File photo: Wayne Parnell was unable to break into the South African Test XI in New Zealand © Gallo Images
Left-arm seamer Wayne Parnell and reserve wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen have been released from the South African squad in New Zealand. They will return home on Sunday, following fast bowlers Chris Morris and Duanne Olivier, who were sent back earlier in the series.
Neither Parnell nor Klaasen featured in any of the three Tests although Klaasen may have fancied his chances of a debut when Quinton de Kock was injured ahead of the third Test. De Kock damaged a tendon on his right index finger, which has ruled him out of the IPL, but was able to play the Hamilton match with some strapping.
Parnell could not displace any of the three quicks – Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada or Morne Morkel – and, like Olivier and Morris, was deemed surplus to requirements, especially with the series at its end. South Africa still have the dropped opening batsman Stephen Cook and offspinner Dane Piedt, who flew in for the third Test but did not find a place in the playing XI, on hand for substitute fielding duties.
Hamilton is the last Test in a nine-month summer for South Africa, which began in August. Their next assignment is a four-Test tour of England, right after the Champions Trophy.
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo