JOHANNESBURG: Reeza Hendricks, the top-order batsman, and Junior Dala, the paceman, are the uncapped players in the South Africa squad for the upcoming series of five one-day international matches and one Twenty20 International in Sri Lanka.
According to ICC, Wiaan Mulder, the 20-year-old pace-bowling all-rounder who played one ODI in October 2017 against Bangladesh, also earned a recall.
South Africa named the side, as well as an ‘A’ side to tour India, with an eye on the future as part of Cricket South Africa’s Vision 2019.
“Both series are extremely important parts of Vision 2019 as we plan for next year’s ICC World Cup in England and Wales,” said Linda Zondi, the Cricket South Africa National Selection Panel Convener. “We will be facing extremely tough competition in the tri-series in India (Australia are the third team) with both our opponents set to include quite a lot of seasoned international players. This series will be ideal to broaden our talent pool.”
Among those left out of the ODI squad is Imran Tahir, South Africa’s No.1 ODI spinner. Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi are the two frontline spinners in the 15-man party.
“We have taken the strategic decision to rest Imran Tahir so that we can get a clearer picture as to who our best second spinner is to back him up at the World Cup,” said Zondi. “Imran will be our first-choice spinner at the World Cup but, if we play him against Sri Lanka, it is unlikely that we will be able to play both Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj.
“By taking this route, we will be able to play the two of them together. Tabraiz has been the outstanding bowler in franchise white-ball cricket this past season. Keshav has been outstanding for us in red-ball cricket and we need to give him the opportunity to show us what he can do at international level in the ODI format.”
Another big name to miss out was Chris Morris, who wasn’t considered for selection because of injury.
The selectors also named the ‘A’ squad for the two four-day Test matches against India A. The first-timers in that squad are batsmen Sarel Erwee and Rassie van der Dussen, and fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Mthiwekhaya Nabe.
South Africa ODI & T20I squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Junior Dala, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi
South Africa A one-day squad: Khaya Zondo (c), Temba Bavuma, Farhaan Behardien, Gihahn Cloete, Theunis de Bruyn, Robbie Frylinck, Beuran Hendricks, Sisanda Magala, Pieter Malan, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Rudi Second, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi, Malusi Siboto
South Africa A four-day squad: Khaya Zondo (c), Sarel Erwee, Zubayr Hamza, Beuran Hendricks, Pieter Malan, Senuran Muthusamy, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Anrich Nortje, Duanne Olivier, Dane Piedt, Dwaine Pretorius, Rudi Second, Rassie van der Dussen, Malusi Siboto, Shaun von Berg
