South Africa World Cup squad penpix by AFP

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 24th February 2007

 

Graeme Smith (LHB/RAOB/capt)
Age: 26. ODI appearances: 104. First cap: v AUS, Bloemfontein, March 30, 2002
South Africa's youngest-ever captain at 22 has now matured into one of the shrewdest leaders of the game. He also leads from the front, opening the innings with panache and chips in as an occasional off-spin bowler.
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Jacques Kallis (RHB/RAFM)
Age: 31. ODI appearances: 247. First cap: v ENG, Cape Town, Jan 9, 1996
He is arguably the greatest all-rounder in contemporary cricket who is capable of turning a match around with either bat or ball. He has played in the crucial number three position with distinction and provides his captain with an additional bowling option.
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Loots Bosman (RHB)
Age: 29. ODI appearances: 8. First cap: v ZIM, Bloemfontein, Sept 15, 2006
The hard-hitting opening batsman is a joy for spectators when in full flow, smacking sixes and fours almost at will. He may, however, not make it to the playing XI at the start in the World Cup.
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Mark Boucher (RHB/WK)
Age: 30. ODI appearances: 233. First cap: v NZL, Perth, Jan 16, 1998
The most experienced wicket-keeper in the game and a tremendous lower order batsman who can be entrusted to win the game at the death. A gutsy cricketer who believes in the adage that no game is won or lost till the last ball.
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AB de Villiers (RHB/WK)
Age: 22. ODI appearances: 31. First cap: v ENG, Bloemfontein, Feb 2, 2005
The young strokeplayer is highly rated by his peers for attractive and positive batting. He is also a superb fielder close-in, not a surprise since he started as a wicket-keeper and can stand-in for Boucher if needed.
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Herschelle Gibbs (RHB)
Age: 32. ODI appearances: 198. First cap: v KEN, Nairobi, Oct 3, 1996
The former opener was pushed down the order after a lean trot at the top but he remains as effective in the middle-order. Besides, he is worth 50 runs in the field due to his brilliant fielding at point and in the covers.
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Andrew Hall (RHB/RAM)
Age: 31. ODI appearances: 76. First cap: v WIS, Durban, Jan 27, 1999
The bits-and-pieces cricketer that make a successful one-day team. He is probably the only cricketer in the world who was shot at point-blank range during a robbery and lived to tell the tale.
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Justin Kemp (RHB/RAM)
Age: 29. ODI appearances: 69. First cap: v SRI, Bloemfontein, Jan 14, 2001
The explosive lower-order batsman with a penchant for big hits. He is also a useful medium-pacer capable of keeping runs in check.
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Charl Langeveldt (RHB/RAFM)
Age: 32. ODI appearances: 38. First cap: v KEN, Kimberley, Oct 14, 2001
The undemonstrative seamer with a no-nonsense approach to the game. He will take wickets, keep the runs down and field with as much enthusiasm of a 20-year-old.
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Andre Nel (RHB/RAF)
Age: 29. ODI appearances: 56. First cap: v WIS, Port-of-Spain, May 12, 2001
The muscular fast bowler sometimes lets his mouth do the talking instead of concentrating on getting batsmen out. But he remains a deadly opponent with the ball and will be counted on by his team to strike early blows.
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Makhaya Ntini (RHB/RAF)
Age: 29. ODI appearances: 144. First cap: v NZL, Perth, Jan 16, 1998
The pace spearhead is a hostile bowler on any surface with a speedy run-up modelled on the West Indian great Malcolm Marshall. The first black cricketer to play for South Africa is a role model for youngsters across the country.
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Robin Peterson (LHB/SLA)
Age: 27. ODI appearances: 33. First cap: v IND, Colombo, Sept 25, 2002
The lone specialist spinner in the squad, he may not have been very successful in taking wickets but an economy rate of 4.73 indicates how miserly he can be in conceding runs.
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Shaun Pollock (RHB/RAFM)
Age: 33. ODI appearances: 274. First cap: v ENG, Cape Town, Jan 9, 1996
The veteran all-rounder is at the peak of his prowess with both bat and ball, lending strength to an already formidable team. The most successful bowler in South African history says a World Cup win is what he has been dreaming of these days.
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Ashwell Prince (LHB/SLA)
Age: 30. ODI appearances: 43. First cap: v BAN, Kimberley, Oct 9, 2002
Once regarded as too slow for one-day cricket, he has improved his strike rate with the bat enough to impress selectors in giving him a regular one-day spot. The left-hander became South Africa's first black captain when he led the team on a tour of Sri Lanka in Smith's absence.
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Roger Telemachus (RHB/RAFM)
Age: 33. ODI appearances: 37. First cap: v PAK, Durban, April 3, 1998
A border-line selection for the World Cup, the fast bowler now gets a chance to prove those critics wrong who preferred young all-rounder Johan van der Wath in the squad.
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(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)