DURBAN, Nov 26: Justin Kemp’s explosive batting in One-day Internationals has earned him a place in South Africa’s Test squad for next month’s tour of Australia.

All-rounder Kemp, 28, played the last of his three Tests against the West Indies in Jamaica in April 2001.

His international career stalled after he admitted to smoking cannabis on that tour.

“Justin Kemp received the nod from the selectors after displaying the character needed at international level during his one-day performances in the past year,” selection convenor Haroon Lorgat was quoted as saying in a Cricket South Africa media release on Saturday.

Kemp forced his way back into the limelight last season when he scored 80 off 50 balls in East London to help South Africa clinch the one-day series against England.

He was also in impressive form during South Africa’s successful one-day series against New Zealand. Kemp scored 73 runs off 64 balls in one match against the Kiwis, and 30 off 19 balls in another.

All-rounder Andrew Hall, playing in the one-day side currently in India, was not included in the Test squad.

“I really do feel for a player like Andrew who always performs with passion and does not deserve to be left behind,” Lorgat said.

“But we opted for a 14-man squad with (Jacques) Kallis and (Shaun) Pollock as our all rounders and the rest, specialists.”

Uncapped fast bowler Garnett Kruger, 28, won a place at the expense of Monde Zondeki.

Kruger took 37 wickets at an average of 20.10 in five domestic first-class matches for the Highveld Lions this season.

Left-arm spinner Nicky Boje retained his place despite opting out of South Africa’s tour to India over fears he would be detained in connection with police investigations into match-fixing.

South Africa and Australia meet in Perth on Dec 16 in the first of three Tests. The remaining Tests will be played in Melbourne (Dec 26-30) and Sydney (Jan 2-6).

Squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Nicky Boje, Mark Boucher, A.B. de Villiers, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Justin Kemp, Garnett Kruger, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph.—Reuters