The South African selectors, on Monday, announced AB De Villiers sans 16 member squad for the three Test matches against Australia which starts next month. The selectors have given a maiden call to Rilee Rossouw, Tabrez Shamsi, and spinner Keshav Maharaj. Rossouw and Shamsi have a taste of international cricket whereas Maharaj is yet to make an appearance in international cricket.
“Shamsi has made huge progress over the course of the last year in the longer format, he took 41 wickets at an average of less than 20 in seven matches in last season’s Sunfoil Series and he certainly offers something different as an attacking spinner.
“Maharaj is also right on top of his game. He took 13 wickets in the Sunfoil Series match at the weekend and also made a run-a-ball 72” said CSA selection convener Linda Zondi. ”
“Basically, we are following horses for courses policy as we feel that spinners who turn the ball away from the right-hander are going to be particularly useful under Australian conditions and against the Test batsmen we are likely to face.
“I am excited about the cover we have in this area with a wrist spinner and a left-arm orthodox spinner with JP Duminy able to offer the right-arm variety as well.
“Rilee Rossouw has earned his batting place also with good form in last season’s Sunfoil Series and he is also on top of his game at the moment” Zondi concludes.
Faf Du Plessis, the Stand-in captain for ODI series has been handed the captaincy in absence of AB De Villiers who will stay away from the game for at least 3 months. Though he showed a desire to participate in the third and final pink ball Test match but selectors have decided not to take any risk, thus, he has not been selected for the tour.
The squad also includes regulars Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn. Quinton De Kock is again chosen as the specialist wicket keeper with Dane Vilas being selected as the second wicket keeping choice. Dean Elgar also makes a comeback in the squad.
A 16-member squad of RSA: Faf du Plessis (capt), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Stephen Cook, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Dane Vilas.