South Africa vs Australia 2018: South Africa name Chris Morris and Duanne Olivier in squad for final two Tests
In an attempt to cover all bases and put themselves in the best position to seal the ongoing four-match series against Australia, South Africa have added pacer Duanne Olivier and all-rounder Chris Morris to the squad for the final two Tests.
"Circumstances have forced us to name a large squad at this stage so that we can cover all possible options," explained Linda Zondi, CSA National Selection Panel Convener. "Once we have finalised our playing XI we will release players to their franchises for the final round of the Sunfoil Series.
"We have retained the 15 players who produced an excellent performance to level the Test Series in Port Elizabeth. Olivier was the pick of our bowlers for South Africa A in their tour match against Australia while Morris has been in excellent form in domestic cricket, taking four wickets in an innings and making more than 150 runs, including a century, for the Titans in the Sunfoil Series against the league-leading Warriors," he added.
Australia comfortably outclassed the hosts in the first Test at Kingsmead, but South Africa hit back hard at Port Elizabeth to level the series. However, despite the win, it's not all a bed of roses for the Proteas, who are sweating on the availability of spearhead Kagiso Rabada.
Rabada was hit with a level 2 sanction for his conduct in the second Test and could miss the remainder of the series depending on the outcome of his appeal scheduled for March 19. If Rabada does miss out, Olivier could be in line for a start, which would be just his sixth in whites for his nation.
The 25-year-old has hit a purple patch of sorts of late for his franchise, Knights, and also starred in the tour game against the Australians, dismissing the likes of Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh amongst others.
Morris, meanwhile, had a fairly substandard series with the ball against India, but struck form in the domestic circuit with the bat, compiling a century for the Titans against the Warriors.
While the two new additions have increased the squad size to 17, CSA are expected to release a few players once they zone in on the final XI.
The third Test begins on 22nd at Cape Town.
South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungisani Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada