South Africa vs India 2018: South Africa announce squad for first three ODIs
South Africa Cricket announced their squad for the first three ODIs of the six-match series against India. Captained by Faf du Plessis, the unit consists of 14 members, with two uncapped players in the form of Lungi Ngidi and Khayelihle Zondo.
Cricket South Africa's National Selection Panel Convener, Linda Zondi, spoke about the team selection, specifically on the inclusion of the 27-year-old Zondo and pacer Ngidi.
“This is a continuation of vision 2019 as we develop our squad for the 2019 ICC World Cup in England. Lungi has achieved a remarkable double in being named Man of the Match on both his T20 and Test match debuts and he now gets the chance to show what he can do in the 50 overs format".
Ngidi pulled out a top performance on his Test debut against India in the second Test, having come into the side as a replacement for the injured Dale Steyn. He took six wickets in the second innings of the 2nd Test.
“Khaya has been on the fringes of selection for some time now which included leading the South Africa A side on their recent 50 overs campaign against the England Lions. He forms part of our vision to give opportunities to fringe players and we will continue this policy throughout the build-up to the World Cup".
“It is good to have both Morne and Chris back in the squad as the 2019 World Cup is little more than a year away now,” Zondi added.
The six-match series begins right after the conclusion of the third Test, with the first ODI slotted to be held on the 1st of February at Durban. The ODI series will be followed by a three-match T20I series.
Here's the entire squad:
Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Khayelihle Zondo