Boucher axed as South Africa make ODI changes
CRICKET: JOHANNESBURG, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher
was one of three players dropped on Friday when South Africa named their
squad for next month’s one-day internationals against Sri Lanka.
Boucher, 35, who holds the world record for most test dismissals (540),
batsman David Miller and leg-spinner Imran Tahir have paid the price for
the limited-overs series defeat at home to Australia in October.
Dean Elgar, a left-handed batsman and part-time spinner, and
all-rounder Rory Kleinveldt were called up as Cricket South Africa (CSA)
announced a 14-man squad for the first two games of January’s five-match
series against Sri Lanka.
Kleinveldt, 28, is in line for his ODI debut after two Twenty20
internationals while Elgar, 24, impressed in South Africa’s domestic
limited-overs competition.
The team will be led by wicketkeeper-batsman AB de Villiers for the
first time since he was appointed as ODI captain.
“Elgar fully deserves his opportunity,” CSA selection convener Andrew
Hudson said in a statement.
“He was the leading run-scorer in the (domestic) one-day cup and also
had the best average. In addition he gives us very useful bowling
options as a left-arm spinner.
“Kleinveldt played an important role with the ball in helping the
Cobras to win the one-day cup and he also has a lot of potential as a
lower-order power hitter.”
The first game of the series takes place in Paarl on Jan. 11 with the
final match scheduled for Jan. 22 in Johannesburg.
South Africa squad: Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers
(captain), JP Duminy, Francois du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Jacques Kallis,
Rory Kleinveldt, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Graeme
Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
South Africa ODI squad
CRICKET: JOHANNESBURG, Dec 31 (AFP) - South Africa included uncapped
batsman Dean Elgar and seamer Rory Kleinveldt in a 14-man squad named
Friday for the five-ODI series against touring Sri Lanka during January:
AB de Villiers (capt/wkt), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, J.P. Duminy, Faf
du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Jacques Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Morne Morkel,
Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo
Tsotsobe.
Dates: Jan 11: Paarl, Jan 14: East London, Jan 17:
Bloemfontein, Jan 20: Kimberley, Jan 22: Johannesburg. |