SA duo to make ODI debuts

Johannesburg - Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Friday named two new caps in Knights batsman Dean Elgar and Cape Cobras seamer Rory Kleinveldt for the ODI series against Sri Lanka to be played in January.

Kleinveldt has previously played two T20 International matches for the Proteas - the most recent being at the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies last year - but this will be his first international foray into the 50 overs format.

“We have chosen a squad of 14 for the first two games only,” commented CSA selection convener Andrew Hudson. “Those members of the squad who are not involved in the final Test match in the Sunfoil Series at Newlands next week will be released to play for their franchises before the squad assembles on January 9.

“There have been a number of batsmen showing good form in domestic cricket,” added Hudson, “and Elgar fully deserves his opportunity. He was the leading runs scorer in the 1 Day Cup and also had the best average. In addition he gives us very useful bowling options as a left-arm spinner.

“Kleinveldt played an important role with the ball in helping the Cobras to win the 1 Day Cup and he also has a lot of potential as a lower-order power hitter.”

The squad shows three changes to that which did duty in the ODI series against Australia. AB de Villiers returns from injury in place of Mark Boucher, Elgar replaces David Miller while Imran Tahir makes room for Kleinveldt.

“We feel we won’t need three frontline spinners in South African conditions,” explained Hudson, “so it makes sense to change the bowling balance of the squad slightly.”

De Villiers will lead the Proteas for the first time since being named ODI captain.

Proteas’ ODI squad:

AB de Villiers (Titans, captain), Hashim Amla (Dolphins, vice-captain), Johan Botha (Warriors), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Dean Elgar (Knights), Jacques Kallis (Cape Cobras), Rory Kleinveldt (Cape Cobras), Morne Morkel (Titans), Wayne Parnell (Warriors), Robin Peterson (Cape Cobras), Graeme Smith (Cape Cobras), Dale Steyn (Cape Cobras), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Warriors).

ODI fixtures:

January 11, Boland Park (day/nIght)
January 14, Buffalo Park (day)
January 17, Chevrolet Park (day/night)
January 20, Diamond Oval (day/night)
January 22, Bidvest Wanderers Stadium (day)