SA Announce World Cup Plans

South Africa’s preparations for the 2007 World Cup were outlined today with the announcement of a 25-man training squad, a 16-man Emerging Players squad, and the unveiling of Jonty Rhodes as a specialist ODI coach.

Gerald Majola, CEO of Cricket South Africa, laid down a strategic plan to ensure the Proteas do not flop in the West Indies as they did on their own territory at the last World Cup, three years ago. An executive committee, comprising Haroon Lorgat (convenor of selectors), Mickey Arthur (coach), Graeme Smith (captain) and Vince van der Bijl (professional cricket general manager) will oversee the build-up to the main event in the Caribbean in early 2007.

Rhodes will return from Pakistan, where he had recently been fulfilling a short-term contract, to concentrate solely on preparing his country in the best way possible for the World Cup. Majola also stated that the 25 players in the main squad will receive individual training programmes. However, he also made it clear that their places in the final squad were by no means assured, and called on the players in the Emerging Players squad to put pressure on the more established internationals.

The new committee have five limited-overs tournaments, including the ICC Champions Trophy in India and the Emerging Players series in Australia to put their new strategies into motion.

25-man training squad: Graeme Smith, Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, Jaques Kallis, Justin Kemp, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Robin Peterson, Andrew Hall, Makhaya Ntini, Loots Bosman, Ashwell Prince, Nicky Boje, Roger Telemachus, Charl Langerveld, Garnett Kruger, Dale Steyn, Johan van der Wath, Andre Nel, Justin Ontong, Alfonso Thomas, Johan Botha, Monde Zondeki, Albie Morkel

16-man Emerging Players Squad: Neil McKenzie, Loots Bosman, Alviro Peterson, JP Duminy, Albie Morkel, Justin Ontong, Robin Peterson, Thami Tsolekile, Charl Langeveldt, Garnett Kruger, Monde Zondeki, Thandi Tshabalala, Davey Jacobs, Alfonso Thomas, Johan van der Wath, Morne van Wyk