Johannesburg, May 31: Spinner Johan Botha will lead South Africa in the absence of AB de Villiers for an unofficial T20 series against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh next month, starting from June 18.
De Villiers is among the four senior players rested for the Zimbabwe tour along with Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn.
Faf du Plessis of the Titans has also been included in the T20 squad for the first time
“The four players concerned have turned out in virtually all their games for their franchises during the Indian Premier League (IPL),” Sports24 quoted Cricket South Africa (CSA) selection convener Andrew Hudson, as saying.
“In addition they are involved in all three international formats for the Proteas and this is the last chance to rest them until the end of the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September and October,” he added.
“Du Plessis has been a stand-out performer for the Chennai Super Kings at the IPL and well deserves his T20 call-up. He has given us exciting, extra options by demonstrating his ability both at the top of the order and in the middle-order,” he said.
© ANI
