Calls for 'smart batting' as Proteas not perturbed by lack of all-rounders in World Cup squad

Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter and skipper Temba Bavuma are not too concerned over South Africa's World Cup squad's batting depth.

This comes after Walter only picked one all-rounder, Marco Jansen, in his 15-man group for next month's Cricket World Cup in India.

The Proteas side-stepped experienced Wayne Parnell, who continues his recovery from a left shoulder injury.

Proteas World Cup squad:

Temba Bavuma (captain), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen

Skipper Bavuma will lead the side and is one of the eight players who've received their maiden World Cup call-ups.

With only one all-rounder selected, South Africa's lower-order batting depth has been put into question.

"We've got a backup batter in the group," Walter told reporters in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

"I back all of them, they're very versatile as well. If someone was knocked out through injury, then we certainly have the replacements to come into India.

"I didn't feel that we needed to carry an extra batter in the squad at the expense of the team."

Bavuma says that the Proteas top order is not concerned about the lower-order's inability to bat.

"I don't think it'll curtail us as batters," said Bavuma.

"It's something we are aware of as a team but I think maybe it just calls out on a bit of smartness from us.

"In approaching the games as batters, it will all be the same. We're always looking to be positive. We're always looking for opportunities to turn the game into our favour, to back our skill and game sense and do that consistently over a period."

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