Published: Jun 18, 2018, 04:08 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 18, 2018, 04:08 PM (IST)
With less than a year for the ICC 2019 World Cup all teams are busy finding their best playing XI for the big event. AB de Villiers shocking retirement has made the job tougher for South African selectors. The board has announced squad for the Sri Lanka limited over series starting from July 18. The limited over series includes five ODIs and one T20I.
Chris Morris who sustained an injury during the Indian Premier League 2018 has been dropped from the squad for the same. Imran Tahir has also been rested from the squad to make place for Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj as the visitors want to identify the second best spinner in the team. Apart from experienced players missing we will see two new faces in the squad. Reeza Hendricks and Junior Dala have been called up to the one-day squad for the first time.
“We have taken the strategic decision to rest Imran Tahir so that we can get a clearer picture as to who our best second spinner is to back him up at the World Cup,” selection convenor Linda Zondi said. “Imran will be our first- choice spinner at the World Cup but, if we playhim against Sri Lanka, it is unlikely that we will be able to play both Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj.”
“By taking this route, we will be able to play the two of them together. Tabraiz has been the outstanding bowler in franchise white ball cricket this past season. Keshav has been outstanding for us in red ball cricket and we need to give him the opportunity to show us what he can do at international level in the ODI format.”
South Africa Squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Junior Dala, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram , David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungisani Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.
