Tahir’s last Test match came against the West Indies in December 2014
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
South Africa have recalled the spin trio of Imran Tahir, Dane Piedt and Simon Harmer for the upcoming four-Test series against India.
Tahir has not represented South Africa in Tests since playing against the West Indies on home soil in December 2014. Harmer played during South Africa’s most recent Test series against Bangladesh, while Piedt’s only Test match to date came against Zimbabwe in Harare in August last year.
Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Dane Vilas has retained his place in the Test squad after Quinton de Kock was dropped. De Kock however was included in both the ODI and Twenty20 squads.
It has also been confirmed that Faf du Plessis will make his return after recovering from a knee injury, while batsman Khaya Zondo is in line to make his international debut after he was drafted into the Twenty20 squad.
“It is good to have Dane [Piedt] back from his injury and Imran was our No 1 spinner for our last Test series on the sub-continent against Sri Lanka,” South Africa convenor of selectors Linda Zondi said. “It is very important that we maintain consistency in our selections and Dane [Vilas] hardly had the chance to make his mark in Bangladesh where the series was so badly disrupted by the weather.”
South Africa’s tour of India will consist of four Tests, five ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals.
South Africa Test squad: Hashim Amla (c), AB de Villiers, Temba Bavuma, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Simon Harmer, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Vilas
South Africa ODI squad: AB de Villiers (c), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn
South Africa T20 squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Marchant de Lange, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Eddie Leie, David Miller, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, David Wiese, Khaya Zondo