South Africa name three uncapped players for England series

LONDON (Reuters) - South Africa have named three uncapped players in their squad for the four-match test series against England next month, including in-form opener Heino Kuhn.

All-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo, who played in the recent 2-1 Twenty20 International series loss in England, has also been included for the first time, along with batsman Aiden Markram.

Kuhn and Phehlukwayo take the places of Stephen Cook and Wayne Parnell, while Markram has been added as cover for captain Faf du Plessis, whose wife is expecting their first child around the time of the first test at Lord's that starts on July 6.

The 33-year-old Kuhn is having a prolific summer in England with the South African A side after scoring 200 not out against Hampshire in a first-class fixture and following that up with 105 against England Lions.

The experienced Kuhn also provides cover for wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, and has featured in seven Twenty20 Internationals.

Cricket South Africa convenor of selectors Linda Zondi suggested that the choice of Phehlukwayo was with one eye on the future.

“Andile’s selection is a continuation of our drive to develop bowling all-rounders for the test team. He and Chris Morris will fill this role in support of Vernon Philander. At the age of 21 he is certainly one for the future,” Zondi said.

Squad:

Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis (captain), JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Heino Kuhn, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Duanne Olivier, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

(Reporting by Nick Said, editing by Ed Osmond)