Uncapped Van der Dussen gets Proteas ODI call

Highveld Lions batsman Rassie van der Dussen was named as the only new cap in the Proteas 14-man squad for the first two ODIs of the five-match series against Pakistan to be played later this month.

There is also a recall for fast bowler Dane Paterson, who has not played for the Proteas in this format since his debut series against Bangladesh in 2017, while Hashim Amla, who missed the most recent series in Australia towards the end of last year through injury, returns to the squad.

JP Duminy and Lungi Ngidi could not be considered because of injury.

Farhaan Behardien, Aiden Markram and Chris Morris were all left out from the last squad that beat the Aussies 2-1 in a three-match Down Under late year.

South Africa selection convener Linda Zondi said: “We need to look at all the options available to us as we get closer to selecting our final squad for this year’s World Cup and Rassie and Dane are two players who have been knocking strongly on the door in all formats.

“Those players who went to Australia and have not been selected for the first two matches – Farhaan Behardien, Aiden Markram and Chris Morris – are by no means out of the picture and they may well get further opportunities in the second half of the series.

“We are very happy with the way in which our Vision 2019 is taking shape.

“The series against Pakistan could not have come at a better time as they will provide a very stern test for the Proteas under conditions very similar to what we will experience at the World Cup,” concluded Zondi.

The squad will then be revised for the remaining three matches of the series.

The first ODI against Pakistan takes place in Port Elizabeth on 19 January.

Proteas ODI squad: Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen