The race for the Super 8 in the T20 World Cup 2024 is heating up with teams still vying for the spots. The tournament got underway on June 1 and has witnessed some fascinating games both in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). Matches have not been high-scoring, but have kept the players and the audience at the edge of their seats.
Pakistan, the runners-up of the 2022 edition, have been knocked out of the competition. They started their campaign with losses to the USA and India, and could never recover from the early blows. New Zealand also failed to make their way through to the Super 8. They lost to Afghanistan by 84 runs and could never pick themselves up from the early blows.
The United States pulled off a huge surprise after advancing to the playoffs. Netherlands also have a chance to go through to the second round. Sri Lanka, the 2014 champions, could not advance to the Super 8.
South Africa is one of the teams that have already secured their berth in the next round of the tournament. In this article, we take a look at the contenders who could be the top bowler for them in the T20 World Cup 2024.
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South Africa’s fixtures
Check out South Africa’s four fixtures in Group D below:
- South Africa vs Sri Lanka – Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York – Monday, June 3
- South Africa vs Netherlands – Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York – Saturday, June 8
- South Africa vs Bangladesh – Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York – Monday, June 10
- South Africa vs Nepal – Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent – Friday, June 14
Potential South Africa matches in Super 8
South Africa have been clinical thus far in the ongoing tournament. The Proteas finished on top of the table in Group D with 8 points and a net run rate of +0.470 thanks to wins in all 4 of their matches. They began with a convincing win over Wanindu Hasaranga’s Sri Lanka. Since then, they had to fight their way out against the Netherlands, Bangladesh, and Nepal respectively.
Against Bangladesh, Keshav Maharaj saved the day for them by defending 11 runs in the last over. South Africa also made the record of defending their lowest score in T20Is. Thereafter, Nepal gave them a run for money before they held their nerves. With 8 runs to defend off the last over, Ottneil Baartman did not let his team down. Aiden Markram believed that South Africa were not at their best and need to improve.
South Africa’s first match in the Super 8 is against the USA on June 19. Then the Proteas will face one of England, Scotland, and Australia. On June 23, they will be up against co-hosts West Indies.
Top South African bowlers since 2023
Since the start of 2023, South Africa have played 15 T20Is. Out of them, they won 6 matches and lost 9. Anrich Nortje has been their top bowler with 12 wickets to his name from 8 matches at an economy rate of 6.75 with a 4-wicket haul to show for his efforts. Nortje recently struggled for form, but has made a strong comeback in the World Cup.
Tabraiz Shamsi has done well for the Proteas in the last 2 years. In 7 matches, the left-arm wrist spinner has taken 9 wickets at an economy rate of 9.04. He brings in an X-factor to the South African bowling and has delivered for them time and again.
Ottneil Baartman has taken 8 wickets since the start of 2023 from 5 matches at an economy rate of 4.65. The likes of Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj have also been impressive.
Check out the top South Africa bowlers in T20 Internationals since 2023:
| Player | Inns | Overs | Wkts | BBI | Ave | Econ | SR | 4 wk + |
| Anrich Nortje | 8 | 29 | 12 | 4/7 | 16.33 | 6.75 | 14.5 | 1 |
| Tabraiz Shamsi | 7 | 24 | 9 | 4/19 | 24.11 | 9.04 | 16.0 | 1 |
| Ottneil Baartman | 5 | 20 | 8 | 4/11 | 11.62 | 4.65 | 15.0 | 1 |
| Gerald Coetzee | 6 | 20.2 | 8 | 3/32 | 25.87 | 10.18 | 15.2 | 0 |
| Marco Jansen | 7 | 26.1 | 7 | 3/52 | 29.14 | 7.79 | 22.4 | 0 |
Who will be South Africa’s best bowler in T20 World Cup 2024?
Anrich Nortje has been outstanding for South Africa in the ongoing championship. The speedster has taken 9 wickets at an economy rate of 4.37. He started the tournament by winning the Player of the Match award. One the back of his spell of 4-0-7-4, the Proteas bowled Sri Lanka out for 77 inside 20 overs in New York.
The Netherlands, Bangladesh and Nepal batters also found it extremely tough to get the better of Nortje. The speedster has odds of 1.2 in Parimatch to be South Africa’s top bowler in the T20 World Cup.
Ottneil Baartman has performed well for the Proteas in the T20 tournament. In 4 matches, the fast bowler has picked up 5 wickets at an economy rate of 4. He produced his very best in the game against the Netherlands where he had stupendous figures of 4-0-11-4.
The pacer has odds of 7.50 in 22Bet to be South Africa’s top bowler in the T20 World Cup. Baartman also showed his temperament after his performance against Nepal.
Keshav Maharaj has been an asset for South Africa across formats. In the ongoing tournament, the Proteas has shown more faith in him than Tabraiz Shamsi. Maharaj also bowled brilliantly against South Africa. He has odds of 15.00 to be his team’s top bowler in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Keeping in mind all the factors, it is safe to say that Anrich Nortje would be the pick of the bowlers for South Africa in T20 World Cup 2024.
- Accept Indian Rupees as a currency
- Live Stream from mobiles
- Variety of sports betting markets
- Accept Indian Rupees as a currency
- Live Stream from mobiles
- Variety of sports betting markets