AB will be big drawcard at St George’s
PORT Elizabeth cricket fans will get to see AB de Villiers back in action as he returns to captain the Proteas in the opening one-dayer against Sri Lanka at St George’s Park on Saturday.
De Villiers returns along with Chris Morris after both missed the 5-0 series drubbing against Australia last year.
Saturday will be the first time the duo will be back in action in this format of the game since the tri-series against the West Indies and Australia almost a year ago.
Leading strike bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel were not considered because of injury, while fellow speedster Lungi Ngidi is in line to win his first cap in this format.
“We have chosen this squad for the first three games only,” Cricket SA selection convener Linda Zondi said.
“It is wonderful to have AB back available both as player and leader.
“We are entering a very important phase of our preparation for the Champions Trophy in England as we only have 10 games left – the five here against Sri Lanka and another five in New Zealand.
“The ODI squad is in a very good space at the moment after the clean sweep over Australia, but Sri Lanka will pose another stiff challenge.
“Ngidi has been rewarded for his excellent form in the current T20 series and we are keen to see how he goes in the 50over format.
“He has not only impressed with the wickets he has taken and the skills he has displayed, but with the energy and intensity he has brought to his game as well,” Zondi said.
The ODI squad is: AB de Villiers (capt, Titans), Hashim Amla (Cobras), Farhaan Behardien (Titans), Quinton de Kock (Titans), JP Duminy (Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Imran Tahir (Dolphins), David Miller (Knights), Chris Morris (Titans), Wayne Parnell (Cobras), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Dolphins), Dwaine Pretorius (Lions), Kagiso Rabada (Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans)
The ODI fixtures are: Saturday: 1st ODI, St George’s Park, 10am Wednesday, February 1: 2nd ODI, Kingsmead, 1.30pm Saturday, February 4: 3rd ODI, Wanderers, 1.30pm Tuesday, February 7: 4th ODI, Newlands, 1.30pm Friday, February 10: 5th ODI, Centurion, 1.30pm