Thursday, December 16, 2010

Rudolph in SA's preliminary World Cup squad

Middle-order batsman Jacques Rudolph, who last played an one-day international for South Africa in February 2006, is the surprise package in the Proteas' 30-man preliminary squad for next year's World Cup.

All-rounder Johan van der Wath has also earned a recall after his good performances for English counties Northamptonshire and Sussex.

The squad also includes four uncapped players: batsman Jonathan Vandiar, all-rounders Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar and bowler Ethy Mbhalati. Wicketkeeper-batsman Morne van Wyk was also recalled by South African selectors.

"We indicated at the start of the season that we would reward players who performed well in domestic cricket," selection convener Andrew Hudson was quoted as saying by news agency Associated Press. "There have been some highly impressive performances in the MTN40 and this has opened the door of opportunity for the likes of Faf du Plessis, Jonathan Vandiar, Ethy Mbhalati and Morne van Wyk."

South Africa's experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Mark Boucher has also been named in the preliminary squad for the World Cup despite being overlooked for the recent ODI series against Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

However, there is no place in the squad for Herschelle Gibbs, who recently cancelled his national contract with Cricket South Africa.

Squad: Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, A.B. de Villiers, Alviro Petersen, Loots Bosman, Jacques Rudolph, Morne van Wyk, Jonathan Vandiar, J.P. Duminy, David Miller, Colin Ingram, Albie Morkel, Robin Peterson, Mark Boucher, Thami Tsolekile, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Heino Kuhn, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Johan Botha, Ryan McLaren, Charl Langeveldt, Rusty Theron, Ethy Mbhalati, Roelof van der Merwe, Johannes van der Wath.
© Cricbuzz

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