Explosive KwaZulu-Natal batsman Lance Klusener seems to be back in favour with South African cricket selectors after he was on Thursday included in a 14-man squad from which a Rest of South Africa team will be chosen.
The Rest of South Africa team is scheduled to play against the Standard Bank Cup Champions, Western Province, in the Sports Trust Challenge on December 8.
Klusener was cast into the international cricket wilderness by South African cricket authorities following the country’s ignominious exit from this year’s Cricket World Cup.
Klusener though has been in sublime form recently — particularly with the ball — while his big-hitting is legendary, and this obviously twisted the arm of selection convenor Omar Henry.
The nuggety all-rounder is currently in a legal wrangle with the United Cricket Board of South Africa over his national contract.
Klusener was not offered a new contract following the World Cup exit and this he felt was in contravention of a promise made to him by South African cricket bosses.
Earlier this week, Klusener was reported as saying he would like to resolve the differences between himself and the country’s cricket hierarchy.
”It’s great to see him back in refreshed and rejuvenated form for KwaZulu-Natal. Lance has shown good all round form, in particular with the ball, so far this season and his experience and explosive talents will be of great value to the Rest of South Africa,” said Henry in a United Cricket Board press release issued on Thursday.
Henry said the match has given the selectors the opportunity of including a number of national squad fringe players in the Rest of South Africa squad.
”With the likes of Gibbs, Smith, Kallis, Kirsten and Prince not available there is the chance for the likes of Justin Ontong, Hashim Amla and More van Wyk to perform in an atmosphere that won’t be too different from a full-blown international.”
Only Natal’s Hashim Amla has not been capped at full international level.
With the domestic Standard Bank Series starting on Friday, there will be plenty of opportunities for players to force their way into the starting line-up, which will be finalised shortly before the match.
Western Province players were not considered for selection. — Sapa
Rest of South Africa squad: Mark Boucher (captain), Hashim Amla, Boeta Dippenaar, Andrew Hall, Lance Klusener, Neil McKenzie, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Justin Ontong, Robin Peterson, Shaun Pollock, Jacques Rudolph, Morne van Wyk and Monde Zondeki.