Paceman Mfuneko Ngam and left arm spinner Nicky Boje were on Monday recalled to the South African cricket side for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.
Both lost their places due to severe injuries — Ngam to another stress fracture while Boje broke his ankle while fielding in England last winter.
Ngam’s recall is particularly timeous after South Africa failed to defend a substantial total of 297 at Centurion on Sunday.
While it was the first time that the West Indies have beaten South Africa this summer, the loss highlighted South Africa’s need for a genuinely quick strike bowler.
”We’ve had medical reports on both players and we are quite satisfied that they have recovered completely,” said convenor of selectors Omar Henry on Monday.
”This is an important tour for both these players and we are looking for them to play prominent roles on the sub continent later this year.”
With Andrew Hall out of the equation after suffering a prolapsed disc and Lance Klusener not selected for the Test series, Ngam may have to shoulder a considerable bowling burden in New Zealand.
”It’s really good to have Ngam back. I’m sure he’ll bolster our fast bowling options,” said Henry.
Boje owes his recall to the side more to his extraordinary record against the Kiwis than any performances in the domestic competition. When the Black Caps toured South Africa during the 2000/2001 summer, Boje brutalised their bowling attack batting as a pinch hitter at number three.
There was also a surprise Test call up for Easterns allrounder Albie Morkel, who has yet to play a single full international. He has been preferred to fill the allrounder’s berth at the expense of Klusener, who will return to South Africa after the six one day internationals.
”We would have liked to have given Albie a game in this series,” said Henry, ”but that’s not likely to happen now.
”Still, we have identified him as a really talented all rounder and we want to expose him to the culture and ethic in the national side.”
While Klusener, Boeta Dippenaar, Robin Peterson and Ashwell Prince will return home after the ODI series, Neil McKenzie, Gary Kirsten, Martin van Jaarsveld and Paul Adams will fly out for the three Test matches.
The South Africans are due to open their tour against Northern Districts in Hamilton next Wednesday.
South African ODI squad
Graeme Smith – Captain Western Province
Mark Boucher – Vice Captain Border Bears
Nicky Boje – Free State
Boeta Dippenaar – Free State
Herschelle Gibbs – Western Province
Jacques Kallis – Western Province
Lance Klusener – KwaZulu Natal Dolphins
Albie Morkel – Easterns
Mfuneko Ngam – Eastern Province Jumbos
Andre Nel – Easterns
Makhaya Ntini – Border Bears
Robin Peterson – Eastern Province Jumbos
Shaun Pollock – KwaZulu Natal Dolphins
Ashwell Prince – Western Province
Jacques Rudolph – Northerns
The following players will join the tour for the Test series:
Paul Adams – Western Province
Gary Kirsten – Western Province
Neil McKenzie – Northern Titans
Martin van Jaarsveld – Northern Titans
Management
Manager: Tim Southey
Coach: Eric Simons
Assistant Coach: Vincent Barnes
Physiotherapist: Shane Jabaar
Fitness Trainer: Adrian le Roux
Computer Analyst: Gustav Obermeyer – Sapa