Injured Kallis,uncapped Tahir named in SA World Cup squad

Defending the selection of Tahir as the only uncapped player in the side,convener Andrew Hudson said that he was a 'unique talent'.

Injured allrounder Jacques Kallis and uncapped leg-spinner Imran Tahir were today included but veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Mark Bouncher failed to find a place as South Africa announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming World Cup.

The 35-year-old Kallis was ruled out of the ongoing one-day series against India due to a right side muscle injury,but South Africa’s team management today expressed confidence that the veteran would get back to full fitness before the mega-event to be played in the sub-continent from February 19.

Pakistan-born Tahir also made the final cut after being cleared to play for South Africa in December 2010,while allrounder Faf du Plessis was also named in the elite squad.

Faf du Plessis,who made a fine half-century on debut against India in the third one-dayer yesterday,has been named in place of middle-order batsman David Miller.

Boucher and hard-hitting all-rounder Albie Morkel have also missed out on the final squad.,while Morne van Wyk is named as the backup wicketkeeper to A B de Villiers.

While Tahir,off-spinner Johan Botha and left-armer Robin Peterson forms South Africa’s spin attack on the spin-friendly pitches of the subcontinent,the fast bowling department includes Dale Steyn,Morne Morkel,Wayne Parnell and Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Defending the selection of Tahir as the only uncapped player in the side,convener Andrew Hudson said that he was a ‘unique talent’.

“We think he’s a unique talent,” said Hudson.

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“The selection of three specialist spin bowlers is essential for the conditions we expect to encounter at the World Cup and it’s not a worry that Tahir has not played an ODI yet. His record in domestic cricket speaks for itself. We know exactly what he offers us,” he added.

Meanwhile,seven specialist batsmen — captain Graeme Smith,Hashim Amla,A B de Villiers,J P Duminy,du Plessis,Colin Ingram,Kallis — have been picked to form the squad for the sporting extravaganza to be jointly hosted by India,Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

But only four players,captain Graeme Smith,Kallis,A B De Villiers and Robin Peterson were part of South Africa’s campaign in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies,where they reached the semi-finals.