Andre Nel is back in the Proteas Test squad for the four-match cricket series against England, to be played in July and August.
Cricket South Africa selection committee convener Joubert Strydom on Friday announced a squad of 15 that consists of Nel plus the 14 players who did duty on the recent tour of India.
Explaining the motivation for selecting an extra fast bowler, Strydom commented: ”It is a long tour with two lots of back-to-back Test matches and we all know what the rate of attrition among fast bowlers can be.
”In addition, we feel we will need to give Dale Steyn a bit of a rest as he has been bowling regularly in the Indian Premier League. He is one of our key weapons and we want him to be at his best when the Test series gets under way.
”The same applies to Makhaya Ntini, while Morne Morkel is coming back from injury.”
Strydom added although two specialist spin bowlers had been selected, in Paul Harris and Robin Peterson, it was unlikely that two spinners would be chosen for any one Test.
”We will definitely want to play a spinner in the Tests and, with the tour taking place out of the South African season, we need to make sure we have back-up strength that is match fit and in form in the case of injury,” he said.
”For the rest we are delighted with the way the squad has played this summer and the players deserve the fullest vote of confidence.”
The Proteas one-day squad for the T20 match and the programme of five one-day internationals will be selected next month.
The Proteas will have a training camp in the middle of next month before leaving for England on June 24.
Proteas Test squad: Graeme Smith (Nashua Cape Cobras, captain), Ashwell Prince (Nashua Cape Cobras, vice-captain), Hashim Amla (Nashua Dolphins), Mark Boucher (Nashua Cape Cobras), AB de Villiers (Nashua Titans), JP Duminy (Nashua Cape Cobras), Paul Harris (Nashua Titans), Jacques Kallis (Nashua Cape Cobras), Neil McKenzie (bizhub Highveld Lions), Morne Morkel (Nashua Titans), Andre Nel (Nashua Titans), Makhaya Ntini (Chevrolet Warriors), Robin Peterson (Chevrolet Warriors), Dale Steyn (Nashua Titans), Monde Zondeki (Nashua Cape Cobras). — Sapa