South Africa Touring Party

On Monday the 20th of May, the South African selectors 17-man one-day squad and 16-man test squad to represent South Africa on the tour of England starting in June. This is Cricket Web's profile of the squad:

Test and ODI Players

Graeme Smith (Captain)

Having been earmarked as a potential South African captain since he made his debut just fourteen months ago, it was still a surprise to the world to see Graeme Smith appointed captain of the Springboks in the wake of the World Cup. His batting average of 49.00, though deceptive because of runs scored against Bangladesh, is a fairly true refection of the 22 year old's batting talent. Also a handy medium pace bowler, this will be Smith's first test as skipper after regulation successes against Bangladesh.

Mark Boucher (Vice Captain)

The born leader in the South African side, he is an excellent wicket-keeper (World Cup blunders aside) and a tremendously talented, hard-hitting batsman.

Paul Adams

Bowling action aside, Adams is a very talented left arm chinamen bowler. His recent recall to the South African setup since Smith's appointment as captaincy, his been a minor masterstroke, with Adams taking 12 wickets at an average of 14.91 in the two match series with the Bangladeshis.

Herschelle Gibbs

One of the most talented and exciting batsman to watch in the world. Gibbs has averaged 59.38 with the bat in Test matches in the last two years, and along with Kallis, the key wicket for the English bowlers this summer.

Jacques Kallis

The world's premiere all-rounder and will be out to prove his critics wrong after an indifferent World Cup. Kallis' Test averages of 50.40 with the bat and 28.60 with the ball speak for themselves. May be mentally unstable after his father's recent ilness.

Makhaya Ntini

An ever-improving bowler, who should find success on the English pitches. Could cause Trescothick's technical faults to come out of the woodwork again, with his back of a length bowling slanted across the left hander from wide of the crease.

Shaun Pollock

Quite possibly the best seam bowler in the world. Combine that with his excellent batting ability, and you have one superb all-rounder. Will be carrying the South Africans bowling this summer, alongside Makhaya Ntini.

Dewald Pretorius
Made his debut against the Australians in the winter of 2001/02, and despite a fairly inauspicious start to his Test career, he is a vastly talented bowler. Currently playing as an overseas player for Durham, he will be the fastest bowler in the South African one-day squad.

Jacques Rudolph

Having recently made his ODI debut, then scored a Test double century, Jacques Rudolph will be sky high on confidence. It is hard to overestimate what a talent Rudoplh is and the South Africans will be hoping that he can covert his talent into runs this summer.

Neil McKenzie
Will be looking to finally cement a place in the South African middle order in both forms of the game, this summer. McKenzie will be looking to improve on what was a slightly disappointing time against the Bangladeshis, mainly due to the lack time at the crease he got.

Test Squad Only

Boeta Dippenaar
Recently described by Bob Woolmer as 'a prodigy yet to score prodigiously,' despite this he will be desperately upset at missing out on a place in the ODI squad.

Gary Kirsten
Tremendously experienced and will provide some gritty batting to complement the flamboyance of Gibbs and Rudolph. Possibly his last tour, and will want to go out on a high.

Robin Peterson
Left arm spinning all-rounder, and will be used as Paul Adams back up in the Test matches.

Thami Tsolekile

Thami enjoyed a fine tour of Australia, for SA 'A,' with the gloves and will learn a tremendous amount about the game in England, according to the South African selectors, Omar Henry.

Charl Willoughby
Just one Test match to his name so far, despite impressive first class statistics. Is on the tour solely as backup.

Monde Zondeki

Monde Zondeki was not selected in the ODI squad as he is currently regaining full fitness after being injured in a motor accident in March and the UCB's medical staff could not guarantee his fitness in time for the ODI series. However, he is the South African's quickest bowler and an exciting talent.

ODI Squad Only
Nicky Boje

Spin bowling all-rounder, and will be used as Paul Adams back-up in the one-day matches.

Allan Dawson

The 34 year old was recalled to the fold for TVS Cup and put in some very encouraging performances.

Andrew Hall

Scored 70 on Test match debut against Australia fourteen months ago, yet has not been able to find a permanent place in the national side in either forms of the game.

Martin van Jaarsveld

Currently playing in the Lancashire leagues, van Jaarsveld will be competing with Neil McKenzie for the number 5 spot.

Charl Langeveldt

Left arm fast medium bowler. Will only play due to injuries or that South African's relatively weak bowling attack falls apart.

Andre Nel

Probably will not start off in the first ODI XI, but will look to use his expertise gained as an overseas player at Northamptonshire this summer, to forge his way into the side.

Morne van Wyk

One of only two uncapped members of the ODI squad, the other being Dewald Pretorius. May be played in the ODI side, soley as a batsman, despite being a wicket-keeper batsman by trade.

The notable absentee is the greatest ever fielder, Jonty Rhodes, who has retired from both Test match and ODI cricket, and is currently playing for Gloucestershire as an overseas player. He will be sorely missed by the Suth Africans.

Posted by RichardH