Steyn returns to ODI squad after two years for Zimbabwe tour, Miller axed

Dale Steyn returned to the South African ODI squad after two years with an eye on World Cup even as Cricket South Africa included three specialist spinners – Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj for the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe.  

Dale Steyn returned to the South African ODI squad after two years with an eye on World Cup even as Cricket South Africa included three specialist spinners – Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj for the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe.  

Steyn, who last played an ODI in October last year will lead the pace attack which includes Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi in the three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe.

Du Plessis, still nursing a shoulder injury, has been named as the captain of the side but his availability will be confirmed after he undergoes a fitness test. A replacement will be named along with a new captain if fails to clear the test.

“Faf continues to make a recovery from the shoulder injury he suffered in Sri Lanka,” commented Dr. Mohammed Moosajee, Proteas manager and team doctor. “It is a week by week case and a call will be made in due course,” he added.

The notable inclusion was of David Miller, who announced his retirement from first-class cricket a couple of days to prolong his limited-overs career.

Attacking batsman Khaya Zondo made a comeback into the side after emerging as South Africa A’s highest run-scorer in the Quadrangular series in India. The only new face in the side is Christiaan Jonker, who made his T20I debut against India earlier this year.

“The selection of Christiaan Jonker is part of the ongoing process of our Vision 2019,” commented CSA National Selection Panel (NSP) convener Linda Zondi. “He had an outstanding debut in the T20 format against India and we want to see whether he can convert that finishing form into the longer white-ball format as well.

Matthew Breetzke, the 19-year old from Grey High School, who recently toured with the Emerging squad to Sri Lanka, will be a non-playing member of the squad.

The rest of the side is pretty much the same that toured Sri Lanka with Reeza Hendricks and all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo holding onto their positions in the squad.

Rabada and Amla will not be a part of the two-match T20 series, which will be followed after the ODIs.

Opening batsmen Gihahn Cloete and Rassie van der Dussen are both in line for international debuts, while Robbie Frylinck and Junior Dala will also be part of the shortest formats. De Kock and Miller will be back for the T20s.

ODI squad: Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Christiaan Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Khaya Zondo

T20 squad: Faf du Plessis, Gihahn Cloete, Junior Dala, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Robbie Frylinck, Imran Tahir, Christiaan Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen