Kallis surprise omission from South Africa squad

CAPE TOWN: All-rounder Jacques Kallis was a surprise omission when South Africa's 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy in England in June was announced in Cape Town Thursday.

Batsman JP Duminy returned to the squad after recovering from an Achilles tendon injury which has prevented him from playing any cricket since last November.

It had been widely expected that Kallis, who turns 38 in October, would
return to one-day international action after he was rested from games against New Zealand and Pakistan in the recent home season, ostensibly as part of a plan to manage his workload.

Kallis is currently playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

Kallis has played in 321 one-day internationals since making his debut in 1995/96.

The squad includes eight front-line batsmen, five seam bowlers and two
spinners, with three of the batsmen able to provide an additional bowling option.

Kirsten said the squad would have a camp of four to five days in the Netherlands, which includes a one-day international against the Netherlands in Amstelveen on May 31, ahead of their first Champions Trophy match against India in Cardiff on June 6.

South Africa's one-day record in the past year is mediocre. They drew 2-2 with England last year, before losing 2-1 against New Zealand and beating Pakistan 3-2.

Squad: AB de Villiers (captain, wk), 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.
(AFP)