Two ex-Kolpak players in South African team

Two former Kolpak players, Charl Langeveldt and Ryan McLaren, are in the South African team that will face England in the first Twenty20 international at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday.

Langeveldt and McLaren both competed county contracts in England earlier this year and are now able to play for South Africa. Under the Kolpak conditions they could not play international cricket while under contract.

The pair will strengthen South Africa's bowling attack. Together with opening batsman Loots Bosman they make up three changes from the team which was beaten by Pakistan in the World Twenty20 in England in June.

They replace all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who is expected to play in the second match in Centurion on Sunday, Herschelle Gibbs, who has been dropped, and the injured Wayne Parnell.

Coach Mickey Arthur said Thursday the intention was to give all 15 members of the squad a chance in the two-match series.

"The one possible exception is Wayne Parnell. We are monitoring his ankle on a daily basis and will be guided by our medical and fitness teams on when he will be ready to play again."

Kallis, left-arm fast bowler Yusuf Abdulla and uncapped wicketkeeper- batsman Heino Kuhn are all expected to play in Centurion.

South African team: Graeme Smith (captain), Loots Bosman, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Albie Morkel, Mark Boucher, Ryan McLaren, Roelof van der Merwe, Johan Botha, Dale Steyn, Charl Langeveldt.