Aaron Phangiso admits he was surprised when he got selected for the South African Test squad to tour Bangladesh in July.

The 31-year-old spinner was a surprise inclusion as one of two frontline spinners, the other being Simon Harmer.

While Harmer made his debut for South Africa last year against West Indies, Phangiso is yet play for the Proteas in the longer format of the game and isn’t considered a four-day player by his franchise the Lions.

‘I was surprised, but also over the moon,’ Phangiso told Netwerk24 at this week’s spin-bowlers’ camp in Pretoria.

‘I don’t play a lot of four-day cricket so to get picked for the Test squad based on your skills as an ODI player is very encouraging.

‘I think it is indicative of the trust the management team has in my ability,’ Phangiso said.

‘The art of spin bowling is something a player works on and refines over a long period of time. Only later in my career did I start to really understand my own game and develop it. That’s why I feel I’m ready for Test cricket.’

Phangiso also talked about the World Cup and said he was tired of being a ‘victim’ of South Africa’s failed campaign.

Phangiso, who was the only ethnic black player in the squad, was not picked for a single game at the tournament.

‘I’m tired of being asked about my experience at the World Cup,’ Phangiso said.

‘Simply put, a place in the starting XI just didn’t happen for me, but I don’t struggle with it and I don’t feel I got short-changed. It’s in the past; we have to focus on the future.’