Amla makes South Africa squad for World Cup

South Africa have named veteran Hashim Amla in their 15-man squad for the World Cup, but Reeza Hendricks and Chris Morris miss out.

The Proteas open the competition against hosts England at The Oval on 30 May, and will again be captained by Faf Du Plessis.

Quinton De Kock is the only specialist wicketkeeper included in the group,withbatsmandavid Miller as back-up, should he be needed behind the stumps.

Amla, 36, has been given the nod ahead of Hendricks, the 29-year-old having made his one-day international debut against Sri Lanka in August last year.

Morris, meanwhile, had been hoping to force his way into the squad following on from his performances with the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.

With some 174 ODI appearances, including 27 centuries, Amla, now set for a third World Cup, will bring plenty of experience.

After securing victories in their last five ODI series, South Africa are among those expected to make an impact in England this summer.

Cricket South Africa National Selection Panel convener Linda Zondi said there had been “no stone unturned” in deciding on the make-up of the squad.

“We feel that Faf’s team is well equipped to handle whatever conditions are presented to them, bearing in mind the weather extremes one can encounter in the British Isles,” Zondi added.

“As is well known, you need a good squad of 15 players to come out on top with the demanding fixtures list ahead of us rather than just a first XI, and I have been particularly encouraged by the depth of talent that has revealed itself to us during the selection process.”

SOUTH AFRICA WORLD CUP SQUAD: Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Quinton De Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie Van Der Dussen.