South Africa announced their ODI squad on Wednesday for the first two games of their upcoming five-match home series against Pakistan scheduled to begin on the 19th of January. Big names like that of opening batsman Aiden Markram, middle-order bat Farhaan Behardien and all-rounder Chris Morris were dropped from the squad with uncapped Rassie Van der Dussen being included in the squad.
Van der Dussen was the top scorer in the Mzansi Super League, scoring 469 runs and helping his team Jozi Stars to clinch the title. Pacer Dane Paterson also makes a comeback to the South African side since his debut series against Bangladesh two years ago.
“We need to look at all the options available to us as we get closer to the World Cup” said national selector Linda Zondi. He justified the selection of the two relatively new players saying “Rassie and Dane are two players who have been knocking strongly on the door in all formats."
JP Duminy and Lungi Ngidi are still recovering from injuries; and have therefore not in contention for selection in this series.
South Africa ODI squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen.
Michael Bradley/AFP
