Cricket South Africa name T20 and Test squads for New Zealand series – Cricket News Update – Part II
Continued in Part I...
Cricket South Africa selectors have kept faith in the Test team that crushed Australia by 309 runs in Perth earlier this month in naming a 13-man squad for the home series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 early next year.
The XI from the series-clinching WACA victory are joined by Jacques Rudolph and Rory Kleinveldt, while leg-spinner Imran Tahir has been left out. Tahir featured in only one match at Adelaide on the victorious tour of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, but failed to impress, returning wicketless in his expensive 37 overs which went for 260 runs.
Slow left-arm orthodox bowler Robin Peterson, who staked his claims by picking up six wickets in Perth, has been offered another opportunity to take the role of South Africa’s premier spinner.
"I don't think anybody will be surprised that we have kept faith with the 11 players who did duty in the winning Test match against Australia at Perth as well as Rory Kleinveldt and Jacques Rudolph, who played two Test matches each," said selection convener http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Charles-Hudson-c44308 after announcing the squads in Cape Town today.
"It was a tough call to leave out http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 Tahir but we have to acknowledge that Robin Peterson put up an outstanding performance at Perth where he made a significant contribution to our victory. Imran remains very much in our plans going forward," he went on to add.
Veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who along with Hashim Amla has been rested for the preceding three-T20 series against the same opposition, is nursing a hamstring injury. But Hudson was confident of his timely recovery.
"There is every indication at this stage that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JH-Kallis-c1692 will be fully fit to fill his all-rounder's role," said the CSA convenor of selection.
Another injury concern for the Proteas is skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757’s domestic one-day tournament’s playoff. However, the team management is confident the regular Test skipper will be ready for the New Year’s Test.
The three T20s between South Africa and New Zealand will be played in Durban (December 21), East London (December 23) and Port Elizabeth (December 26). While the following two Tests will be hosted by Cape Town (January 2-6) and Port Elizabeth (January 11-15).
Twenty20 squad: Faf du Plessis (capt), Farhaan Berhadien, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LL-Tsotsobe-c1842.
Test squad: Graeme Smith (capt), http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DW-Steyn-c1409.
Tags: