Tabraiz Shamsi makes his way into the Proteas ODI squad

Chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi has been named in the South African squad for the tri-series in the Caribbean next month. Shamsi joined the list of players who shot to limelight after their stint in the IPL. Taking no credit away from the bowler, he was influential with the ball in the Caribbean Premier League as well.

Having a beforehand knowledge of playing in the conditions in the West Indies must have worked for the left-arm spinner. The 26-year old would become the 116th player to represent South Africa in ODI format. The South African team was announced for the tri-series and specialist spinners were named in the squad. The tri-series involve Australia, South Africa and West Indies.

“We have opted for three specialist spinners as we anticipate the pitches in the Caribbean to be on the slow side,” commented CSA selection committee convener, Linda Zondi. “Tabraiz has certainly earned his call-up following outstanding form both in our domestic cricket and in some of the major domestic T20 leagues including the Caribbean Premier League. “He has shown what he can do in the T20 leagues against international batsmen. I am quite excited about the state of our spin bowling and the variety we have. We are sending two wrist spinners to the Caribbean plus left-arm and right-arm finger spin options. Spin bowling is becoming an increasingly important part of both limited overs formats and we are only just over a year away from the ICC Champions Trophy Tournament in England.”

Speedster Dale Steyn has been rested for the tour while pacer Wayne Parnell is making his comeback to the team. Faf du Plessis has also been named in the squad despite sustaining a finger injury during the IPL.

“Wayne has the ability to become a quality all-rounder for us and, like Tabraiz, he is being rewarded for outstanding domestic form,” concluded Zondi.

“In the short term our immediate focus must be to get back among the top ranked Test nations and for this reason we are resting Dale Steyn for this tour. He is vital to our ambitions in the longest format and he is going to have a heavy workload in the months ahead with home and away series against New Zealand, a home series against Sri Lanka and an away Test series in Australia which is where we need to perform,” explained Zondi. “He is certainly not out of the ODI picture and could well feature in the home series against Australia later this year.”

South Africa ODI squad:

AB de Villiers (c), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi.

All that you need to know about Shamsi – 13 Facts about Tabraiz Shamsi: The new mystery spinner on the block