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Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Heinich Klaasen included in South Africa’s Test squad against New Zealand

Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander have been included in South Africa's Test squad against New Zealand.

Vernon Philander (left) and Morne Morkel earn much needed recall into the South African Test side against New Zealand © Getty Images
Vernon Philander (left) and Morne Morkel earn much needed recall into the South African Test side against New Zealand © Getty Images

Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander have been included in South Africa‘s Test squad against New Zealand. He was recovering from a life-threatening back injury. He has been out of the national team due to injury. Morkel is a fast bowler along with six others in the South African team. The other South African fast bowlers are Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier and all-rounders Wayne Parnell and Chris Morris. Vernon Philander who has just recovered from an ankle impingement, is now fully fit and ready to face the opposition. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: New Zealand vs South Africa, 3rd ODI at Wellington

In place of AB de Villiers, South Africa have selected Theunis de Bruyn and uncapped wicketkeeper Heinich Klaasen from Titans. Klaasen finished seventh on the batting charts in the Sunfoil Series first-class competition. AB de Villiers had opted out of Test cricket in most of 2016 cricket season citing his injuries.

Morke has played only one First-Class match since 2016 following his injury. He has only been playing in practice matches during South Africa’s tour of Australia in October-November. Last week, during the Momentum Cu, he appeared for Titans in the South Africa’s premier List A tournament. He bowled eight overs in the match against Dolphins. NZ vs SA, 3rd ODI, Preview: Fight of the equals

Cricket South Africa’s selection convener Linda Zondi looked happy at Morkel’s return to Test cricket and his fitness improvement. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Zondi said “Morne Morkel has worked hard on his fitness over the past few months and we believe he is now 100% fit and fully able to compete for his place in the team,” Zondi added. “We have six quality fast bowlers in the squad and that shows just how much of depth the country has in this department.”

Zondi further added that Klaasen has been called back because of his performance in Sunfoil Series and Dane Vilas’ unavailability following a Kolpak deal. 24-year-old Theunis de Bruyn will also be a part of South African Test squad. He was also a part of South African Test squad against Sri Lanka but was not included in the playing 11. De Bruyn also has the credit of the third-highest run-scorer in Sunfoil Series with 751 runs at an average of 57.76.

Klaasen has also been included in South African Test squad as he is in great form. In addition he was also one of the top performers throughout the season. As Dane Vilas is not available for selection, Klaasen got the opportunity to get selected in South African Test squad. This will be an excellent opportunity for Klaasen to prove his talent. The first Test between New Zealand and South Africa will be held between March 8 to March 12 2017 at University of Otago Oval, Dunedin.

South Africa Test squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Stephen Cook, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier, Theunis de Bruyn, Heinrich Klaasen, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris.

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