Maharaj named in ICC Champions Trophy squad

Durban: Left-arm spinner, Keshav Maharaj, has earned his maiden One-Day International (ODI) call-up to the 15-man Standard Bank Proteas squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, which was announced on Wednesday.

The squad will play three ODI’s against England starting with the first match at Headingley in Leeds on May 24th, before their first group match of the ICC Champions Trophy against Sri Lanka at the Oval on June 3.

The 26-year-old Maharaj has had an impressive debut season for the Test squad, and comes into the squad to bolster the spin options alongside Imran Tahir.

Morne Morkel makes a return to the limited-overs format after nearly 10 months, adding experience to the pace bowling group featuring Kagiso Rabada, Wayne Parnell, Chris Morris, Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) convener of selectors, Linda Zondi, says the selectors have picked a strong squad which covers all of the combinations and conditions on offer for the eighth edition of the eight-team event.

The squad will depart for England on May 16 and will begin their preprations with two 50-over tour matches against Sussex and Northants.

Standard Bank Proteas ODI squad for three-match ODI series against England and ICC Champions Trophy:

• AB de Villiers – captain (Multiply Titans)
• Hashim Amla (BuildNat Cape Cobras)
• Quiton de Kock - wk (Multiply Titans)
• Faf du Plessis (Multiply Titans)
• JP Duminy (BuildNat Cape Cobras)
• David Miller (VKB Knights)
• Farhaan Behardien (Multiply Titans)
• Chris Morris (Multiply Titans)
• Wayne Parnell (BuildNat Cape Cobras)
• Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
• Kagiso Rabada (bizhub Highveld Lions)
• Imran Tahir (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
• Dwaine Pretorius (bizhub Highveld Lions)
• Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
• Morne Morkel (Multiply Titans).

South Africa ODI Tour to England itinerary

• Wed 24 May 1st Royal London ODI (D/N) Headingley, Leeds
• Sat 27 May 2nd Royal London ODI Ageas Bowl, Southampton
• Mon 29 May 3rd Royal London ODI Lord’s, London

South Africa matches in ICC Champions Trophy

• Sat 3 June Sri Lanka v South Africa The Oval, London
• Wed 7 June Pakistan v South Africa Edgbaston, Birmingham
• Sun 11 June India v South Africa The Oval, London