Johannesburg - Dolphins spin bowler Imran Tahir has replaced Highveld Lions batsman Jonathan Vandiar in South Africa's preliminary 30-man Cricket World Cup squad.

"We feel that we need to widen our bowling options," Cricket South Africa selection convener Andrew Hudson said in a statement on Monday.

"I have discussed the matter with Jonathan and I would like to express my gratitude to him for withdrawing gracefully. He knows he is very much part of our plans going forward."

Tahir, who was born in Lahore, Pakistan, was granted South African citizenship last month and last week was included in South Africa's one-day squad to face India.

The 31-year-old took 15 wickets in nine matches at an average of 17.60 to help the Dolphins reach the semifinals of the MTN40 domestic competition this season.

He has taken 140 wickets at 22.74 in 96 one-day matches and 547 wickets at 24.93 in 128 first-class games.

Preliminary squad: Graeme Smith (Cape Cobras), Hashim Amla (Dolphins), Jacques Kallis (Warriors), AB de Villiers (Titans), Alviro Petersen (Highveld Lions), Loots Bosman (Dolphins), Jacques Rudolph (Titans), Morne van Wyk (Knights), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), David Miller (Dolphins), Colin Ingram (Warriors), Albie Morkel (Titans), Robin Peterson (Cape Cobras), Mark Boucher (Warriors), Thami Tsolekile (Highveld Lions), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Dean Elgar (Knights), Heino Kuhn (Titans), Morne Morkel (Titans), Dale Steyn (Cape Cobras), Wayne Parnell (Warriors), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Warriors), Johan Botha (Warriors), Ryan McLaren (Knights), Charl Langeveldt (Cape Cobras), Rusty Theron (Warriors), Ethy Mbhalati (Titans), Roelof van der Merwe (Titans), Johannes van der Wath (Knights), Imran Tahir (Dolphins).