Amla in as Proteas reveal Cup squad

After much discussion surrounding his future, Hashim Amla has been included in South Africa's 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup.

The Proteas today unveiled their playing group as they bid to win the tournament for the first time, with the potential omission of 36-year-old Amla the only real point of contention.

As it stands, Amla – who needs 90 runs in his next three innings to become the fastest player to 8,000 ODI runs – will compete for an opening spot with young gun Aiden Markram and in-form 'keeper-batsman Quinton de Kock.

South Africa World Cup squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, JP Duminy, Dwaine Pretorius, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi

South Africa's World Cup adventures have ended prematurely in unfortunate circumstances on numerous occasions earning them the 'chokers' tag at the 50-over event.

Ranked fourth in ODIs, Faf du Plessis' side, however, have not lost a 50-over series in the past 12 months, winning home and away against Sri Lanka, in Australia, and at home to Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

All of it convinces veteran quick Dale Steyn that the team could break their World Cup duck this time.

"We're going with good expectations," Steyn told reporters ahead of the Royal Challengers Bangalore's IPL match in Kolkata.

"If you're not going to the World Cup expecting to win, then you probably shouldn't go. But I'm not going to lie, we have some fantastic players."

South Africa in the past fell foul of an unfair rain rule, paid for miscalculating the Duckworth-Lewis run-rate requirement, and suffered comical run outs to crash out of the competition.

Four years ago, they fell short in a thrilling semi-final when New Zealand's Grant Elliott hit Steyn for a six off the penultimate ball of the match to seal victory.

Steyn, who has taken 196 wickets in 125 ODIs, showered rich praise on fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and pinned hopes on the 23-year-old to lead South Africa's bowling attack in the future.

"You look at KG (Rabada), he's been bowling exceptionally well. Kagiso is a wunderkind. Just hope he continues that kind of form."

South Africa open their World Cup against England at The Oval on May 30.

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

May 25: (warm-up) England v Australia, Southampton

May 27: (warm-up) Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE