June 08, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 22, 1428

DURBAN (South Africa), June 7: All-rounder Jacques Kallis will lead a new-look South African squad on a short tour to Ireland this month. Kallis will stand in as captain for Graeme Smith, who is recovering from a knee operation and will miss the tour.

All-rounder Shaun Pollock, who is currently playing in the Afro-Asia Cup in India, was not considered, a Cricket South Africa statement said on Thursday.

South Africa will play one match against Ireland and three against India in the Belfast tournament.

Selection convenor Haroon Lorgat said South Africa wanted to use the event to experiment with their player options. “Following the World Cup and the timing of this tour it is an ideal time to develop new talent as we prepare for the future.”

The squad includes two uncapped players in all-rounder Vernon Philander and off-spinner Thandi Tshabalala, who toured Sri Lanka last year but did not play.

Relatively inexperienced international players including batsman J-P Duminy, fast bowler Dale Steyn and wicket-keeper Morne van Wyk have also been selected.

The tournament starts on June 23 and ends on July 1.

Squad: Jacques Kallis (captain), Mark Boucher, A.B. de Villiers, J-P Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Thandi Tshabalala, Morne van Wyk.—Reuters