Home > Cricket > Reuters > Report
Klusener back in South Africa team
January 20, 2004 21:56 IST
Controversial South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener is to return to international cricket after being called up for the first two of five One-Day Internationals against the West Indies.
| Also Read | | |
|
Klusener, who has not played for South Africa since the 2003 World Cup, was included in a squad of 14 announced by the United Cricket Board on Tuesday. Klusener threatened to take the UCB to court after his contract was not renewed after the World Cup but an agreement was reached before the case was heard, with the Board agreeing to contract Klusener until April.
"We are delighted with the form he has shown for the [KwaZulu-Natal] Dolphins this season, and we are looking for him to continue that form with the national team," selection chief Omar Henry was quoted as saying in a UCB media release.
Klusener's return was all but forced on the selectors after all rounder Andrew Hall suffered a back injury while bowling on the fourth day of the fourth Test against the West Indies in Centurion on Monday.
Hall has been ruled out for up to six weeks.
The major omission from the squad was batsman Neil McKenzie, who played in all four Test matches against the West Indies.
McKenzie was named as captain of the South Africa A team to play a limited-overs tour match against the West Indies in Paarl on Friday.
The other casualties from the fourth Test squad were batsman Martin van Jaarsveld and left-arm wrist spinner Paul Adams. Batsman Gary Kirsten has retired from international one-day cricket.
The only uncapped player is all-rounder Albie Morkel, 22, who scored 132 and took five wickets in a three-day tour match against West Indies in Benoni two weeks ago.
The first two matches will be played in Cape Town on Sunday and in Port Elizabeth next Wednesday.
South Africa squad for first two one-dayers:
Graeme Smith (captain), Mark Boucher, Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener, Albie Morkel, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Morne van Wyk.
South Africa A team to play West Indies in Paarl on Friday:
Martin van Jaarsveld, Loots Bosman, Hashim Amla, Neil McKenzie (captain), Justin Ontong, Justin Kemp, Nicky Boje, Thami Tsolekile, Garnett Kruger, Mfuneko Ngam, Roger Telemachus.