De Kock out, Tahir in as test squad named

SELECTION convener Linda Zondi gave cricket-minded South Africans plenty to think about yesterday when he announced the squad for SA’s test series in India in November and December.

The squad, as well as those named for the five one-day internationals and three Twenty20s, consists of 15 players.

Seven members of the test squad are of colour, as are six ODI players and seven of those selected for the T20s.

So, the goal of squads that are 50% black was not reached.

Quinton de Kock had scored two half-centuries in his last 18 innings for SA across all formats.

He was axed for the second test in Bangladesh in July and sent on SA’s tour to India, where he blitzed three centuries in five innings.

However, that was only good enough to get him into the ODI and T20 squads.

Zoni said: “We are optimistic he will get back to the test side; that’s why we brought him back for the T20s and ODIs.”

That means Dane Vilas gets another chance to impress after the monsoon limited his test debut, in Bangladesh, to 88.1 overs behind the stumps and none in front of them.

“It’s important for us as a new selection panel to make sure we are consistent and that’s the reason for Dane Vilas being included,” he said.

Tahir has taken one five-wicket haul in his 16 tests and has not played in any of SA’s three matches in the format this year.

But he has become SA’s premier spinner in the shorter formats and is ranked second among ODI bowlers.

However, there his name was in the test squad yesterday; along with those of Dane Piedt and Simon Harmer.

“To go with three spinners is vital. The captain and the coach have enough options.

“We’ve also got Imran, who is an attacking spinner.”

Faf Du Plessis’ worrisome knee has responded slower than expected, according to team manager Mohammed Moosajee.

SA squad: Test: Hashim Amla (captain), Temba Bavuma, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Simon Harmer, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Vilas.

ODI squad: AB de Villiers (captain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn.

T20 squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Marchant de Lange, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Eddie Leie, David Miller, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, David Wiese, Khaya Zondo.