Four fresh faces for Proteas

27 May 2015 12:01

South Africa have handed Test call-ups to four uncapped players ahead of their tour of Bangladesh.

AB de Villiers has been allowed to skip the series - which begins with two Twenty20 internationals in July - owing to the birth of his first child, meaning his run of 98 consecutive Tests will end.

With a two-Test series set for late July, the Proteas have therefore given opportunities to Reeza Hendricks, Dane Vilas, Aaron Phangiso and Kagiso Rabada.

For the three one-day internationals, South Africa have largely retained the squad that went to the World Cup earlier this year, with the exception of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander, who are rested.

Chris Morris and Ryan McLaren have been called up in their places, while leg-spinner Eddie Leie has been given a maiden call-up to the T20 squad.

Cricket South Africa selection convener Andrew Hudson said: "The changes have been brought about partly by the retirement of Alviro Petersen and the non-availability of AB de Villiers who has been granted paternity leave.

"Reeza and Stiaan van Zyl are both options to open the batting and Stiaan can also be used in AB's batting position in the middle-order.

"Dane provides us with the wicketkeeping cover that would normally also be AB's responsibility.

"Aaron gives us a left-arm spin bowling option and we see this as the ideal opportunity to involve Kagiso in the Test team environment once again, so he will be the back-up fast bowling option."

Source: PA