South Africa picked uncapped fast bowler Beuran Hendricks on Monday for the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh next month.
The 23-year-old left-arm seamer made his first squad after excelling in the domestic T20 competition and earning an IPL contract with Mumbai Indians. Big-hitting allrounder Albie Morkel was recalled for the 20-over World Cup having last played for South Africa in the previous World T20 in October 2012.
Faf du Plessis was captain of a 15—man squad that didn’t contain former skipper Graeme Smith or allrounder Jacques Kallis. Smith no longer plays T20 cricket and Kallis retired from tests last year, when he said he will now focus on playing for the 50—over team in the hope of making that World Cup in 2015.
Regulars Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel were picked, as was exciting new wicketkeeper—batsman Quinton de Kock and middle—order hitter David Miller. Legspinner Imran Tahir and left—armer Aaron Phangiso are the spin options.
“Beuran’s claims could not be ignored and the experience that Albie will bring on board is important for a high—profile tournament of this nature,” head selector Andrew Hudson said in a statement. “As always, there are unlucky players but we feel we have chosen the right combination for the conditions we are likely to encounter on the sub-continent.”
South Africa will play a three-game T20 series against the visiting Australians next month before traveling to Bangladesh on March 15. South Africa opens against Sri Lanka on March 22 and is also grouped with England, New Zealand and one other qualifier.
Team: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
