JOHANNESBURG, Aug 29: Veteran opener Gary Kirsten has been dropped from the South African squad to play in the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka next month.

Kirsten was named in the original squad, announced while South Africa were playing in the Morocco Cup in Tangiers earlier this month.

However, his paltry return of 58 runs from three matches in that tournament, 55 of them scored in one innings, has cost him his place in the side after 177 One-day Internationals.

Kirsten, 34, faces the prospect of winning back his place before the World Cup, in February and March next year, by way of domestic matches and if he is selected for South Africa ‘A’ in the seven one-day games they will play against a touring Australia ‘A’ team in September.

“We feel that Gary has a better chance of batting his way back into the mainstream playing in home conditions against Australia ‘A’ than he would in Sri Lanka,” selection convenor Omar Henry said in a United Cricket Board (UCB) statement.

Kirsten was named in the South Africa ‘A’ squad announced on Thursday to play in the first three games against Australia ‘A’.

Medium pacer Roger Telemachus was also axed from the Champions Trophy squad although his omission was “a precautionary measure for medical reasons”, the UCB release said. Telemachus looked out of condition in Morocco, taking three wickets at 48.66 and conceding 7.30 runs an over.

Kirsten’s place in the South African squad is taken by middle order batsman Dale Benkenstein, a former South Africa ‘A’ captain who has played 20 One-day Internationals. Swing bowler Alan Dawson, who has four one-day caps, comes in for Telemachus.

“Both of these players have a proven track record in the sub-continent and we believe they will be very well-suited to the conditions in Sri Lanka,” Henry said.

The South Africa A squad includes Test fast bowlers Mfuneko Ngam and Mornantau Hayward, and all-rounder Justin Kemp, who all return from lengthy injury layoffs.

Squads:

South Africa (for ICC Champions Trophy): Shaun Pollock (captain), Dale Benkenstein, Nicky Boje, Mark Boucher, Alan Dawson, Boeta Dippenaar, Allan Donald, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener, Makhaya Ntini, Justin Ontong, Jonty Rhodes, Graeme Smith.

South Africa ‘A’ (for first three one-day matches against Australia ‘A’): Neil McKenzie (captain), Loots Bosman, Steve Elworthy, Andrew Hall, Mornantau Hayward, Justin Kemp, Gary Kirsten, Andre Nel, Mfuneko Ngam, Robin Peterson, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Errol Stewart, David Terbrugge, Thami Tsolikile, Martin van Jaarsveld.—Reuters