Proteas name squads, as AB decides ‘once and for all his retirement will remain final’

File image: Marco Jansen.

The squads for South Africa’s tours of the West Indies and Ireland later this year have been confirmed.

Former captain AB de Villiers has not been included in the Test or T20I squads. De Villiers retired from international cricket in 2018 – and has been playing in domestic T20 tournaments such as the Indian Premier League, Australia’s Big Bash League and others since.

“Discussions with de Villiers have concluded with the batsman deciding once and for all, that his retirement will remain final,” read a brief statement from Cricket South Africa.

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The uncapped Prenelan Subrayen has been named in the Test squad. The Dolphins spinner was prolific during the 2020-21 4-Day Domestic Series.

Fast bowlers Lizaad Williams and Marco Jansen have also been included in the Test squad. Williams and Jansen represent Northerns and Eastern Province, respectively. Jansen recently played for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

“This is a massive outing for the Proteas. We have a fully fit team with an exciting balance of youth and experience. The selection panel is confident that it has put together an exciting and excited, young group of cricketers,” said CSA convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang.

“The Caribbean is well known for its low and slow wickets and we have ensured that we have chosen the personnel needed for every eventuality on this very important excursion.

“While there aren’t any ICC World Test Championship points to play for, it is still of vital importance for South Africa to produce winning results through a steadily growing and high-performing cricket pipeline.

Batsman Faf du Plessis, who has retired from Tests but is still available for limited-overs cricket, was excluded, too.

“The selection panel felt he was not required for this tour but that does not exclude him for selection for the T20 World Cup,” added Mpitsang.

Test squad for tour of West Indies

  • Dean Elgar (captain)
  • Temba Bavuma (vice-captain)
  • Quinton de Kock
  • Sarel Erwee
  • Beuran Hendricks
  • George Linde
  • Keshav Maharaj
  • Lungi Ngidi
  • Aiden Markram
  • Wiaan Mulder
  • Anrich Nortje
  • Keegan Peterson
  • Kagiso Rabada
  • Rassie van der Dussen
  • Kyle Verreynne
  • Tabraiz Shamsi
  • Lizaad Williams
  • Prenelan Subrayen
  • Marco Jansen

T20I squad for tour of West Indies

  • Temba Bavuma (captain)
  • Quinton de Kock
  • Bjorn Fortuin
  • Reeza Hendricks
  • Heinrich Klaasen
  • George Linde
  • Sisanda Magala
  • Janneman Malan
  • Aiden Markram
  • David Miller
  • Lungi Ngidi
  • Anrich Nortje
  • Andile Phehlukwayo
  • Dwaine Pretorius
  • Kagiso Rabada
  • Tabraiz Shamsi
  • Rassie van der Dussen
  • Kyle Verreynne
  • Lizaad Williams

The Proteas’ tour of the West Indies will comprise two Tests and five T20Is, from 10 June to 1 July 2021. It will be followed by three ODIs and as many T20Is in Ireland, from 11 to 25 July 2021.

“The historic tour to Ireland is crucial for points towards our qualification for the 2023 Cricket World Cup and preparation for the T20 World Cup later this year. This is the start of our road to these trophies and every tour will see us field our absolute best sides,” continued Mpitsang.

“The team has been in a rebuilding phase for a while now but we are satisfied that the return on investment is going to show itself sooner rather than later.

“We have to trust the process that has been put in place and support our team while they find themselves and their way. These are truly exciting times in South African cricket, with an exciting new leadership group that is determined to return the team back to its winning ways.”

Squad for ODIs and T20Is in Ireland

  • Temba Bavuma
  • Quinton de Kock
  • Bjorn Fortuin
  • Reeza Hendricks
  • Heinrich Klaasen
  • George Linde
  • Sisanda Magala
  • Keshav Maharaj
  • Janneman Malan
  • Aiden Markram
  • David Miller
  • Lungi Ngidi
  • Anrich Nortje
  • Andile Phehlukwayo
  • Dwaine Pretorius
  • Kagiso Rabada
  • Tabraiz Shamsi
  • Rassie van der Dussen
  • Kyle Verreynne
  • Lizaad Williams

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