Proteas ready for an Australian test
Number one ranked cricket team in the world, the Proteas, will take on their toughest rivals in a three-test series in February.
JOHANNESBURG – Cricket South Africa has named their 15 players squad to take on Australia in the upcoming series on Wednesday January 29.
The national selectors have named a squad of 15 that sees the recall of Parnell and McLaren in the places of Jacques Kallis (retired) and Imran Tahir.
Coincidentally, both all-rounders made their debut in the same test match against England at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in 2010 – a match that the Proteas won by an innings and 74 runs in what amounted to little more than two days of actual playing time.
“We have two well-groomed all-rounders in the squad to combat the Australian team. We will decide from game to game who will play but each of them brings something to the team,” said head coach Russel Domingo.
“It is not much of a concern that Jacques Kallis is no longer in the team, as there were some of the mayor batsmen who surrounded him in the team and they are a very good batting unit.
“It is the first time that we will have ten days of preparations before the series starts. We will be doing some preparation, strategy planning for the first time on home ground.”
Asked about the young up-and-coming Quintin de Kock, who was omitted from the side, Domingo said, “He is a talented player and it will be tough on him to expose young blood so early in a tough test series. He still has a lot of development to make as a player.”
Andrew Hudson, CSA selection convener, said, “There is still two big tournaments which he can be part of this season.”
Regarding the ICC top three cricket playing countries, India, England and Australia’s proposal, Dr Mohamed Moosajee said, “We will have to give the ICC time to let the proposal unfold and can’t comment right now. Whatever their decision we will have to take responsibility. The board and its marketing will have to address the issue of spectators not attending the matches,” said Moossaje on the question of the non-attendance of cricket matches.
Proteas Castle Lager Test squad: Graeme Smith (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras, capt), Hashim Amla (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), AB de Villiers (The Unlimited Titans), JP Duminy (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Faf du Plessis (The Unlimited Titans), Dean Elgar (Chevrolet Knights), Rory Kleinveldt (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Ryan McLaren (Chevrolet Knights), Morne Morkel (The Unlimited Titans), Wayne Parnell (Chevrolet Warriors), Alviro Petersen (bizhub Highveld Lions), Robbie Peterson (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Vernon Philander (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Dale Steyn (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Thami Tsolekile (bizhub Highveld Lions).
AUSTRALIA TOUR FIXTURES
February 5-8: Australia v SA Invitation XI, Senwes Park, Potchefstroom
February 12-16: Sunfoil Test match, SuperSport Park, Centurion
February 20-24: Sunfoil Test match, Axxess St. George’s, Port Elizabeth
March 1-5: Sunfoil Test match, Sahara Park Newlands, Cape Town
March 9: KFC T20 International, Axxess St. George’s, Port Elizabeth (Day)
March 12: KFC T20 International, Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban (Day/Night)
March 14: KFC T20 International, SuperSport Park, Centurion (Day/Night)
