Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla will return to South Africa's
squad for the remaining ODIs against Sri Lanka, while JP Duminy is also in line
to play his first international cricket for four-and-a-half months as South
Africa look to put the finishing touches to their squad ahead of the World Cup.
Weight of runs has forced Markram back into contention after
he was left out of the first three games, with his outstanding recent form
including back-to-back centuries that have helped propel Titans to the top spot
on the Momentum One-Day Cup table.
13.5pt;">Squad for last two ODIs
Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Quinton de
Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi,
Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz
Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen.
Reeza Hendricks and Wiaan Mulder are the two players from
the original squad who will sit the next two games out, with the group growing
from 14 to 15 for the ODIs in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
Captain Faf du Plessis welcomed the return of experienced
hands Amla and Duminy, who has made a successful comeback for Cape Cobras after
being out of action following shoulder surgery.
"We've spoken about the balance we'd like, and when you
add JP to that you only need five overs from him and your allrounder," du
Plessis explained. "It's a real good balance that he brings to the table.
Obviously, his experience is amazing. The most important thing from JP's point
of view is that he got over his injury. So it's great that he got runs, but
that was the concern from us, just from the leadership group that he goes and
plays two games, gets back into cricket. Because we know when he's back what he
brings to the team from a performance point of view. So good that he comes back
into the next two games with some nice form.
"The
main concern for me with all the players is that you need make sure you put
performances on the board to go to the World Cup"
FAF DU
PLESSIS
"We know what Hash has got," du Plessis added.
"Hash has played a lot of cricket for South Africa. He's got an amazing
record. But we needed to make sure Reeza got an opportunity this series. If
Hash gets another opportunity coming back into the side, hopefully he grabs
that with both hands.
"The main concern for me with all the players is that
you need make sure you put performances on the board to go to the World Cup.
It's about our best and most in-form team that's going. Everyone in the
dressing room knows that, and I believe it's making us want to raise the bar on
our own performance."
Du Plessis' sentiments were echoed by national selection
panel convener Linda Zondi. "Experience is always a key factor in major
tournaments such as the ICC Men's World Cup," he said. "It is great
to see how well JP has regained his best form after being out of action for so
long.
"What has also been highly encouraging is see how well
the Proteas have played when they have returned to franchise cricket. It is
important that they should dominate at this level and that their skills should
rub off on our emerging talent. JP, Aiden and Dwaine Pretorius have all made
significant contributions to their franchises in recent matches. "We will
use the final two matches in the ODI series to continue to examine all the
options that are available to us as far as the World Cup squad is
concerned."
Du Plessis added that Dale Steyn, who has been a part of the
one-day squad for the series but is yet to play a match, is understanding of
the need to field test new players such as fast bowler Anrich Nortje.
"Dale understands. Anrich needs to play some games.
That is a position that's still needs to be selected. As far as Dale in
concerned, he's going to the World Cup. So we need to make sure who is our next
fast bowler, and if we want to take a next fast bowler," du Plessis said.
"So we want to give Anrich as much opportunity as
possible. He'll definitely get another opportunity out of the next game, and
then hopefully Dale in one of the other games."
Du Plessis denied that Steyn's absence had anything to do
with managing the paceman's workload to keep him fresh for the World Cup.
"No, because he's not going to play a lot of cricket," the captain
explained. "He's not going to the IPL. So for now his workload can
continue, he can keep bowling in the nets. There was a thought of releasing him
to go and play in the Titans, but the Titans are playing well and the balance
of their side is probably going to stay the same, so we thought best just to
keep training with us. He will get one game out of the next two."
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