Pakistan-born right-arm leg spinner Imran Tahir has been named in South Africa’s 14-man squad to take on India in the five-match One Day International series which gets underway on 12 January 2011.He along with Faf du Plessis are the two uncapped players in the Proteas ODI squad. On the other hand, veteran South African batsman Jacques Kallis has been excluded from the squad because of the side-strain he faced in the third Test against India at Cape Town.
Even after some impressive performances against the Indians, Mark Boucher fails to find a spot in the ODI line-up, which means that AB de Villiers would continue to have the additional responsibilities of keeping wickets for the Proteas.
South African convenor of selectors Andrew Hudson said, “Both Plessis and Tahir had outstanding campaigns in the MTN40 and we are looking forward to see how they take their game up to the next level.”
Imran Tahir was given the permanent citizenship of South Africa recently and was immediately drafted in the South African ODI squad. South African bowling has always missed the x-factor in shape of a wrist spinner but Tahir is likely to fill this gap as his first-class career suggests. He has played his entire junior cricket representing Pakistan but the lack of opportunity led to his migration.
Kallis’ injury has made sure that the left-handed middle-order batsman David Miller retains his place in the South African ODI setup. Miller had a mixed series against Pakistan in United Arab Emirates.
Tahir is among 5 men in the Proteas line-up who can bowl spin. The other four are Johan Botha, Robin Peterson, JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis. This appears to be South Africa’s attempt to prepare themselves for the upcoming ICC World Cup in the subcontinent.
Here is a list of the 14-man squad announced by Cricket South Africa.
Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha (vice captain), AB de Villiers (wicketkeeper), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Petersen, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
