Lungi Ngidi and Khaya Zondo were named in the ODI squad for the Proteas’ series against India.
CSA announced the squad on Thursday, which includes two uncapped players in fast bowler Ngidi and Dolphins batsman Zondo for the first three ODIs to be played against India in February.
Ngidi was not available for the previous ODI series last year as he was recovering from injury, while Zondo had previously been included in the Proteas squad for the 2015 tour of India without getting game time.
The squad also features the return of Morne Morkel and Chris Morris who missed the previous ODI series against Bangladesh through injury. Tabraiz Shamsi returns to the squad as a second spin bowling option.
‘This is a continuation of vision 2019 as we develop our squad for the 2019 ICC World Cup in England,’ said CSA National Selection Panel Convener Linda Zondi. ‘Lungi has achieved a remarkable double in being named Man of the Match on both his T20 and Test match debuts and he now gets the chance to show what he can do in the 50 overs format.
‘Khaya has been on the fringes of selection for some time now which included leading the South Africa A side on their recent 50 overs campaign against the England Lions. He forms part of our vision to give opportunities to fringe players and we will continue this policy throughout the build-up to the World Cup.
‘It is good to have both Morne and Chris back in the squad as the 2019 World Cup is little more than a year away now,’ concluded Zondi.
Zondi confirmed that a rotation process will be used throughout the year until after the Sri Lanka series in August.
This is ‘part and parcel’ of the reason why Farhaan Behardien has been left out for the first three ODIs. The squad announced will be for the first three ODIs and will change up thereafter.
He also confirmed that Imran Tahir is the No 1 choice spinner, but that Tabraiz Shamsi will be given the opportunity to prove himself.
Standard Bank Proteas ODI squad: Faf du Plessis (Titans, capt), Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras), Quinton de Kock (Titans), AB de Villiers (Titans), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Imran Tahir (Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Titans), David Miller (Knights), Morne Morkel (Titans), Chris Morris (Titans), Lungisani Ngidi (Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (Highveld Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans), Khaya Zondo (Dolphins)
