JOHANNESBURG: Batt­ing stars David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen were on Thursday named in South Africa’s squad for four T20Is against India next month.

The first match will be in Durban on Nov 8. The other three games will be staged in Gqeberha (Nov 10), Centurion (Nov 13) and Johannesburg (Nov 15).

Also returning will be left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.

All four missed a shared series against Ireland in September because they were playing in professional franchise leagues.

Coach Rob Walter anno­unced a near full strength squad although fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will be rested ahead of four home Test matches South Africa will play this season.

Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee was included after recovering from a side strain injury.

The squad includes two uncapped players in all-rounders Mihlali Mpong­wana and Andile Simelane.

In addition to Rabada, missing from the team that played in the T20 World Cup final will be Quinton de Kock and Anrich Nortje, who are no longer contracted to Cricket South Africa, and left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi.

Walter said Nortje was available for selection.

“It was a tough decision but I wanted to prioritise giving opportunities to you­nger fast bowlers,” he said. Walter said De Kock, 31, was not considered.

Squad: Aiden Markram (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Patrick Kruger, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla (third and fourth matches only), Tristan Stubbs.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2024