<p><strong>Jacques Rudolph returns to South African squad after five years – Cricket News Update</strong></p>
<p>Announcing the 14-memeber squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Australia, the South African national selectors have recalled the opening batsman, Jacques Rudolph, who played his last 5-day match in 2006.</p>
<p>Along with the 32-year-old opener, the attacking leg-spinner, Imran Tahir and all-rounder, Vernon Philander, have been included into the Test arena for the forthcoming series, starting with the first Test at Cape Town from November 9, 2011.</p>
<p>Graeme Smith will lead the squad while AB de Villiers, who missed the limited-over clash against the Aussies due to injury, is going to shoulder his responsibilities as vice-captain if he regains his fitness before the start of the battle.</p>
<p>Rudolph’s comeback came in the wake of his excellent performance in the ongoing domestic competition in South Africa. During the last three matches, the left-handed batsman amassed 568 runs including a couple of tons and two half-centuries.</p>
<p>In his latest outing, he smashed a great double-hundred and guided the Titans to an empathic 243-run win against the Lions in a four-day match, ending on October 16, 2011.</p>
<p>On Rudolph’s return to the national setup, the selection convener, Andrew Hudson, said that since the team has been undergoing a rebuilding process after ICC World Cup 2011, the inclusion of the experienced player like Rudolph will be handy for the Proteas.</p>
<p>"His experience and current form make him an asset to South Africa and at the age of 30 he has plenty of good years of cricket ahead of him. Jacques has underlined once again the importance of good domestic form and the fact that it is the gateway to national
selection," Hudson said.</p>
<p>Talking about South Africa’s future plans, the head of South African selection panel shared that the cricket administration have been observing young cricketers keenly at the junior level and will bring them up at the International stage when required.</p>
<p>"We have identified as having the potential for the future and whom we now need to test at a higher level than franchise cricket. We have to explore our options for the future," added the former South African cricketer who served his country in 35 Tests
and 89 One-dayers.</p>
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