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Proteas name 15-man squad
21/01/2008 16:57 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Justin Ontong, who made his return to international cricket last weekend, did enough in the Twenty20 match on Friday night and the one-day international (ODI) to ensure his place in the South African squad.
Ontong, who shared a crucial 69 run stand with JP Duminy in South Africa's six wicket victory over the West Indies in Centurion on Sunday, was included in the squad announced on Monday for the second and third ODIs against the West Indies in Cape Town on Friday night and in Port Elizabeth next Sunday.
"We've identified Justin as the next batter, just as we identified JP (Duminy) before him," explained Proteas coach Mickey Arthur.
"That's why we took JP with us on those tours before Pakistan and to Pakistan, because he was the next one in. With Justin Kemp now absent, JP took over that mantle, and he knew what he had to do because of the consistency of selection.
"Justin (Ontong) is now the guy we've identified to be the next batter, after JP. When Hersch (Herschelle Gibbs) comes back, we're pretty much up to full strength in our top five, but Justin's done more than enough to warrant the identification as right.
Order of succession
"We'll keep him with us, and he's going to know that if there is an injury or a loss of form, he's the next man in."
Arthur said it was important to establish an order of succession.
"The key is to identify them early, and then stick with them. It is all part of preparing the guys to come into the national set up.
"Justin and JP will both tell you how difficult it is - it's a pretty daunting environment. The more we can expose them to that environment, the easier it is for them to fit in when the time comes."
The selectors named a squad of 15 for the next two ODIs.
"Ordinarily we would prefer to have a slightly smaller squad," commented selection chief Joubert Strydom. "But we have a number of niggles in the squad in addition to Smith's injury and we feel it is prudent to have the additional depth."
Players carrying injuries of varying degrees at the moment include Dale Steyn (hamstring), Smith and Justin Ontong (both knee), Herschelle Gibbs (calf) and Andre Nel (neck).
Proteas squad: Graeme Smith (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Justin Ontong, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Albie Morkel, Johan Botha, Morne Morkel, Andre Nel, Dale Steyn, Charl Langeveldt, Makhaya Ntini.
- SAPA
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