Aiden Markram (four-day) and Khaya Zondo (one-day) have been named captains for SA A’s England tour, while Dale Steyn features in the four-day squad.
The 22-year-old Titans batsman earns his debut SA A call-up after an impressive season. He scored 565 runs at an average of 51.36, which included two centuries and two fifties. He also had a phenomenal One Day Cup campaign, which saw him score a record-breaking man-of-the-match century 161 off 123 balls in the final.
Zondo was equally impressive in his debut season as captain of the Dolphins. He scored 740 runs at an average of 67.27 in the Sunfoil Series, including two tons and five half-centuries.
‘These are the players we are looking at as future leaders and we are excited to see them develop in this role,’ CSA selection convener Linda Zondi said.
‘Although Aiden hasn’t captained at franchise level, he has been a player we have eyed since his role as captain of the world cup winning SA U19 side. Khaya captained the Dolphins for the first time this season, and along with being one of the leading run-scorers, has shown leadership qualities that we would like to develop.’
Zondi says the four-day series will be an opportunity to scout some of the fringe players ahead of the four-Test series against England starting in July.
‘The four-day series will give us an opportunity to see how some of the players who are on the fringes of the Test squad perform in England ahead of the four-test series,’ Zondi commented. “We still have time to finalise the Test team, so that series can give us some pointers before we finalise the Test squad.’
Dale Steyn, whose last Test was against Australia in Perth last year November, will look to prove himself as selectors keep an eye on his fitness and his form for the England tour.
Temba Bavuma did not receive a County Cricket or IPL contract as some of his compatriots have, and will look to gain some rhythm for SA A to prepare himself for the England Test series.
South Africa ‘A’ squad for 50-over series against England Lions: Reeza Hendricks (Lions), Jon-Jon Smuts (Warriors), Aiden Markram (Titans), Temba Bavuma (Lions), Theunis de Bruyn (Knights), Khaya Zondo – captain (Dolphins), Heino Kuhn (Titans), Dwaine Pretorius (Lions), Mangaliso Mosehle -wk (Lions), Sisanda Magala (Warriors), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans), Lungisani Ngidi (Titans), Duanne Olivier (Knights), Junior Dala (Titans), Dane Paterson (Cape Cobras).
South Africa ‘A’ squad for four-day series against England Lions: Heino Kuhn (Titans), Aiden Markram- captain (Titans), Theunis de Bruyn (Knights), Temba Bavuma (Lions), Khaya Zondo (Dolphins), Jason Smith (Cape Cobras), Heinrich Klaasen – wk (Titans), Dwaine Pretorius (Lions), Rudi Second (Knights), Dane Piedt (Cape Cobras), Lungisani Ngidi (Titans), Dane Paterson (Cape Cobras), Duanne Olivier (Knights), Junior Dala (Titans), Beuran Hendricks (Cape Cobras), Dale Steyn (Cape Cobras).
South Africa ‘A’ tour to UK itinerary:
Sat 27 May 1-day v County Headingley, Leeds
Mon 29 May 1-day v County The 3aaa County Ground, Derby
Thu 1 June 1st A ODI v England Lions Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Sat 3 June 2nd A ODI v England Lions Northampton
Mon 5 June 3rd A ODI v England Lions (D/N) Northampton
8-11 June 4-day v Hampshire Ageas Bowl, Southampton
14-17 June 4-day v Sussex Arundel (v Duke of Norfolk XI if Sussex in RL play-offs)
21-24 June ‘A’ Test v Lions The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury
