CAPE TOWN —
South Africa will be without limited-over stalwarts Hashim Amla and JP Duminy for its white-ball tour of Australia next month but welcome back all-rounder Chris Morris from injury.
Amla and Duminy have been sidelined along with 20-year-old all-rounder Wiaan Mulder as South Africa juggle a number of injury concerns.
Morris had been a regular in the limited-overs side before missing series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in 2018, and is likely to play a key role Down Under.
Also returning to the squad are all-rounders Farhaan Behardien and Dwaine Pretorius, while veteran seamer Dale Steyn has been included after he made a successful return to international action in the recent series against Zimbabwe.
Steyn made a successful return to one-day international cricket in the recent series against Zimbabwe after a two-year absence, largely caused by injuries.
“Chris confirmed his fitness with his excellent form for the Titans in the first two rounds of the 4-Day Domestic Series,” Cricket South Africa (CSA) National Selection Panel (NSP) convener Linda Zondi said in a statement Wednesday.
“He is the leading wicket-taker in this competition to date and also adds value as a batting option in the lower-order.
“With Wiaan Mulder ruled out at the moment through injury we need to look at our resources as far as batting all-rounder options are concerned and Dwaine, in particular, fits into this category.
“We have also lost a lot of experience in our specialist batting order through the injuries to Hashim Amla and JP Duminy, and Farhaan gives us another experienced option in the top order.”
South Africa will play three One-Day Internationals, starting in Perth on Nov. 4, followed by a one-off Twenty20 International on the Gold Coast on Nov. 17.
Squad:
Faf du Plessis (captain), Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungisani Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi and Dale Steyn.
UAE to face Australia
in one-off T20 match
The United Arab Emirates will take on Australia in a one-off Twenty20 International in Abu Dhabi Monday, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) announced Wednesday.
The contest, which has been granted official status by the International Cricket Council (ICC), will serve as a warm-up for the visiting Australians ahead of their three-match T20 series against Pakistan which begins on Oct. 24.
Australia and Pakistan are currently playing the second match of a two-test series in the UAE, with Tim Paine’s side seeking its first series win in Asia since 2011 after a battling draw in the last match.
“This match will provide an exceptionally good test for our players,” ECB chief selector Waleed Bukhatir said.
“We need them to be put under pressure and for them to focus more intently by being challenged by higher ranked, leading teams within our game.
“To do so it is vitally important for the full member countries and the ICC to support and provide the associates with such opportunities. We’re extremely thankful to the ICC, Cricket Australia and the Pakistan Cricket Board.”
ECB said entry for the match at Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium (Oval 1) would be free for spectators.
Top order batsman Aaron Finch was named Australia captain for the T20 series against Pakistan. The second and third games of the series will be played in Dubai on Oct. 26 and 28. — Agencies
