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Vilas shocked by Proteas call

Cape Town - Dane Vilas has answered an SOS-call from the national selectors to replace AB de Villiers, who is on paternity leave, in the South African Test squad for the tour of Bangladesh.

Vilas will act as reserve wicketkeeper for Quinton de Kock.

“I was quite shocked and very surprised when Andrew Hudson (convenor of selectors) called me on Monday,” said Vilas.

The 29-year old wicketkeeper of the Cape Cobras scored 499 runs in the Sunfoil Series in the 2014/2015-season and averaged 55.5 in the One Day Cup competition.

“Obviously, if I was to be selected for South Africa in a case of injury, it would be the fulfilment of a dream for me. It would be the pinnacle of my career if I am drafted into the SA team for a Test against Bangladesh. But I will prepare as if I am going to play,” Vilas said.

Vilas is an attacking middle-order batsman who can be destructive when he gets into his stride, and was a stand-out performer for the Cobras the past few years.

Last season, he was arguably their best middle-order batsman in the One Day Cup competition.

His first-class average of 41, with 10 centuries, underlines his ability with the bat.

“I am quite pleased with my development as wicketkeeper the past few seasons. I have worked hard on drills and on watching footage on YouTube to improve,” Vilas said.

“I have also touched base often with Ryan Cook and Wendell Bossenger to evolve as a wicketkeeper.

“A few seasons ago when Mark Boucher was at the Cape Cobras, I also discussed my wicketkeeping skills and ways to improve at length with him.”

Vilas says he feels younger than his 29 years and hopes to continue for a number of years. Players like Justin Kemp, who is the 37, and Neil McKenzie, who was 39 when he retired, have shown that age is just a number in the first-class arena.

Proteas Test squad: Hashim Amla (Nashua Cape Cobras, captain), Dean Elgar (The Unlimited Titans), Reeza Hendricks (Knights), Faf du Plessis (The Unlimited Titans), Stiaan van Zyl (Nashua Cape Cobras), JP Duminy (Nashua Cape Cobras), Quinton de Kock (The Unlimited Titans), Vernon Philander (Nashua Cape Cobras), Dale Steyn (Nashua Cape Cobras), Morne Morkel (The Unlimited Titans), Aaron Phangiso (bizhub Highveld Lions), Simon Harmer (Warriors), Temba Bavuma (bizhub Highveld Lions), Kagiso Rabada (bizhub Highveld Lions), Dane Vilas (Nashua Cape Cobras).

Proteas ODI squad: AB de Villiers (The Unlimited Titans, captain), Hashim Amla (Nashua Cape Cobras, vice-capt), Quinton de Kock (The Unlimited Titans), Faf du Plessis (The Unlimited Titans), Rilee Rossouw (Knights), JP Duminy (Nashua Cape Cobras), David Miller (Sunfoil Dolphins), Farhaan Behardien (The Unlimited Titans), Chris Morris (The Unlimited Titans), Morne Morkel (The Unlimited Titans), Imran Tahir (Sunfoil Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (bizhub Highveld Lions), Kyle Abbott (Sunfoil Dolphins), Aaron Phangiso (bizhub Highveld Lions), Wayne Parnell (Nashua Cape Cobras), Ryan McLaren (Sunfoil Dolphins).

Proteas T20 squad: Faf du Plessis (The Unlimited Titans, captain), Quinton de Kock (The Unlimited Titans), Rilee Rossouw (Knights), AB de Villiers (The Unlimited Titans), JP Duminy (Nashua Cape Cobras), David Miller (Sunfoil Dolphins), David Wiese (The Unlimited Titans), Chris Morris (The Unlimited Titans), Kyle Abbott (Sunfoil Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (bizhub Highveld Lions), Aaron Phangiso (bizhub Highveld Lions), Eddie Leie (bizhub Highveld Lions), Wayne Parnell (Nashua Cape Cobras), Beuran Hendricks (Nashua Cape Cobras).

Bangladesh tour itinerary:

July 5 - 1st T20 International, Dhaka

July 7 - 2nd T20 International, Dhaka

July 10 - 1st ODI, Dhaka

July 12 - 2nd ODI, Dhaka

July 15 - 3rd ODI, Chittagong

July 2 - 1st Test, Chittagong

July 30 - 2nd Test, Dhaka

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