Cape Town - Proteas fast bowler Marchant de Lange will get his first taste of the English Duke cricket ball during the Proteas' tour to Zimbabwe, reports Volksblad.

South Africa, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh will compete in an unofficial Twenty20 tri-series in Harare, starting next Monday.

De Lange has never bowled with the Duke ball, which will be used on the Proteas' tour to England in July.

"I've never bowled with it before. It will also be my first time in England," De Lange confirmed.

Proteas bowling coach Allan Donald requested the use of some of the Duke balls for their week-long trip to Zimbabwe.

Dale Steyn, Morné Morkel and Vernon Philander are not travelling to Zimbabwe, but Donald confirmed De Lange will practice with the red Duke ball in the nets with the England Test series in mind.

The 21-year-old quickie is expected to be named in the Proteas' Test squad for the England series on Wednesday.

De Lange is likely be the back-up bowler in case Steyn, Morkel or Philander gets injured.

Proteas’ T20 squad for the tri-series in Zimbabwe:

Johan Botha (Warriors, captain), Hashim Amla (Dolphins), Farhaan Behardien (Titans), Marchant de Lange (Titans), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Colin Ingram (Warriors), Richard Levi (Cape Cobras), Albie Morkel (Titans), Chris Morris (Highveld Lions), Justin Ontong (Cape Cobras), Wayne Parnell (Warriors), Robin Peterson (Cape Cobras), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Warriors), Dane Vilas (Cape Cobras)