SA leaves out Morne from Champions’ Trophy squad

Tsotsobe returns to the side after overcoming a long-term injury for the elite ICC event scheduled from September 22 to October 5 in the Wanderers Stadium and SuperSport Park.

Commenting on the squad,selection committee convenor Mike Procter said it was not an easy decision.

“There were some difficult choices to make. At the moment South African cricket is blessed with an abundance of fast bowling talent with the emergence of Tsotsobe and Wayne Parnell as outstanding new prospects and Charl Langeveldt becoming available again,” he said.

“Langeveldt is not fit enough yet to be considered after his shoulder surgery and Morne Morkel is the unlucky one to miss out,” Procter said.

Procter said Morkel remains in the radar for the team’s long-term plans but the pacer has to be more consistent.

“He is very much part of our long-term planning and has a major role to play but we would like to see more consistency from him at this stage,” he said.

Dwelling on the strength of the side,Procter said,“The selection panel attaches great value to experience which is well illustrated by the mentoring role Makhaya Ntini has fulfilled with Tsotsobe. Bringing players like Tsotsobe,Parnell and Roelof van der Merwe into a winning culture has also enabled them to mature as international cricketers quickly.

“We have four quality spin bowlers and two all-rounders in Kallis and Albie Morkel to back up the seam attack. There is also batting potential most of the way down the order,” he said.

The squad will assemble in Potchefstroom at the end of the month for a six-day camp that will include two practice matches against the Highveld Lions.

Squad: Graeme Smith (c),Johan Botha (v-c),Hashim Amla,Mark Boucher,AB de Villiers,JP Duminy,Herschelle Gibbs,Jacques Kallis,Albie Morkel,Makhaya Ntini,Wayne Parnell,Robin Peterson,Dale Steyn,Lonwabo Tsotsobe,Roelof van der Merwe.