Proteas to rest Kallis for one-dayers against NZ

South Africa rested veteran allrounder Jacques Kallis and called up four uncapped players yesterday for the one-day series against New Zealand this month.

The Proteas also brought allrounder Ryan McLaren into their test squad as cover for fast bowler Vernon Philander, who tweaked a troublesome hamstring in the series opener.

Philander is doubtful for the second test against the Black Caps in Port Elizabeth, starting on Friday.

Kallis, 37, spoke during the first test of his desire to manage his ODI appearances to make the 2015 World Cup.

Selectors responded by giving him the three-game ODI series off. Kallis also missed the two Twenty20 games at the start of New Zealand’s tour.

Without Kallis, wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, spinner Aaron Phangiso, batsman Farhaan Behardien and seam bowler Rory Kleinveldt were included in a 14-man squad for the limited-overs series, which begins in Paarl on January 19. All four have played T20 games for South Africa, while Kleinveldt made his test debut in Australia last year.

J P Duminy is unavailable after rupturing his left Achilles tendon in the test series in Australia.

However, head selector Andrew Hudson said he ‘‘should’’ be fit for the Champions Trophy.

Left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe returned to the squad after missing the T20s because of injury.

South Africa have ODIs against New Zealand and five against Pakistan before the Champions Trophy in England in June.