New players in the Proteas side

Cricket South Africa on Friday named Ryan McLaren and Heino Kuhn as new caps in their various limited overs squads for the series against Zimbabwe and England.

McLaren, has been included in the ODI squad for the two-match MTN series against Zimbabwe as well as the first three matches of the MTN series against England and the two Standard Bank Pro20 Internationals.

This is one of three changes to the Proteas’ Standard Bank ODI squad. McLaren takes the place of Robin Peterson while two long-serving Proteas’ players, Herschelle Gibbs and Makhaya Ntini, drop out to make room for Alviro Petersen and Charl Langeveldt. Loots Bosman also makes a comeback to the Proteas’ squad for the Pro20 series.

The omission of Herschelle Gibbs means that Jacques Kallis will be used as an opening batsman in the ODI’s, according to the convenor of selectors for the South African team, Mike Procter.

Kuhn, a wicketkeeper-batsman from the Nashua Titans franchise, gets his chance in the 20 overs format of the game for the two Standard Bank Pro20 Internationals against England. I’d suggest that Kuhn has been selected as the under study to Mark Boucher as approaches his 33^rd birthday on 3 December.

The selectors have also named the two South Africa A sides to play against England. There are interesting captaincy choices in Hashim Amla and Justin Ontong while Rilee Rossouw and CJ de Villiers have both been rewarded for their outstanding performances in the Champions’ League tournament.

Proteas Suads:

Proteas’ Standard Bank ODI squad: Graeme Smith (Nashua Cape Cobras, capt), Hashim Amla (Nashua Dolphins), Johan Botha (Chevrolet Warriors), Mark Boucher (Chevrolet Warriors), AB de Villiers (Nashua Titans), JP Duminy (Nashua Cape Cobras), Jacques Kallis (Chevrolet Warriors), Charl Langeveldt (Nashua Cape Cobras), Ryan McLaren (Diamond Eagles), Albie Morkel (Nashua Titans), Wayne Parnell (Chevrolet Warriors), Alviro Petersen (bizhub Highveld Lions), Dale Steyn (Nashua Titans), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Chevrolet Warriors), Roelof van der Merwe (Nashua Titans).

Proteas’ Standard Bank Pro20 squad: Graeme Smith (Nashua Cape Cobras, capt), Yusuf Abdulla (Nashua Dolphins), Loots Bosman (Nashua Dolphins), Johan Botha (Chevrolet Warriors), Mark Boucher (Chevrolet Warriors), AB de Villiers (Nashua Titans), JP Duminy (Nashua Cape Cobras), Jacques Kallis (Chevrolet Warriors), Heino Kuhn (Nashua Titans), Charl Langeveldt (Nashua Cape Cobras), Ryan McLaren (Diamond Eagles), Albie Morkel (Nashua Titans), Wayne Parnell (Chevrolet Warriors), Dale Steyn (Nashua Titans), Roelof van der Merwe (Nashua Titans).