CAPE TOWN: South Africa have given national contracts to four new players - Dean Elgar, Rory Kleinveldt, Marchant de Lange and Aaron Phagiso - in a bid to improve the national side’s performance, Cricket South Africa announced yesterday.
Ryan McLaren was re-awarded a contract after missing out over the last 12 months.
Six players, including retired wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and spinner Johan Botha - who asked to be released from his contract last October - dropped off the list.
“This is a very strong group of core players which combines youth and experience across the three formats,” selection convener Andrew Hudson said of the final 21 in a statement.
Hudson and his panel also seem to have put an end to the international careers of Jacques Rudolph and Ashwell Prince.
Rudolph was dropped after the Adelaide Test against Australia in November last year but remained a reserve batsman in the squad.
The selectors have, however, given Imran Tahir and Thami Tsolekile some rope as both were retained.
South Africa play Pakistan in October in the United Arab Emirates where spinner Tahir is likely to feature.
Tsolekile remains the reserve wicketkeeper who Hudson said is “not far off,” playing for South Africa.
List of contracted players
Nationally contracted players: Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Marchant de Lange, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Imran Tahir, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Thami Tsolekile, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
Newly contracted: Dean Elgar, Rory Kleinveldt, Marchant de Lange, Aaron Phangiso, Ryan McLaren.
No longer contracted: Mark Boucher (retired), Ashwell Prince, Rusty Theron, Albie Morkel, Jacques Rudolph. AGENCIES
