Johannesburg - Chevrolet Warriors’ left-arm swing bowler, 24-year-old Lonwabo Tsotsobe, has been awarded a Proteas’ contract by Cricket South Africa.

This was announced on Saturday by CSA CEO Gerald Majola following a CSA board meeting held on Friday.

Majola said: “Lonwabo has impressed everybody, both at domestic and international level, and CSA sees a bright future for him.
“He is a very committed young man and has fitted into the Proteas’ set-up very well indeed.

“He certainly proved his mettle in the final ODI against Australia when he took four for 50 on debut in Perth and bowled exceptionally well during the last power play which helped the Proteas win the match and the series 4-1.

“Lonwabo’s fast left-arm swing bowling also brings a new dimension to the Proteas’ attack, and he will certainly be a contender for both tests and ODIs”.

Retain existing franchise system

The CSA board approved 16 Proteas’ contracts for the period May 1 2009 to April 30 2010, which is two less than the last contractual year.

Right-arm fast bowlers Andre Nel and Monde Zondeki, and spinner all-rounder Robin Petersen did not have their CSA contracts renewed.

The board also decided to retain the existing six-team franchise system for domestic professional cricket.

This followed a decision by CSA’s Franchise Review Committee to withdraw its report that contained a recommendation that extra franchises be awarded to Border and Griqualand West.

The following 16 players will be contracted to the Proteas between  May 1 2009 and April 30 2010.

Contracted players:

Graeme Smith (Nashua Cape Cobras) captain; Hashim Amla (Nashua Dolphins); Johan Botha (Chevrolet Warriors); Mark Boucher (Chevrolet Warriors); AB de Villiers (Nashua Titans); J-P Duminy (Nashua Cape Cobras); Herschelle Gibbs (Nashua Cape Cobras); Paul Harris (Nashua Titans); Jacques Kallis (Chevrolet Warriors); Neil McKenzie (bizhub Highveld Lions); Albie Morkel (Nashua Titans); Morne Morkel (Nashua Titans); Makhaya Ntini (Chevrolet Warriors); Ashwell Prince (Chevrolet Warriors); Dale Steyn (Nashua Titans) and Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Chevrolet Warriors).