JOHANNESBURG — Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was Wednesday included in South Africa’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy Tournament in England in June.
Maharaj, who made a successful debut for South Africa during the recent Test season, is the only player in the 15-man squad who has not played in a One-Day International.
The same squad will represent South Africa in three one-day internationals against England, starting in Leeds on May 24, ahead of the Champions Trophy. South Africa’s first match in the ICC event is against Sri Lanka at the Oval on June 3.
Fast bowler Morne Morkel returns to the one-day side after an injury-enforced break and will be part of a strong fast bowling attack which also includes Kagiso Rabada, Wayne Parnell, Chris Morris, Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo.
Dale Steyn was not considered because he is still recovering from a shoulder injury. But Steyn was included in a South Africa A squad which will play two four-day county matches and a four-day match against England Lions in June.
With South Africa playing an away Test series against England in July and August, the A tour will give Steyn a chance to make a claim to regain his place in the Test squad.
The South Africa A squad will be captained by former South Africa Under 19 captain Aiden Markram, 22, who will be a candidate for an opening batsman berth in the Test series.
The A team includes current or recent Test squad members in Theunis de Bruyn, Temba Bavuma, Dwaine Pretorius, Heinrich Klaasen and Dane Piedt.
Selection convener Linda Zondi said he believed South Africa had picked a squad for all likely conditions during the Champions Trophy.
He said of Maharaj: “Keshav has had an exceptional debut season for the Test side and his inclusion gives us a spinner with different skills and extra batting depth.”
The inclusion of orthodox spinner Maharaj meant there was no place for left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, who was part of a squad which won a one-day series in New Zealand recently.
South African one-day squad: AB de Villiers (captain), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius and Kagiso Rabada.
Gayle first to hit 10,000 Twenty20 runs
Chris Gayle has become the first batsman to accumulate 10,000 Twenty20 runs, going past the milestone during a match-winning blitz in the Indian Premier League.
Swashbuckling West Indian Gayle, 37, who plies his trade across the world’s Twenty20 leagues, smashed 77 off 38 balls with five fours and seven sixes to lead Royal Challengers Bangalore to a 21-run win over Gujarat Lions in Rajkot Tuesday.
Gayle’s nearest rival New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum, who top scored for Gujarat with 72, has more than 7,500 runs in the shortest format.
The self-proclaimed “Universe Boss” has scored 7,534 runs in fours and sixes in his domestic Twenty20 career including 18 centuries and 61 fifties.
The burly left-hander from Jamaica thanked his fans on social media.
“Big Thank You to the fans for the love and support over the years! Many more entertainment to come! #10000CG #Champion #KingGayle,” Gayle tweeted.
Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya, who was arrested and later granted bail in London Tuesday for alleged fraud, also congratulated Gayle on Twitter.
Gayle replied with a “Thanks Big Boss” message for his team’s former owner who stepped down from the post of franchise director last year.
Gayle last played a Twenty20 international in April last year after an alleged pay dispute led to a fallout with the West Indies cricket Board. — Agencies
