Champions Trophy squad named
2008-07-16 16:45
Johannesburg - Cricket South Africa on Wednesday named the provisional squad of 30 players for the ICC Champions' Trophy tournament to be played in September.
The tournament brings together the top eight teams on the ODI rankings with the Proteas being grouped together with England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. The other group consists of the defending champions, Australia, plus India, Pakistan and the West Indies. The top two teams from each pool will progress to the semi-final round.
The significant feature of the squad, which will be cut to 15 before the start of the tournament, is the inclusion of four uncapped players.
They are the Dolphins left-arm seamer Yusuf Abdullah, big-hitting Cape Cobras all-rounder Rory Kleinveldt, Dolphins all-rounder Johann Louw, recently named as the SA Cricketers' Association's Most Valuable Player at the Mutual & Federal South African Cricket awards banquet, and Titans seamer Ethy Mbhalati.
Rated one of the best
"They are all players who have done well in domestic cricket in both forms of the limited overs game," commented selection chief Joubert Strydom, "and they are talents we have identified who will play important roles in South African cricket going forward.
"The rest of the squad is made up of tried and tested players who have represented South Africa with distinction over the past year. We have every confidence in them to bring a major ICC trophy home."
Gerald Majola, CSA CEO, said: "Since winning the inaugural version of this event in 1998, the Proteas have not featured to their full potential in international tournaments.
"This is something that CSA and the Proteas Team Management have been addressing and we are confident of providing a formidable challenge this time.
"The Proteas are rated one of the best limited overs teams in world cricket, and this will be a motivating factor for the Proteas at this tournament."
Provisional squad: Yusuf Abdullah (Dolphins), Hashim Amla (Dolphins), Goolam Bodi (Titans), Loots Bosman (Diamond Eagles), Johan Botha (Warriors), Mark Boucher (Warriors), AB de Villiers (Titans), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Herschelle Gibbs (Cape Cobras), Paul Harris (Titans), Jacques Kallis (Warriors), Rory Kleinveldt (Cape Cobras), Johann Louw (Dolphins), Ethy Mbhalati (Titans), Neil McKenzie (Highveld Lions), Albie Morkel (Titans), Morne Morkel (Titans), Andre Nel (Highveld Lions), Makhaya Ntini (Warriors), Justin Ontong (Cape Cobras), Robin Peterson (Warriors), Alviro Petersen (Highveld Lions), Vernon Philander (Cape Cobras), Ashwell Prince (Warriors), Graeme Smith (Cape Cobras), Dale Steyn (Titans), Alfonso Thomas (Titans), Thandi Tshabalala (Diamond Eagles), Morne van Wyk (Diamond Eagles), Monde Zondeki (Cape Cobras).
- SAPA