Kleinveldt And Du Plessis Earn Test Call-Ups

Kleinveldt And Du Plessis Earn Test Call-Ups

Faf du Plessis has been named in South Africa's Test squad following a string of impressive performances for the Proteas in limited overs cricket

©REUTERS / Action Images

Kleinveldt And Du Plessis Earn Test Call-Ups

Rory Kleinveldt is yet to represent South Africa in a Test or an ODI but has featured in the Hong King Sixes

©REUTERS / Action Images

Rory Kleinveldt and Francois du Plessis are the only uncapped members of a 15-man Test squad to tour Australia for three matches in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth next month.

All-rounder Kleinveldt, 29, was named in South Africa's provisional ICC World Twenty20 squad but was not selected in the final 15-man squad, while du Plessis has featured consistently in both One-Day and Twenty20 International cricket for the Proteas in the last 18 months.

Kleinveldt has previously played two Twenty20 Internationals in 2008 and 2010 but has featured in 75 first-class matches for Western Province, Cape Cobras and Hampshire.

Du Plessis, picked as the spare batsman, has played 26 ODIs and four T20Is and joined up with South Africa's Test squad in England as cover for Albie Morkel earlier this year.

Thami Tsolekile travels as second wicket-keeper to AB de Villiers and Robin Peterson accompanies Imran Tahir as the spin bowling complement.

"We have given a fully deserved vote of confidence to our Test XI that did so well on the recent tour of England and we have just tweaked our reserve strength slightly to suit expected conditions and the tactical situation," CSA Selection Convener Andrew Hudson said.

"It is tough luck for Lopsy (Lonwabo Tsotsobe) to miss out but we just feel that Rory’s ability to hit the deck hard will give us a valuable option, particularly at Brisbane and Perth. He also adds batting depth to the lower order.

"The fact that he finished second on last season’s four-day bowling averages behind only Vernon Philander speaks for itself and he continued his form for the South Africa A side at home to Sri Lanka and away in Ireland.

"We have gone for Faf du Plessis, who joined the Test squad in England during the series, as the reserve batsman because he will give us cover in the middle-order positions. We already have Jacques Rudolph to cover the top of the order if necessary.

"Thami Tsolekile will again be our back-up wicketkeeper and provide cover for AB in the event of injury or if the tour selectors decide to lighten his workload."

"Robbie Peterson’s selection as second spinner speaks for itself. His form has been outstanding across all the formats in recent times."

"Marchant de Lange was not considered because of injury. He needs to get back into three-day and four-day cricket to come back into the picture."

The series pits the number one ranked side - South Africa - against the number three-ranked side - Australia and begins with the first Test in Brisbane on 9th November.

The Proteas leave for Australia on 27th October with any players still involved in the Champions League Twenty20 joining up following the conclusion of the tournament.

South Africa Test squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Jacqus Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Morne Morkel, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Jacques Rudolph, Dale Steyn, Thami Tsolekile

© Cricket World 2012