10 innings, SR: 147.74
CSA T20: 331 runs at 36.77 in 13 innings, SR: 136.77
SA20: 530 runs at an average of 58.88 with five fifties in 10 innings, SR: 173.77
CSA T20: 441 runs at 40.09 with four fifties in 15 innings, SR: 144.11
When it comes to form, it would be impossible to ignore Rickelton. He has been South Africa’s most consistent top-order batsman in 2024 with nine fifties across the SA20 and CSA T20s, maintaining a strike rate above 140 in both. Rickelton doesn’t have de Kock’s reputation and hasn’t followed the same path as Hendricks, but neither of those things should rule him out. South Africa have long been guilty of taking proven players instead of those who seem to peak at the right time, so picking Rickelton would also represent a more innovative selection policy that rewards players at the right time.
SA20: 416 runs at an average of 40.63 in 13 innings, SR: 135.50
CSA T20: 467 runs at 35.92 in 15 innings, SR: 131.17
The same can be said for Breetzke, who fared better in the domestic competition and was one of the stars of SA20 and Durban’s Super Giants’ run to the finals. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo ahead of the SA20 play-offs, DSG captain Keshav Maharaj called Breetzke a “proper fighter” on the field and a “fierce competitor” who is “set up for a long career in international cricket” and there is every indication that Walter thinks the same . Breetkze has been part of South Africa’s last two T20I series – albeit without a strong first impression – and it remains to be seen whether Walter has the guts to include him now or prefers to keep him for the future.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa and women’s cricket correspondent