Despite being uncapped in T20 cricket, Keshav Maharaj was called up to the Proteas’ squad for next month’s World Cup in the UAE.
The 31-year-old is one of three specialist spinners in the 15-man squad – the others being Tabraiz Shamsi and Bjorn Fortuin – with regular T20 spinning allrounder George Linde only included as one of three travelling reserves.
Of Maharaj’s call-up, convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang says: “Kesh is an excellent leader. He has the backing of the team and us as a panel.
“He has more than proven his leadership skills in the Dolphins setup and reinforced our good decision during the ODI series against Sri Lanka which ended on Tuesday.
“His exemplary captaincy is what we believe is in the best interests of the team’s stability during this last international series that the team gets to play ahead of the World Cup.”
Maharaj could make his T20I debut today when the Proteas face Sri Lanka in the first of three T20s at the R. Premadasa Stadium at 4.30pm.
With regular skipper Temba Bavuma back in South Africa after suffering a hand injury in the first ODI against their hosts, the team welcomed back senior players Quinton de Kock, David Miller and Lungi Ngidi – all of whom missed the 2-1 ODI series defeat for various reasons.
The second match in the series will be played on Sunday at 4.30pm, with the final encounter set for Tuesday.
PROTEAS T20 WORLD CUP SQUAD
Temba Bavuma (captain), Keshav Maharaj, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen. Traveling Reserves: Andile Phehlukwayo, George Linde, Lizaad Williams.