INDIA TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA 2017-18

Duminy to lead South Africa in T20I series against India

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

Duminy has been named stand-in captain in place of injured Faf du Plessis. © AFP

Uncapped batsman Christiaan Jonker has been named in the South Africa T20I squad for the three-match series against India. With regular skipper Faf du Plessis remaining unavailable due to his injury, JP Duminy will lead the T20 team, CSA announced on Tuesday (February 13). The 14-member squad also includes Heinrich Klaasen, who played a key role in South Africa's victory in the fourth ODI, as well as Junior Dala.

Jonker, who was the highest run-getter for Warriors during the Ram Slam T20 tournament, was rewarded for his efforts as was Reeza Hendricks who finished at the top of the run-scorers' list during the competition. Hendricks last featured in the T20I series against England in June 2017 where he registered three single-digit scores.

"Christiaan Jonker has been one of the most explosive finishers in domestic T20 cricket in recent seasons and his selection, together with that of Junior Dala, gives players who have performed well at franchise level the opportunity to show that they can compete at the highest level. Heinrich Klaasen's recent performance speaks for itself. Reeza Hendricks gets another opportunity for the same reason, having been the highest runs scorer in this season's RAM SLAM Challenge," Linda Zondi, the CSA National Selection Panel Convener, said

Meanwhile, Test regulars Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram have been rested keeping in mind the upcoming series against Australia, while AB de Villiers has been included considering the amount of international cricket he has missed in the last few months. The selectors have also decided to give Imran Tahir a break to provide more opportunities to the likes of Tabraiz Shamsi and Aaron Phangiso.

South Africa T20 squad: JP Duminy (capt), Farhaan Behardien, Junior Dala, AB de Villiers, Reeza Hendricks, Christiaan Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Chris Morris, Dane Paterson, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jon-Jon Smuts.

"With the Sunfoil Test Series against Australia starting only 5 days after the completion of the T20 Series it is necessary for us to rest some of the players who have featured in virtually all our international matches so far this summer. These include Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram among the batsmen as well as most of our frontline fast bowlers. AB de Villiers has missed quite a lot of cricket this summer so he will play in the T20 Series.

"We have also decided to give Imran Tahir a break. He remains our first-choice spin bowler in both white ball formats. But we need to give more game time to Tabraiz Shamsi and Aaron Phangiso. The next ICC World Twenty20 is not all that far away in 2020 so it is important that we develop and examine our resources for that tournament," Zondi reasoned.

The three-match T20I series between South Africa and India begins on February 18 in Johannesburg. The second game will be played in Port Elizabeth on February 21 while the final game of the series is scheduled on February 24 in Cape Town.

Zondo to lead South Africa A against Australia

The selectors also announced the South Africa A squad for the three-day tour game against Australia, which begins on February 22 at Sahara Park Willowmoore. Khaya Zondo has been named captain of the squad which includes newcomers at this level like Pieter Malan, Zubayr Hamza and Senuran Muthusamy.

"With no franchise cricket scheduled for that weekend it gives another group of fringe players an ideal opportunity to show what they have to offer against top quality opposition," Zondi said.

South Africa A squad: Khayalihle Zondo (capt), Theunis de Bruyn, Zubayr Hamza, Beuran Hendricks, Pieter Malan, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Duanne Olivier, Rudi Second, Malusi Siboto, Shaun von Berg.

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