Morris returns for Proteas limited-overs tour to Australia

Chris Morris returns from injury to the Proteas squad for the three-match ODI series and the one-off T20I to be played in Australia at the end of this month.

Morris was sidelined by injury for the most recent series against Sri Lanka but had been a regular selection for the Proteas in white-ball cricket previously, having played in 14 ODIs in 2017 and all five against India at the start of this year.

The 31-year-old has been in good form for the Titans recently in domestic cricket, taking 12 wickets in two first-class games.

There are also recalls to the Proteas squad for batting allrounders, Farhaan Behardien and Dwaine Pretorius.

South Africa have lost the services of Hashim Amla and JP Duminy through injury while Wian Mulder is also sidelined with a knock.

“Chris confirmed his fitness with his excellent form for the Multiply Titans in the first two rounds of the 4-Day Domestic Series,” commented Proteas selection convener Linda Zondi.

“He is the leading wicket-taker in this competition to date and also adds value as a batting option in the lower-order.

“With Wiaan Mulder ruled out at the moment through injury we need to look at our resources as far as batting allrounder options are concerned and Dwaine, in particular, fits into this category.

“We have also lost a lot of experience in our specialist batting order through the injuries to Hashim Amla and JP Duminy, and Farhaan gives us another experienced option in the top order.”

The tour is also another opportunity for players to stake a claim for selection for the World Cup next year with the likes of Heinrich Klaasen and Reeza Hendricks hoping to build on their recent performances against Zimbabwe.

“We feel that we got quite a lot out of the Zimbabwe series, notably the form of Imran Tahir and the return of Dale Steyn to his very best.

“Heinrich Klaasen took his chances well both with bat and behind the stumps and the same applies to a lesser extent to Reeza Hendricks in a series in which batting was not easy.

“We are confident that our Vision 2019 strategy for the ICC World Cup is progressing along the right lines,” concluded Zondi.

Proteas ODI squad: Faf du Plessis (capt), Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungisani Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn