The Titans young star Tony de Zorzi has been given the captaincy of the CSA’s Emerging team on their tour of Sri Lanka.

The team leaves on Sunday to play two unofficial Tests and three ODIs against the rising Sri Lanka stars, a series which will gauge the depth of both teams. The Sri Lankan seniors already hold a commanding lead over the Proteas after their crushing victory in the first Test.

‘This programme is a highly important part of our cricket development pipeline,’ said Vinnie Barnes, CSA high performance manager. ‘It has the long-term goal of not just producing professional players and strengthening the player base but also of producing future Proteas.

‘The team that undertook a similar tour to Sri Lanka in 2015 was captained by Heinrich Klaasen and included other current Proteas in Aiden Markram and Junior Dala. There are others over the last few years who have already made their mark at franchise level,’ added Barnes.

‘It is vital our emerging talent is exposed to the playing conditions in the subcontinent as early as possible,’ said Barnes.

CSA Emerging Squad: Tony de Zorzi (Titans), Ryan Rickleton (Highveld Lions), Jiveshan Pillay (Titans), Matthew Breezke (Warriors), Kagiso Rapulana (Highveld Lions), Raynard van Tonder (Knights), Thsepang Dithole (Highveld Lions), Gary Mahlokana (Titans), Smangaliso Nhlebela (Dolphins), Junaid Dawood (Cape Cobras), Onke Nyaku (Warriors), Ethan Bosch (Dolphins), Nandre Burger (Highveld Lions), Kerwin Mungroo (Dolphins), Lutho Sipamla (Warriors)

Management team: Shukri Conrad (head coach), Shane Burger (assistant coach), Nandile Tyali (fitness trainer), Nick Moffitt (physiotherapist), Hendrikus Coertzen (video analyst), Maurice Aronstam (mental conditioning coach)

Itinerary: 26-29 July, first four-day match, Katunayake; 2-5 August, second four-day match, Hambanthota; 9 Aug, first ODI, RDICS, Dambulla; 11 Aug, second ODI RDICS, Dambulla; 14 Aug, third ODI, SSC, Colombo.

Photo: Aubrey Kgakatsi/BackpagePix