Tsotsobe added to Proteas' Test squad
Cricket South Africa on Wednesday added fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe to the Castle Test squad for the first two matches of the series against Australia to be played at Liberty Life Wanderers Stadium from February 26 to March 2 and at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead from March 6 to 10.
For the rest the selectors have stuck with the 11 players who did duty in all three Test matches in Australia in the first half of the summer.
This means that JP Duminy, who stood in for Ashwell Prince 'down under' when the latter was injured retains his place.
“It was a difficult decision,” commented selection convener Mike Procter. “We are in the fortunate position of having seven world-class batsmen competing for six positions. It is a very healthy position for South African cricket.
“Ashwell is understandably bitterly disappointed but he appreciates that he has not had the opportunity to play much cricket since his injury.
“Tsotsobe performed very impressively from limited opportunities in Australia and he gives us extra bowling variety and depth.
“We are monitoring Mark Boucher's recovery from injury and we are confident that he will be fit to play by the time the series starts,” added Procter.
National coach Mickey Arthur commented: “The recent tour to Australia has demonstrated the depth that we have developed in both our batting and bowling departments and this augurs well for the Castle Test squad going forward into another tough series against Australia. There is also the No. 1 Reliance Mobile ICC Test ranking at stake which will make the upcoming series even more special for players and supporters.”
National team captain Graeme Smith commented: “The success of the Castle Test squad over the course of the past seven months in England and Australia has given us much to build on and we are all looking forward to getting back into the five-day game and the particular challenges that it poses. It will also be wonderful to be playing on our own grounds again in front of our own supporters.”
South African Castle Test squad: Graeme Smith (Nashua Cape Cobras, capt), Hashim Amla (Nashua Dolphins), Mark Boucher (Chevrolet Warriors), AB de Villiers (Nashua Titans), JP Duminy (Nashua Cape Cobras), Paul Harris (Nashua Titans), Jacques Kallis (Chevrolet Warriors), Neil McKenzie (bizhub Highveld Lions), Morne Morkel (Nashua Titans), Makhaya Ntini (Chevrolet Warriors), Dale Steyn (Nashua Titans), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Chevrolet Warriors).
