Cape Town - Some transformation cynics may think that Andile Phehlukwayo’s nickname is appropriate to describe his inclusion in the Proteas ODI squad, but there’s nothing “Lucky” about his selection when you see the talent he possesses.
And he has put in the performances too. The Dolphins bowling all-rounder was one of three uncapped players announced by Cricket South Africa on Tuesday for the upcoming games against Ireland and Australia.
Test star Temba Bavuma has been given an opportunity to show what he can do in the shorter format and will feature against Ireland only on September 25 in Benoni, and the same applies to Lions all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius.
But right-arm seamer Phehlukwayo has also been picked for the Aussie five-match ODI series that begins on September 30 in Centurion. It is just reward for the 20-year-old’s display for South Africa A in a quadrangular series in Australia in recent weeks, where he was the leading wicket-taker in the team with nine.
Phehlukwayo is not a bad batsman either, although his first-class and List A statistics don’t back up his ability as a left-hander. But he has said in previous interviews that he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his first Dolphins coach, Lance Klusener, and if he gets to that level of performance soon, he could fix the Proteas’ all-rounder issues in the ODI side.
Phehlukwayo has the pedigree too, having played alongside Kagiso Rabada in the 2014 Under-19 World Cup that South Africa won in the United Arab Emirates.
He may have to wait for a playing opportunity, though, as both Wayne Parnell and Chris Morris have been included for the Ireland and Australia series. But the experienced pair haven’t really cemented places in the ODI side, and if that continues, it could see Phehlukwayo handed a chance in one of the six one-day games.
Dale Steyn and David Miller are the other new faces in the squad from the one that did duty in the Caribbean triangular a few months ago, with Morné Morkel (back injury) and Rilee Rossouw (shoulder) still not 100 percent fit. Captain AB de Villiers is also back after sitting out the New Zealand Test series with an elbow problem.
“Andile was our leading wicket-taker for South Africa A in the recently concluded quadrangular series in Australia and he has been knocking on the door for some time following his strong performances in last season’s One-Day Cup,” Proteas selection convenor Linda Zondi said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Both he and Dwaine have shown excellent form recently and the same applies to David Miller, who topped the batting averages in Australia for the SA A squad with the outstanding figures of 332 runs at an average of 110, with a strike rate of 93.
“Rilee Rossouw played two practices matches for the Knights at the weekend when he batted freely, but still had issues with his throwing and it will be beneficial for him to start his comeback in the Sunfoil Series.”
Proteas ODI squad (vs Ireland)
AB de Villiers (captain), Temba Bavuma, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada.
Proteas ODI Squad (vs Australia)
AB de Villiers (captain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn.
Proteas ODI Schedule
Sunday, September 25: Ireland, Benoni (10am)
Friday, September 30: Australia, Centurion (1.30pm)
Sunday, October 2: Australia, Wanderers (10am)
Wednesday, October 5: Australia, Kingsmead (1.30pm)
Sunday, October 9: Australia, St George’s Park (10am)
Wednesday, October 12: Australia, Newlands (1.30pm)
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