Surprise recall for Albie Morkel
JOHANNESBURG, Jan 8, 2012 (AFP) – Allrounder Albie Morkel received a surprise call-up to the South African oneday international squad on Sunday when Dean Elgar, the only uncapped player in the original squad to play against Sri Lanka, was ruled out by a knee injury.
The first of five one-day internationals will be played in Paarl on Wednesday. The squad is for the first two matches only.
Morkel, 30, has not played for South Africa since November 2010.
The selection of fellow left-armer Elgar, 24, was seen as an attempt to introduce new blood into the side following South Africa's failure in the 2011 Cricket World Cup and a defeat in a home one-day series against Australia earlier in the current season.
Elgar was injured during a domestic four-day match and it is feared he has suffered ligament damage which may require surgery.
Morkel scored a century and a fifty for the Titans franchise in a four-day match which ends on Sunday. He also took three wickets in the first innings.
Squads (following the change):
South Africa: AB de Villiers (capt, wkt), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, JP Duminy , Faf du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe