Left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj were included in South Africa‘s squad for the five-match one-day international series in Sri Lanka, which starts next month.
However, there was no place for fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander, even as selection convener Linda Zondi said both are contenders for a place in South Africa’s squad for the World Cup next year.
“We are looking to broaden our talent pool,” said Zondi. “Conditions in England are likely to be very different from those in Sri Lanka. We will be trying a lot of combinations before the World Cup.”
South Africa’s leading ODI bowler Imran Tahir was given a rest and Zondi said this was done so that the selectors “can get a clearer picture as to who our second-best spinner is.”
Shamsi and Test regular Maharaj were named in South Africa’s squad for two Test matches, which will precede the one-day series.
The one-day squad includes opener Reeza Hendricks and fast bowler Junior Dala, who have both played in Twenty20 internationals but not ODIs.
South African squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Junior Dala, Quinton de Kock (wkt), JP Duminy, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi
