South Africa have not made any changes to their Test squad
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
South Africa have opted not to make any changes to their squad for the last two Tests against England in Johannesburg and Centurion.
There was speculation that uncapped batsman Stephen Cook would come into the side as a replacement for opener Stiaan van Zyl, but that did not come to fruition as the selectors have decided to give the latter another crack at resurrecting his Test career, which has been falling apart following a string of poor performances with the bat.
Pace bowler Vernon Philander was ruled out for the rest of the series as he has not recovered from ankle injury, while spinner Simon Harmer was not selected.
“We were highly encouraged by the performance put up at Newlands. The very fact that they were nearly able to force a win after conceding 600 runs on the first innings speaks volumes for the character of this group of players,” Linda Zondi, South Africa’s convener of selectors, said. “We feel we have all our bases covered and also the options that will enable the team to exploit whatever conditions they encounter at the Wanderers Stadium and at SuperSport Park.”
South Africa have also retained the same ODI squad that beat India 3-2 in November last year.
AB de Villiers will captain both sides as he succeeded Hashim Amla as Test captain after the latter decided to step down at the end of the second Test against England in Cape Town.
South Africa Test squad: AB de Villiers (capt), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl, Hardus Viljoen
South Africa ODI squad: AB de Villiers (capt), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn