Imran Tahir has been rested for the Proteas ODI tour to Sri Lanka to help identify the country’s ‘second-best’ spinner ahead of the World Cup next year.
There are two new caps in Highveld Lions batsman Reeza Hendricks and Titans fast bowler Junior Dala, who have both represented the Proteas in the T20 format. Young Highveld Lions all-rounder Wiaan Mulder also returns to the squad after missing the previous series against India.
Fighting for the spinning honour will be the Titans’ Tabraiz Shamsi and Dolphins’ left-arm spinner Keshav Mashasraj, who has two ODI caps and has taken 103 List A wickets from 79 innnings.
He took 13 wickets from 11 innings in the last Momentum One-Day Cup series, at an average of 29.32 and an economy rate of 4.70.
Shamsi, who bowls a left-arm Chinaman, has seven wickets from seven ODIs and 104 List A wickets from 72 matches. He was the leading bowler in the Momentum One-Day Cup series this season, taking 26 wickets from nine innings at 14.8.
‘As far as the Proteas squad is concerned 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 the convener of selectors, Linda 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. [While] 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.’
The South Africa A squad for the triangular limited overs series against India A and Australia A on the sub-continent, as well a squad for two four-day ‘Tests’ were also named.
‘Both series are extremely important parts of Vision 2019 as we plan for next year’s ICC World Cup in England and Wales,’ said Zondi. ‘We will be facing extremely tough competition in the tri-series in India with both our opponents set to include quite a lot of seasoned international players. This series will be ideal to broaden our talent pool.’
First-time selections at SA A level are Hollywoodbets Dolphins batsman Sarel Erwee, bizhub Highveld Lions batsman Rassie van der Dussen and two young fast bowlers, Mthiwekhaya Nabe of the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras and Anrich Nortje of the Warriors.
Chris Morris could not be considered for any of the squads because of injury.
Standard Bank Proteas ODI squad: Faf du Plessis (Titans, capt), Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras), Junior Dala (Titans), Quinton de Kock (Titans), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Reeza Hendricks (Highveld Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Titans), David Miller (Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (Highveld Lions), Lungisani Ngidi (Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (Highveld Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans).
Proteas tour to Sri Lanka: 4 July: SA arrive in Sri Lanka; 7-8 July: Two-day practice match, P Sara Stadium, Colombo; 12-16 July: 1stTest match, Galle; 20-24 July: 2nd Test match, Colombo; 26 July: One-day warm-up match; 29 July: 1stODI, Dambulla (Day match); 1 Aug: 2nd ODI, Dambulla (D/N); 5 Aug: 3rd ODI, Kandy (day match); 8 Aug: 4th ODI, Kandy (D/N); 12 Aug: 5th ODI, Colombo (D/N); 14 Aug: T20 International, Colombo (D/N)
South Africa A one-day squad (to play in triangular against Australia A and India A):Khaya Zondo (Dolphins, capt), Temba Bavuma (Highveld Lions), Farhaan Behardien (Titans), Gihahn Cloete (Warriors), Theunis de Bruyn (Titans), Robbie Frylinck (Dolphins), Beuran Hendricks (Highveld Lions), Sisanda Magala (Warriors), Pieter Malan (Cape Cobras), Senuran Muthusamy (Dolphins), Dane Paterson (Cape Cobras), Rudi Second (Knights), Dwaine Pretorius (Highveld Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans), Malusi Siboto (bizhub Highveld Lions).
SA A squad (to play in four-day series against India A): Khaya Zondo (Dolphins, capt), Sarel Erwee (Dolphins), Zubayr Hamza (Cape Cobras), Beuran Hendricks (Highveld Lions), Pieter Malan (Cape Cobras), Senuran Muthusamy (Dolphins), Mthiwekhaya Nabe (Cape Cobras), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Duanne Olivier (Knights), Dane Piedt (Cape Cobras), Dwaine Pretorius (bizhub Highveld Lions), Rudi Second (Knights), Rassie van der Dussen (Highveld Lions), Malusi Siboto (Highveld Lions), Shaun von Berg (Titans).
Four-day Test series: 30 July 30-1 Aug: three-day practice match, Bangaluru; 4-7 Aug: 1st four-day Test match v India A, Bangaluru; 10-13 Aug: 2nd four-day Test match v India A, Bangaluru
Tri-series: 17 Aug: India A v Australia A, Vijayawada; 19 Aug: SA A v Australia A, Vijayawada; 21 Aug: SA A v India A, Vijayawada; 23 Aug: India A v Australia A, Vijayawada; 25 Aug: SA A v Australia A, Vijayawada; 27 Aug: SA A v India A, Vijayawada; 29 Aug: Final, Vijayawada.
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
