JOhannesburg: Rory Kleinveldt will replace fellow fast bowler Morne Morkel in the South African team for the third and final Test against Pakistan starting at Centurion on Friday.
Selection convener Andrew Hudson confirmed yesterday that Morkel would not play because of a hamstring injury which twice forced him off the field during the second Test which ended in Cape Town on Sunday.
It will be Kleinveldt’s fourth Test cap.
He made his debut when South Africa opted for an all-pace attack in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane last November and made two subsequent appearances when Vernon Philander was unfit.
Dolphins fast bowler Kyle Abbott, the leading wicket-taker in South Africa’s domestic four-day competition which ended recently, has been added to the squad as cover.
Abbott has been drafted in as Lonwabo Tsotsobe was also ruled out through injury
“We did consider Lonwabo Tsotsobe but unfortunately he is still recovering from an ankle injury and will only be fit in time for the limited overs segment of the tour,” Hudson said.
“Kyle has done extremely well in the Sunfoil Series this season. He had an outstanding match return of 12-96 against the champion Cape Cobras and finished the series as the leading wicket-taker (49) and with the second best average (15.36).
“He swings the ball nicely and is another player who has earned a call-up through outstanding form at franchise level.”
South Africa, who won both the first two Tests, will go into the final match knowing they are guaranteed a $450,000 bonus for being on top of the International Cricket Council rankings at the April 1 cut-off date.
South African Test squad: Graeme Smith (capt), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Rory Kleinveldt, Jacques Rudolph, Kyle Abbott.Agencies
