Morne Morkel has been included in South Africa’s Test squad to tour New Zealand in March after recovering from a career-threatening back injury, which had kept him out of the national team since June. Morkel forms part of a six-strong fast-bowling pack that includes a fully fit Vernon Philander, who has recovered from an ankle impingement, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier, and allrounders Wayne Parnell and Chris Morris. South Africa have picked only one specialist spinner in Keshav Maharaj.
In the absence of AB de Villiers, who opted out of Test cricket for most of 2017, South Africa have picked reserve batsman Theunis de Bruyn and uncapped wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen from Titans, who finished seventh on the batting charts in the Sunfoil Series first-class competition.
Following his injury in July, Morkel played only one first-class match in the remainder of 2016, apart from three practice matches during South Africa’s tour of Australia in October-November. Last week, he turned out for Titans in South Africa’s premier List A tournament, the Momentum Cup, bowling eight overs against Dolphins.
Cricket South Africa’s selection convener Linda Zondi was pleased with Morkel’s return to full fitness.
“Morne Morkel has worked hard on his fitness over the past few months and we believe he is now 100 per cent fit and fully able to compete for his place in the team,” Zondi added. “We have six quality fast bowlers in the squad and that shows just how much of depth the country has in this department.”
Zondi also said Klaasen had been called-up on the basis of his performances in the Sunfoil Series and Dane Vilas’ unavailability following a Kolpak deal. South Africa have also picked 24-year-old de Bruyn, who was part of the Test squad for the home series against Sri Lanka but did not get a game. De Bruyn was the third-highest run-getter in the Sunfoil Series with 751 runs at an average of 57.76.
“Heinrich Klaasen was one of the top performers throughout the season and he is rewarded for his form by being included in the Test squad,” Zondi said. “With Dane Vilas no longer available for selection, it was an opportunity to reward someone else. This will be an excellent opportunity for Heinrich and we wish him all the best.”
South Africa Test squad Faf du Plessis (capt), Stephen Cook, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier, Theunis de Bruyn, Heinrich Klaasen, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa correspondent
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo