Kallis gives Champions Trophy a miss, Duminy makes a comeback

Jacques Kallis has not been named in the South African squad announced for ICC Champions Trophy to be held in England and Wales from 6th-23rd June, 2013.

Kallis has made himself unavailable for selection due to ‘personal reasons’. The all-rounder, who has made 11,498 runs in ODIs at an average of 45.26 and taken 270 wickets at 31.69 from 321 matches, last played an ODI in February 2012. However, JP Duminy, who has been out of action since November last year due to a ruptured Achille’s tendon, has fully recovered and named in the 15-man squad.

“JP is well on the way to a full recovery,” said Cricket South Africa (CSA) selection convener Andrew Hudson. “The latest information is that he will be fully fit to play his part in all three disciplines by the end of the month. He is a very experienced limited overs cricketer and we don’t anticipate his lack of match practice being any kind of problem.

“His return adds a lot of balance to the side and that, together with the presence of two batting all-rounders in Faf du Plessis and Farhaan Behardien, means that we now have the option to go into the tournament with seven specialist batsmen.

“Jacques’s experience will obviously be missed but it does create an opportunity for David Miller whose recent form has been most impressive. It also gives a young player the chance to make his mark ahead of the ICC World Cup in 2015.

“We have stayed consistent with the squad that played in the Momentum ODI series against Pakistan, also bearing in mind that we wanted to choose players who are well equipped for England conditions.

“As always there are unlucky players. Unfortunately we can only take 15 players to England. However, the World Cup is 2 years away in Australasia and is a wonderful incentive for those who have missed out to concentrate their focus.”

South Africa will start off the tournament against India at Cardiff on 6th June.

South Africa’s squad for Champions Trophy 2013:

AB de Villiers (c), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Source: cricket.co.za