Pacer Zondeki in SA squad for Windies

CAPE TOWN: Twenty-two-year-old fast bowler Monde Zondeki, only the third black player to represent South Africa since racial divisions in the game ended in 1991, has been included in a 15-man South Africa squad for their Test tour of the West Indies later this month. Zondeki’s selection is being seen as a reward for his outstanding performance in the recent series against Zimbabwe, where he finished with a nine-wicket match haul in the Second Test at Centurion, including six for 39 in the second innings.

He was recalled for that Test after Border team-mate Makhaya Ntini was rested. He had  previously made his Test debut against England at Leeds back in 2003. Twenty-seven-year-old left handed batsman Ashwell Prince has also been rewarded for his fine century against Zimbabwe, an unbeaten 139 also in the second Test at Centurion. Prince, one of two coloured players that currently represent South Africa, has had a chequered Test career after playing his first Test back in February 2002 against Australia. The team, which leaves for the West Indies on March 24, also includes Shaun Pollock and Ntini, both of whom were rested for the Second Test in Centurion.

They will head a fast bowling attack that comprises pacers Zondeki, Charl Langeveldt and Andre Nel. However, all selections are subject to fitness and South Africa have several injury concerns ahead of the trip with Langeveldt suffering with a lower-back, Nel with a left hamstring problem and Pollock’s ankle continuing to be a bother. Jacques Kallis, who is 55 runs and 19 wickets shy of 7,000 runs and 200 wickets in Tests, is also a worry with a hip injury.

“We have reached a point where we have a reasonably settled squad, and it is unfortunate that talented players like Dale Steyn, Thami Tsolekile, Hashim Amla and Zander de Bruyn had to be left out of the touring party,” Haroon Lorgat, South Africa’s convenor of selectors, said. “They all have the potential to succeed at the highest level.” The squad will spend three days preparing in Antigua before moving to Guyana for the First Test, scheduled for March 31-April 4 at Bourda, Guyana. Meanwhile, the squad for the five-match one-day series will be announced in April.

SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD: Graeme Smith (capt), Nicky Boje (vc), Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, JacquesKallis, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Monde Zondeki.