Proteas coach expects IPL stars to miss rescheduled playoffs ahead of WTC final

The IPL was suspended for one week due to the India-Pakistan conflict with fixtures now rescheduled and the final pushed back to 3 June instead of the original date which was 25 May.

The Proteas will depart for England on 30 May and will play a warm match against Zimbabwe on 3 June to prepare for the WTC final against Australia that will take place from 11 June at Lord's.

Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch (Mumbai Indians), Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans), Lungi Ngidi (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Tristan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals), Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants), Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings) and Wiaan Mulder (Sunrisers) are the eight IPL players selected in the Proteas squad for the WTC final.

Speaking at the squad announcement, Conrad said: "The initial agreement with IPL-BCCI was, with the final being on the 25th, our players would return on the 26th, so that it allows them ample time before we fly out on the 30th.

"That is the ongoing conversations that are being had between people in a higher pay grade than I am - the (CSA) director of cricket (Enoch Nkwe) and (CSA chief executive) Pholetsi (Moselki).

"They're dealing with that. We want our players back on the 26th and hopefully that comes to fruition."

Conrad also issued positive injury update on David Bedingham, saying the middle-order batter is close to a return to play after suffering a fracture to his toe while playing for England county side Durham last month.

Proteas squad for WTC final: Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne

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