Janneman Malan

Janneman Malan came in with the reputation of the most prolific run-scorer in the South African domestic circuit. However, his entry to the ODI stage was no less than a flop show. Having made his T20I debut in 2019, Malan was introduced to the 50-over format in 2020 against the Australians. Nerves got better of the top-order batter who could only manage a golden duck to Mitchell Starc, the South African redeemed himself by cracking a 129* in the very next game to stamp his authority. 

Malan is a top-order batsman who has already made a name for himself with some exceptional batting at the top of the order. Having churned out runs for fun in the domestic circuit, he became the CSA Sunfoil Three Day Cup Cricketer of the Year in 2017-18, where the top-order batter scored very heavily in all formats. On the back of some impressive performances, Malan was snapped up by the Cape Cobras for the 2018-19 season. 

Later that season, he was snapped up by the Cape Town Blitz for the first edition of the Mzansi Super League and went onto have a good time for them. After some good showing, he was handed that elusive international debut when he was included in the squad for the series against Pakistan in the absence of Quinton de Kock. 

The South African made his T20I debut against the visiting Pakistan at Johannesburg, in 2019 to score a well-nurtured 33 before handing his wicket to Imad Wasim. The selectors persisted in Malan and rewarded him an ODI debut, the following year. 

After failing on debut, Malan made an immediate impact and scored a magnificent 129 in the 2nd ODI as South Africa chased down 272 with the utmost ease. The innings had class written all over it as the opener reprimanded the likes of Starc, Pat Cummins, and Adam Zampa as if they were club-level bowlers. 

Malan toured Pakistan for the historic series in 2021 to play a couple more T20Is. However, when Pakistan came back to return the favor, Malan starred with the bat and scored 127 runs in the T20I series, while bashed an astonishing 70 in the solitary ODI game that he played. Later in 2021, the selectors rewarded Malan by picking him for the full-fledged tour of the West Indies. 

Malan will definitely look to cement his place in the South African squad in the coming future. But with the likes of Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram already in the crew, Malan has stiff competition for a spot. However, the problem of plenty at the top-order, is a good headache for the South African team management. 

(As of June 2021)