South Africa's Dwaine Pretorius in action. Picture: Action Images via Reuters, Andrew Boyers
PROTEAS players Sisanda Magala and Dwaine Pretorius are back in the Proteas T20 squad for the series against Sri Lanka next month, giving them the inside track for selection for the T20 World Cup in the Middle East later this year.
Their selection, alongside Wiaan Mulder, means that the Proteas will have three seam bowling all-rounders for that three match series, and most likely finally closes the door on Chris Morris’ chances of playing at the World Cup.
After missing South Africa’s trip to the West Indies and then Ireland because of medical reasons, the 32-year-old Pretorius has been included in both the ODI and T20I squads. Magala, for his part, missed out on those trips after struggling in his first international series against Pakistan.
The first of three ODIs start on September 2, followed by three T20Is starting on September 10.
Quinton de Kock, David Miller and Lungi Ngidi will miss the ODI matches, with De Kock and Miller expected to play in the 20-over matches.
Convenor of selectors, Victor Mpitsang, said that he was confident that the two squads would step up during the tough tour. “I would like to wish Temba Bavuma and Mark Boucher all the best for what we know will be a challenging tour, but we have every confidence in the squads selected and the leadership behind them.
“With the many Covid-19-induced bio-bubbles that the touring squads have had to endure, it is pleasing to have the majority of our players available for action and we look forward to watching them in the very different conditions of Sri Lanka,” said Mpitsang.
ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Junior Dala, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Janneman Malan, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams.
T20I squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Sisanda Magala, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.