Proteas veterans Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir have been called up for national duty once again ahead of South Africa’s limited overs series against Zimbabwe at the end of the month.
With one eye on next year’s World Cup, Tahir was rested for the last ODI series against Sri Lanka, while Steyn returns after two years out of the 50-over arena, when he featured against Australia in SA.
Big-hitters Quinton de Kock and David Miller have not been included in the squad to “give the selectors the opportunity to explore other options in broadening the talent pool for the World Cup next year”.
So that means Heinrich Klaasen will be the wicketkeeper, while the likes of Christiaan Jonker and Khaya Zondo will get opportunities in the middle-order.
Selection convernor Linda Zondi explains: “The selection of Christiaan Jonker is part of the ongoing process of our Vision 2019.
“He had an outstanding debut in the T20 format against India, and we want to see whether he can convert that finishing form into the longer white-ball format as well.
“We have also recalled Khaya Zondo to the ODI squad as another part of the pool broadening process. He had an outstanding quadrangular series for SA A in India against high quality opposition, scoring our only century and having a strike rate of 95.”
Proteas ODI squad:
Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Christiaan Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungisani Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Khaya Zondo.
Proteas T20 squad:
Faf du Plessis (captain), Gihahn Cloete, Junior Dala, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Robbie Frylinck, Imraan Tahir, Christiaan Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Lungisani Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.