Proteas fringe players get big chance to shine

FRINGE Proteas players will have another opportunity to knock harder on the national team’s door when South Africa A host their India and Afghanistan counterparts in the ODI triangular series.

The tournament starts in Pretoria today with South Africa A‚ to be captained by Khaya Zondo‚ taking on India A at the Groenkloof Oval in what is expected to be an evenly contested match-up.

Though the tournament is expected to fly under the radar‚ South Africa A coach Shukri Conrad has urged his players to grab the opportunity as the national selectors will observe proceedings.

“There is no motivation needed for the players at this level because this is a chance for them to be noticed by the Proteas selectors‚” Conrad said.

“We are playing for our country and they must also be motivated to do better than our recent tour to England and get things right.”

“These A tours can be a very difficult space to operate in because guys often have one eye on playing for the senior national team.

“But they must focus on the job at hand. The big thing for me is to play some front foot cricket‚ play an attacking brand of cricket and not to take a backward step.”

The South African team boasts experienced players like Farhaan Berhadien‚ Aaron Phangiso‚ Tabraiz Shamsi‚ Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius, Henry Davids and Jon-Jon Smuts.

The SA squad is: Khaya Zondo (Dolphins‚ capt)‚ Farhaan Behardien (Titans)‚ Junior Dala (Titans)‚ Henry Davids (Titans)‚ Beuran Hendricks (Lions)‚ Reeza Hendricks (Lions)‚ Heinrich Klaasen (Titans)‚ Mangaliso Mosehle (Lions)‚ Wiaan Mulder (Lions)‚ Dane Paterson (Cobras)‚ Aaron Phangiso (Lions)‚ Dwaine Pretorius (Lions)‚ Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans)‚ Jason Smith (Cobras)‚ Jon-Jon Smuts (Warriors)