Wayne Parnell has not played an international match since July 2015 © Associated Press
Wayne Parnell has not played an international match in six months since South Africa’s tour to Bangladesh, but remains a part of the senior side’s plans. He was named in the South African A side that will play against England in the one-day match in Kimberly on January 30.
The fixture is a warm-up for the five-match ODI series that follows the four Test rubber. The A team, which includes two debutans, Titans’ left-hander Qaasim Adams and Dolphins quick Andile Phehlukwayo, will be led by Test opener Dean Elgar. He has emerged as a possible contender for the Test captaincy, which the national selectors will decide this winter. Elgar’s leadership role with the A team may provide clues as to whether he can take the job at a higher level.
Adams has been playing between two franchises this season, after he was sent on loan to Lions. He hit two half-centuries in his last two innings while Phehlukwayo impressed in the twenty-over competition semi-final, where he defended four runs off the final over. In the tournament overall, he took 12 wickets at 21.75, although he only has one wicket in the domestic fifty-over tournament.
“Qaasim and Andile have both done well in the franchise limited overs competitions and this is their opportunity to show what they can do at the next level,” Linda Zondi, South Africa’s convener of selectors said.
Parnell leads the one-day cup list with 10 wickets in four matches at 18.60, but has sat out since early December with a foot injury. He will lead an attack which also includes recent Test debutant Hardus Viljoen, allrounder David Wiese, and left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso, who has been left out for ODI series against England. Dane Vilas will take the wicket-keeping gloves while Reeza Hendricks and Khaya Zondo are are the two other batsmen who have had stints with the national squad.
South Africa A team: Dean Elgar (capt), Qaasim Adams, Theunis de Bruyn, Reeza Hendricks, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dane Vilas, Hardus Viljoen, David Wiese, Khaya Zondo
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa correspondent
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo