DURBAN, Dec 29: Fast bowler Monde Zondeki has won a place in South Africa’s squad for next year’s World Cup but there is no place for middle-order batsman Neil McKenzie.

Zondeki, 20, burst on to the South African domestic scene this season after two seasons of relative obscurity. He has played just 13 first class matches and made his international debut in the fifth One-day International against Sri Lanka in Bloemfontein this month.

McKenzie, 27, seemed certain to play in the Cup before he was dropped from the squad to play in the Morocco Cup in August.

Since then, despite the experience he has gained in his 26 Test matches and 51 One-day Internationals, McKenzie has struggled to keep his place.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to represent your country at the World Cup, and I’m sure every one of you knows that,” South Africa captain Shaun Pollock told his players after the squad was announced on Sunday.

“It will be even more so because the tournament is going to be held in our country.”

The hosts face West Indies in the opening match of the World Cup on Feb 9.

South Africa squad: Shaun Pollock (captain), Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Boeta Dippenaar, Allan Donald, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener, Charl Langeveldt, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Jonty Rhodes, Monde Zondeki.—Reuters