Cape Town - Wayne Parnell is back in the Proteas squad, while spinner Tabraiz Shamsi is set to make his ODI debut in the Caribbean in June.
Cricket South Africa announced a 15-man squad on Friday for a triangular series against the West Indies and Australia in June, and opted to pick three specialist spinners in Shamsi, Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso for the expected slow pitch conditions.
Fast bowler Dale Steyn is being rested for the series to preserve him for Test battles against New Zealand, Australia and Sri Lanka later in the year.
But selection convenor Linda Zondi said in a statement that Steyn was “certainly not out of the ODI picture and could well feature in the home series against Australia later this year”, but that they view him as “vital” to the Proteas’ bid to get back to the top of the Test rankings.
But it is the return of Parnell that is exciting after he missed out on the ICC World T20 earlier this year. The Cape Cobras all-rounder has been in excellent form in the domestic One-Day Cup, and will provide that much-needed left-arm pace and swing to bring variety to the South African attack.
Parnell last featured for his country at the 50-over World Cup Down Under, although he didn’t have much of a look-in at the time. “Wayne has the ability to become a quality all-rounder for us and, like Tabraiz, he is being rewarded for outstanding domestic form,” Zondi said.
The rise of Shamsi is not totally unexpected as he was also unfortunate not to make the trip to India for the World T20. A left-arm wrist-spinner, Shamsi’s bag of tricks and skill has seen him become an integral part of the Titans line-up over the last few years.
The 26-year-old was recently signed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL as a replacement for Samuel Badree, but his experience in the West Indies – having played in the Caribbean T20 Premier League before – would’ve worked in his favour as well.
“We have opted for three specialist spinners as we anticipate the pitches in the Caribbean to be on the slow side,” Zondi said. “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.”
Senior batsman Faf du Plessis has been included despite nursing a broken finger, with Proteas team doctor and manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee explaining that the right-hander has had a successful operation, and will be available from the second match in the triangular.
South Africa’s first match is against the West Indies on June 3 in Guyana.
Proteas ODI Squad
AB de Villiers (Titans, captain), Kyle Abbott (Warriors), Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras), Farhaan Behardien (Titans), Quinton de Kock (Titans, WK), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Imran Tahir (Dolphins), Morné Morkel (Titans), Chris Morris (Titans), Wayne Parnell (Cape Cobras), Aaron Phangiso (Highveld Lions), Kagiso Rabada (Highveld Lions), Rilee Rossouw (Knights), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans).
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