Hendricks, Dala given a chance to impress on Sri Lanka tour

TWO NEW CAPS – Highveld Lions batsman Reeze Hendricks and Titans fast bowler Junior Dala – have been included in the South African ODI squad for the upcoming series in Sri Lanka.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) also named the South Africa ‘A’ squad for the triangular limited overs series against India ‘A’ and Australia ‘A’ on the sub-continent.

“Both series are extremely important parts of Vision 2019 as we plan for next year’s ICC World Cup in England and Wales,” commented CSA National Selection Panel (NSP) convener Linda Zondi.

“We will be facing extremely tough competition in the tri-series in India with both our opponents set to include quite a lot of seasoned international players.

“This series will be ideal to broaden our talent pool.

“As far as the Proteas squad is concerned we have taken the strategic decision to rest Imran Tahir so that we can get a clearer picture as to who our best second spinner is to back him up at the World Cup,” explained Zondi.

“Imran will be our first- choice spinner at the World Cup but, if we play him against Sri Lanka, it is unlikely we will be able to play both Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj.

“By taking this route, we will be able to play the two of them together. Tabraiz has been the outstanding bowler in franchise white ball cricket this past season.

“Keshav has been outstanding for us in red ball cricket and we need to give him the opportunity to show us what he can do at international level in the ODI format.”

Both Hendricks and Dala have represented the Proteas in the T20 format. Young Lions all-rounder Wiaan Mulder also returns to the squad after missing the previous series against India.

The ODI squad will also do duty in the one-off T20 International match against Sri Lanka.

In addition to the tri-series squad the selectors have also named the South Africa A squad for the two fourday Test matches against India A.

First-time selections at SA ‘A’ level are Dolphins batsman Sarel Erwee, Lions batsman Rassie van der Dussen and two young fast bowlers, Mthiwekhaya Nabe of the Cobras and Anrich Nortje of the Warriors.

Chris Morris could not be considered for any of the squads because of injury.

Proteas ODI squad: Faf du Plessis (Titans, capt), Hashim Amla (Cobras), Junior Dala (Titans), Quinton de Kock (Titans), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Reeza Hendricks (Highveld Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Titans), David Miller (Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (Highveld Lions), Lungisani Ngidi (Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (Highveld Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans).