TANGIERS, Aug 16: South African selection chief Omar Henry has confirmed his country’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka, although clearly unhappy at having to do so almost a month before the tournament begins.
Speaking in Tangiers where South Africa are playing a triangular tournament against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, Henry said Thursday: “It has been almost impossible to select a squad so far in advance, especially with us having played so little cricket.
“It would have been better for us to name a larger squad and then reduce it closer to the tournament.”
Spinner Paul Adams has been jettisoned from the squad in Morocco in order to reduce it to the necessary 14. Five players have been named as being on standby, including Adams.
The Champions Trophy starts on Sept 12 in Colombo.
Squad: Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Jonty Rhodes, Justin Ontong, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Nicky Boje, Allan Donald, Makhaya Ntini, Roger Telemachus.
Standby players: Neil McKenzie, Justin Kemp, Steve Elworthy, Paul Adams, Loots Bosman.
COLOMBO: The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Friday approved the squad, chosen by National Selection Committee, and officials to represent Sri Lanka in ICC Champions Cricket Trophy 2002, to be played in Colombo, from Sept 12-30.
Squad: Sanath Jayasuriya (Captain), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Aravinda De Silva, Russel Arnold, Hasantha Fernando, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Upul Chandana, T.M. Dilshan, Pulasthi Guneratne and Kumar Dharmasena.
Manager: Air Commodore Ajith Jayasekera. Cricket: Advisor Duleep Mendis. Coach: Dav Whatmore. Physiotherapist: Alex Kountouri.
LONDON: Sussex fast bowler James Kirtley’s chances of appearing in next year’s World Cup received a boost Friday after he was named as Darren Gough’s replacement in England’s squad for next month’s ICC Champions’ Trophy tournament.
Kirtley feared his chances for next year’s tournament in South Africa had gone when he was overlooked for the original squad, with captain Nasser Hussain indicating there would be few changes between now and the World Cup.
But following another setback in Gough’s attempts to overcome his knee problems this season, Kirtley has been called up as a replacement for the three-week tournament in Colombo.
His call-up completes an eventful opening year in international cricket for the 27-year-old seamer.
He appeared a certainty for the World Cup after impressing during the opening four matches of this summer’s one-day triangular tournament against India and Sri Lanka.
But just as he seemed to be establishing himself, Kirtley broke his right hand during training in the nets at Old Trafford and was ruled out for six weeks and by the time he returned, England had already named their squad for the Sri Lanka competition.—AFP/PPI/Reuters