THE auditions for places in the Proteas ICC World Cup team are officially closed!
Anyone outside the ODI and T20 teams that demolished Sri Lanka had better not hold their breath.
Among those who are not guaranteed of places is Reeza Hendricks.
But the top order batsman may well have done enough with his performances in the T20 series to warrant selection.
Hendricks maintained consistency as he hit eight boundaries and two maximums to reach 66, helping South Africa to a 45 run win against the hapless Sri Lanka in a rain interrupted game here on Sunday.
The Proteas wrapped the three-match series with a whitewash, ensuring the confidence levels swell as the focus summarily shifts to the global showpiece in England and Wales.
Captain Faf du Plessis said after the fifth and last ODI series that he was “98 to 99 percent” certain who would go to England.
He said the “one or two percent” was to allow for guys who are really red hot or “striking good form” to force their way in.
While Hendricks has made a strong case for selection, Aiden Markram’s place is uncertain.
He was bowled out for 15 yesterday, done in by some extra bounce as he got caught by Lasith Malinga off Sarunga Lakmal.
Dwaine Pretorius was the highest scorer with 77 runs while JP Duminy chipped in with an impressive 34 off 12 balls as the Proteas set Sri Lanka a target of 198.
Of course, the likes of Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla and David Miller could be certain of their places in the team, just as the Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir are preparing their bags for the UK trip.
Andile Phehukwayo, who took the two wickets yesterday, should go as a seamer ahead of all-rounder Wiaan Mulder.
Spinners Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamzi are on the periphery.
It was yet another tough outing for Sri Lanka, who still couldn’t find a win the limited T20 overs games.
They appear to be a team in tatters heading to the World Cup as key batsman such as Niroshan Dickwella battle for form.
One fans Dickwella’s poor performance thus: “In India such talented players like Raina, KL Rahul, Pandey, Rahane sit on the bench without getting selected even though all of them with full quality talent. But here in Sri Lanka batsmen like Dickwella are reserved a place in team for eternity even though they fail to do both the batsmen and keepers job.”
He was bowled for 38 and it was left to Isuru Udana to do dig the Sri Lankans out of the hole.
But in the end, it his effort wasn't enough.
