South Africa announce squad for Australia ODIs with future in focus
Faf du Plessis, who hasn’t played an ODI since the Proteas’ final ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 game in July, continues to be rested from the format. Rassie van der Dussen has also been left out, with the selectors opting instead for fresh faces in Kyle Verreyenne and Janneman Malan, both of whom are yet to play an ODI.
Test regular Keshav Maharaj, who made the last of his four ODI appearances in 2018, has also been called up for the three ODIs, set to be played in Paarl, Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom.
#BreakingNews @keshavmaharaj16 has been called up to the Proteas' ODI squad to take on Australia in the @Momentum_za ODI series played in Paarl, Bloem & Potch from 29 Feb to 06 March 2020. This is Maharaj's first call up to the ODI squad since 2018. #ProteaFire #SAvAUS#Thread pic.twitter.com/AKEGDz2NeN
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) February 26, 2020
“We are pleased to call up Keshav (Maharaj) who has done really well with the white ball over an extended period of time in the domestic franchise competitions of CSA," Independent selector Linda Zondi was quoted as saying in a press release. "His experience, the extra spin option he provides us as well as the added contributions he makes with the bat and with fielding will be welcomed additions to the team.”
Dwaine Pretorius has also been rested, with quick bowler Lutho Sipamla, who made his ODI debut against England earlier this month, being retained.
"Our focus is to send a message to everyone that the @T20WorldCup is in our backyard and we want to be a team to be beaten."
— ICC (@ICC) February 21, 2020
David Warner has underlined Australia's goal in South Africa.https://t.co/r3msrqcuiM
“With the completion of the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the next one being three years away from now, we always saw the series against England and Australia as an opportunity to play some fresh talent,” head coach Mark Boucher was quoted as saying. “If we feel that we need to rest players, we will, as we have done in the recent past.
“Faf (du Plessis) has been fantastic for us in white-ball cricket and remains very much in our ODI plans and we will manage his workload for the near future diligently,” he added.
“I would like to strengthen our depth pool right now and see what players we have out there. I feel that this is the time and opportunity to do so.”
Squad: Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Beuran Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Janneman Malan, JJ Smuts, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Verreyenne.