AB de Villiers makes a comeback in the South Africa ODI team

Cricket South Africa (CSA) today announced the South African ODI squad for the upcoming 5-match ODI series at home against Sri Lanka. Skipper AB de Villiers is making a comeback into the ODI side after more than 6 months. He will also play the last T20I of the series to mark his comeback to international cricket.  Pacer Chris Morris has also recovered from the injury and has been named in the squad as well.

Though AB is has returned fast bowling duo of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel continued to remain unavailable for selection as they haven’t yet recovered from their respective injuries. Right-arm fast bowler Lungi Ngidi who made his debut in the ongoing T20I series against the Lankans and impressed with his bowling has also been called up in the 50 overs squad.

“We have chosen this squad for the first three games only,” CSA selection convener, Linda Zondi said. “It is wonderful to have AB back available both as player and leader. We are entering a very important phase of our preparation for the Champions Trophy Tournament in England as we only have 10 games left the five here against Sri Lanka and another five in New Zealand before we head for another major ICC event.

“The ODI squad is in very good space at the moment after the clean sweep over Australia, but Sri Lanka will pose another stiff challenge.

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“Ngidi has been rewarded for his excellent form in the current KFC T20 International Series and we are keen to see how he goes in the 50 overs format. He has not only impressed with the wickets he has taken and the skills he has displayed but with the energy and intensity he has brought to his game as well.

Despite being hit by a list of names exiting South African cricket via Kolpak deals the CSA has been able to find replacements and if performances in the T20I series is any indication there is certainly no dearth in the pool of talent available in their domestic cricket.

“The emergence of players such as Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kesh Maharaj and Dwaine Pretorius show just how well our development pipeline and our franchise system is working,” Zondi concluded saying.

Standard Bank Proteas ODI squad: 

AB de Villiers (C), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi