There was no place for experienced wicketkeeper Mark Boucher in the South African squad announced for the ICC Cricket World Cup on the Asian sub-continent starting next month.
This was one of the few surprises made at the squad announcement on Tuesday after the Proteas’ second successive defeat against India in the one-day international series.
The others included the selection of Imran Tahir who is yet to play for South Africa and Faf du Plessis, who made his successful debut at Sahara Park Newlands yesterday.
Morne van Wyk has been chosen as South Africa’s second wicket keeper to AB de Villiers, leaving no space for Boucher.
Much to the delight of South African fans, Chevrolet Warriors batsman, Jacques Kallis has been included in the squad.
He missed the current ODI series with a side strain and bruised rib injury he picked up during the Test series.
“CSA’s Medical Committee are happy with Kallis’ progress and he will be ready to play a full role with both bat and ball from the start of the tournament,” said selection convener Andrew Hudson.
DuPlessis was impressive with his 60 runs off 94 balls.
“I am very happy with Faf du Plessis’ debut and form. He gives us a leg spinning option and is an outstanding fielder. The squad consists of seven specialist batsmen, three specialist spin bowlers and four specialist seamers, with Morne van Wyk providing wicketkeeping cover as well as an extra top order batting option,” said Hudson.
The South African selectors are not overly concerned about Tahir’s lack of experience on the international stage.
“The selection of three specialist spin bowlers is essential for the conditions we expect to encounter at the World Cup and it is not a worry that Tahir has not played an ODI yet. The conditions in South Africa have been more suited to seam bowling and his record in domestic cricket both in South Africa and England speaks for itself. We know exactly what he offers us,” added Hudson.
World Cup squads:
South African squad: Graeme Smith (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras, Captain), Hashim Amla (Nashua Dolphins), Johan Botha (Chevrolet Warriors), AB de Villiers (Nashua Titans), JP Duminy (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Nashua Titans), Colin Ingram (Chevrolet Warriors), Jacques Kallis (Chevrolet Warriors), Morne Morkel (Nashua Titans), Wayne Parnell (Chevrolet Warriors), Robbie Peterson (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Dale Steyn (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Imran Tahir (Nashua Dolphins), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Chevrolet Warriors) and Morne van Wyk (Chevrolet Knights)
(Doesn’t it make you feel proud to see FIVE Chevrolet Warriors players in the national team?)
Let our local players know how proud you are and send them your best wishes in the comments section below. (I am sure that Leigh will pass them on!)
Indian squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain) Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel, Ashish Nehra.
Pakistan squad: Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanveer, Ahmed Shahzad. (No captain announced)
Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Dough Bollinger, Brad Haddin, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Cameron White
Netherlands squad: Peter Borren (captain), Wesley Baressi (wk), Mudassar Bukhari, Atse Buurman (wk), Tom Cooper, Tom de Grooth, Alexei Kervezee, Bradley Kruger, Bernard Loots, Adeel Raja, Pieter Seelaar, Eric Swarczynski, Ryan ten Doeschate, Berend Westdijk, Bas Zuiderent
New Zealand squad: Daniel Vettori (captain), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor
Sri Lankan squad: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Mahela Jayawardene (vice-capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dilhara Fernando, Rangana Herath. Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan, Thisara Perera, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Upul Tharanga. – BuaNews
Alan Straton
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