Proteas Test squad named

Cape Town - Robin Peterson has been recalled to the Proteas Test squad for the three-match series against the West Indies later this month while the Highveld Lions duo of Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada have been included in the Test squad for the first time.

Peterson takes the place of Dane Piedt who, along with JP Duminy remains on the injured list, and is the only specialist spin bowler in the squad. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir has dropped out of the squad.

Stiaan van Zyl, who was the reserve batsman in the one-off Test match against Zimbabwe, is the other uncapped player in the squad.

“We have been very pleased with the way the Test squad has performed in its last three outings in Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe,” commented Cricket South Africa (CSA) selection convener, Andrew Hudson. “Part of this has been the result of consistency in the selection process and also establishing a pecking order. Stiaan was the reserve batsman against Zimbabwe so he is the logical choice to replace Duminy.

“At the same time we want to bring players whom we have identified as having international potential into the team environment. This is a policy that has worked well in the past with the likes of Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock, among others.

“Both Temba and Kagiso have impressed at franchise and South Africa A level and they are ready to be considered for senior international duty.

“The medical committee will monitor the recovery process of both Duminy and Piedt and there is a reasonable chance that we will be able to consider JP for selection during the second half of the Test series.”

Proteas Test squad:

Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras, captain), AB de Villiers (Titans, vice-captain), Alviro Petersen (Highveld Lions), Dean Elgar (Titans), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Stiaan van Zyl (Cape Cobras), Quinton de Kock (Highveld Lions), Vernon Philander (Cape Cobras), Robin Peterson (Cape Cobras), Dale Steyn (Cape Cobras), Morne Morkel (Titans), Temba Bavuma (Highveld Lions), Kyle Abbott (Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (Highveld Lions)

West Indian tour itinerary:

December 10-12: South African Invitation XI, Benoni
December 17-21: First Test, Centurion
December 26-30: Second Test, Port Elizabeth

January 2-6: Third Test, Cape Town
January 9: First Twenty20 international, Cape Town
January 11: Second Twenty20 international, Johannesburg
January 14: Third Twenty20 international, Durban
January 16: First one-day international, Durban
January 18: Second one-day international, Johannesburg
January 21: Third one-day international, East London
January 25: Fourth one-day international, Port Elizabeth
January 28: Fifth one-day international, Centurion