Boucher dropped, Gibbs stays home

Herschelle Gibbs has, as expected, been left out of the 14-man South Africa party set to tour India next month, whilst four uncapped players have been named.

In a move which follows from Ray Jennings' earlier criticism of his attitude, experienced Mark Boucher has been dropped, and the one wicketkeeper on the plane will be Thami Tsolekile. Hashim Amla is in line to become the first man of Asian descent to represent South Africa, whilst Justin Ontong and Andy Hall return to the Test arena, Ontong for the first time in three years.

Lance Klusener is once again on the outside, as are Robbie Peterson and Paul Adams - so vice-captain Nicky Bojé appears to be the only spinner in the fourteen. Medium pace all rounders Zander de Bruyn and Alfonso Thomas also get their first calls.

*Graeme Smith
Nicky Boje
Hashim Amla
Zander de Bruyn
Boeta Dippenaar
Andrew Hall
Jacques Kallis
Makhaya Ntini
Justin Ontong
Shaun Pollock
Jacques Rudolph
+Thami Tsolekile
Alfonso Thomas
Martin van Jaarsveld

Posted by Neil