Following the injuries to veteran duo Hashim Amla and JP Duminy, the Proteas selectors have opted to bolster the batting line-up with Farhaan Behardien for the upcoming limited-overs tour of Australia.
Behardien was included alongside a batting allrounder in Dwaine Pretorius, while bowling allrounder Chris Morris is also back in the mix after missing the Sri Lankan tour and Zimbabwe series due to injury.
The selection of established internationals Behardien and Morris shows that the Proteas brainstrust are virtually done with their experimentation ahead of next year’s World Cup, and now it’s a shootout for the final squad to the end of the international season for all players involved.
DEPTH IN BATTING: Farhaan Behardien. Photo: CHRIS RICCO/BACKPAGEPIX
Apart from Amla (finger) and Duminy (shoulder), young allrounder Wiaan Mulder is also still sidelined through injury.
National selection convener Linda Zondi says: “Chris confirmed his fitness with his excellent form for the Titans in the first two rounds of the four-day domestic series.
“He is the leading wicket-taker in this competition to date, and also adds value as a batting option in the lower order.”