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CAPE TOWN: South Africa have named six uncapped players in their 17-man squad for the first two tests of the four-match series against England under new coach Mark Boucher.
Boucher faces a rebuilding job for a side who have lost their last five tests. The team has lost stalwarts Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn to retirement, and injuries ruling out fast bowler Lungi Ngidi and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder.
Batsmen Pieter Malan and Rassie van der Dussen, fast bowlers Dane Paterson and Beuran Hendricks, all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius and wicketkeeper Rudi Second will all hope to make their debuts in the first test starting in Pretoria on Decemeber 26.
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“The high number of uncapped players coming into the squad is a reflection of our policy of acknowledge players who do well at franchise level and have put their hands up for selection,” Cricket South Africa selector Linda Zondi said in a statement.
“Van der Dussen, who is third on the current four-day batting averages, and Pretorius, who has established himself as the leading all-rounder, are clear examples of this.
“Following the same trend Paterson has been the second leading wicket-taker in four-day cricket this season and we want to go into the test series will a full arsenal of fast bowlers who have always provided one of our traditional strengths.”
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