De Lange and Petersen added to SA squad
Talented young fast bowler Marchant de Lange and former opening batsman Alviro Petersen have been named in South Africa’s squad for the first test against Sri Lanka to be played in Centurion from December 15.
De Lange is just 21 years old and has played only 14 first-class matches, but has impressed in his first full season with the Easterns Titans and took five for 56 for South Africa A in Australia’s first innings in their tour match in Potchefstroom a month ago.
“De Lange has really impressed all with his pace and potential and he took full advantage of his opportunity against Australia for the South Africa A squad,” selection convenor Andrew Hudson said in a statement released by Cricket South Africa on Tuesday.
The national academy graduate and former javelin thrower is currently battling with a dislocated thumb and Hudson suggested his call-up is more about him gaining experience with the national squad than actually playing in the test.
“There is some doubt about whether he will recover in time from his thumb injury but, even if that is the case, he will learn a great deal just from being part of the national squad environment,” Hudson said.
Petersen is back in the squad after being left out for the two tests against Australia last month. His replacement, Jacques Rudolph, scored 86 runs in four innings, but can bat anywhere in the order.
Top-order batsman Hashim Amla is struggling with a forearm injury and Petersen will provide cover for him as well.
Batsman JP Duminy, left-arm spinner Paul Harris and seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe, none of whom played in the Australia series, have been left out of the 13-man squad, but Hudson hinted that they could return for the second and third tests against Sri Lanka.
“This squad has been chosen for the first Test match only and it is likely that we may choose a slightly bigger squad for the following two Test matches over the festive period at Kingsmead and Newlands,” Hudson said.
South Africa are hosting Sri Lanka for the first time since 2002/3, when they won both tests. The teams have met twice in Sri Lanka since then, with Sri Lanka winning both series.
The second test will start in Durban on Boxing Day, with the third and final match being played in Cape Town from January 3.
Squad – Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher, Marchant de Lange, Imran Tahir, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Alviro Petersen, Vernon Philander, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Dale Steyn.