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Proteas call up Kleinveldt

Cape Town - Rory Kleinveldt , uncapped at Test match level, has been included in the Proteas' Test squad for their three-match series in Australia next month.

The Cape Cobras all-rounder has represented the Proteas in two T20 International matches and would have made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka earlier this year, but for injury.

The series ranks the No 1 ranked Proteas against third-ranked Australia with the three Test matches due to be played in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

“We have given a fully deserved vote of confidence to our Test XI that did so well on the recent tour of England and we have just tweaked our reserve strength slightly to suit expected conditions and the tactical situation,” commented CSA selection convener Andrew Hudson.

“It is tough luck for Lopsy (Lonwabo Tsotsobe) to miss out but we just feel that Rory’s ability to hit the deck hard will give us a valuable option, particularly at Brisbane and Perth. He also adds batting depth to the lower order.

“The fact that he finished second on last season’s four-day bowling averages behind only Vernon Philander speaks for itself and he continued his form for the South Africa 'A 'side at home to Sri Lanka and away in Ireland.

“We have gone for Faf du Plessis, who joined the Test squad in England during the series, as the reserve batsman because he will give us cover in the middle-order positions. We already have Jacques Rudolph to cover the top of the order if necessary.

“Thami Tsolekile will again be our back-up wicketkeeper and provide cover for AB in the event of injury or if the tour selectors decide to lighten his workload.

“Robbie Peterson’s selection as second spinner speaks for itself. His form has been outstanding across all the formats in recent times.

“Marchant de Lange was not considered because of injury. He needs to get back into three-day and four-day cricket to come back into the picture,” concluded Hudson.

The Proteas will leave for Australia on October 27 and any players still involved in the Champions League Twenty20 will join them as soon as their commitments to that tournament are complete.

Proteas squad:


Graeme Smith (Cape Cobras, captain), Hashim Amla (Dolphins), AB de Villiers (Titans), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Imran Tahir ( Highveld Lions), Jacques Kallis (Cape Cobras), Rory Kleinveldt (Cape Cobras), Morné Morkel (Titans), Alviro Petersen (Highveld Lions), Robin Peterson (Cape Cobras), Vernon Philander (Cape Cobras), Jacques Rudolph (Titans), Dale Steyn (Cape Cobras), Thami Tsolekile (Highveld Lions).
 
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