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Mthokozisi Shezi will also make his ODI debut as one of the replacements for senior fast bowlers being rested.
“Rilee is coming off a very impressive South Africa A series in Australia in which he scored 337 runs at an average of 48 with a strike rate of 96,” commented Cricket South Africa (CSA) selection convener, Andrew Hudson. “He has also been a consistent performer in franchise cricket for some time and his selection is well deserved.
“The message is clear to all our players: if you perform at domestic level and then take it through to SA A level, you will be rewarded.
“We have decided to rest Dale Steyn, Morné Morkel and Vernon Philander for the series against Zimbabwe although they will return for the triangular series that follows. Their replacements are Marchant de Lange, Kyle Abbott and Mthokozisi Shezi.”
De Lange (14 wickets at 21) and Shezi (11 wickets at 15) were the two leading bowlers for South Africa A. De Lange makes his return for the Proteas after being sidelined for a long period through injury while Shezi is a new cap. Abbott was part of the Proteas Test squad for the recent series in Sri Lanka.
Hudson added that the squad would only be finalised for the triangular at the end of the Zimbabwe Series.
Kagiso Rabada, another member of the South Africa A squad, will travel with the ODI squad for the triangular series. “We want him to experience and learn from the environment around the Proteas,” Hudson added.
Proteas ODI squad for Zimbabwe series: AB de Villiers (Titans, captain), Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras, vice-captain), Kyle Abbott (Dolphins), Quinton de Kock (Highveld Lions), Marchant de Lange (Titans), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Beuran Hendricks (Cape Cobras), Imran Tahir (Dolphins), Ryan McLaren (Dolphins), David Miller (Dolphins), Wayne Parnell (Warriors), Aaron Phangiso (Highveld Lions), Rilee Rossouw (Knights), Mthokozisi Shezi (Cape Cobras).
