REWARD FOR BRILLIANT KUHN
South African heads uncapped trio for Test series
HEINO Kuhn’s two centuries on the South Africa A tour of England earned him a callup on Monday to the senior squad for their upcoming four Test series with England.
The 33-year-old batsman — who made centuries against Hampshire and then the England Lions — is one of three uncapped players along with Aiden Markram and Andile Phehlukwayo to be named at Test level.
“Heino Kuhn has shown outstanding form for South Africa A on their recent tour of England which included a double century in the four-day match against Hampshire and a further century against the England Lions,” CSA selection convener Linda Zondi said.
“He certainly deserved his place on consistent form.”
Established stars like batsman AB de Villiers and paceman Dale Steyn are unavailable for selection.
De Villiers is taking a break from Test cricket and Steyn hasn’t fully recovered from a shoulder problem which has kept him off the pitch since the end of last year.
The team will be captained by Faf du Plessis and there is plenty of batting experience with Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and Quinton de Kock as well as on the bowling side with Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander.
Kuhn has some international experience having played Twenty20 cricket for his country.
Phehlukwayo, 21, has played not only T20 for ‘The Proteas’ — including the just concluded 2-1 series loss to England — but also appeared in the one day series in England and the disappointing Champions Trophy campaign which saw the world ranked number one side fail to reach the semi-finals.
“Andile’s selection is a continuation of our drive to develop bowling all-rounders for the Test team,” Zondi explained.
“He and Chris Morris will fill this role in support of Vernon Philander. At the age of 21 he is certainly one for the future.”
Markram also impressed for South Africa A during their tour of England and will provide batting cover for du Plessis, who could miss the First Test at Lord’s as his wife is due to give birth in early July.
Should du Plessis have to return to South Africa he will be replaced as skipper by Dean Elgar.
Squad: Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Heino Kuhn, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Duanne Olivier, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.
Test schedule: 1st Test at Lord’s — July 6th; 2nd Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham — July 14th; 3rd Test at The Oval — July 27th; 4th Test at Old Trafford, Manchester — Aug 4th.