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Botha set to commence reign as new South African captain

Thursday, 07 October 2010 21:43
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It will be somethsmith_botha.jpging of a new era on many fronts for the Proteas Standard Bank squad when they play Zimbabwe in the first of two Pro20 International contests at Bloemfontein's OUTsurance Oval on Friday evening (6pm start).

Johan Botha has considerable international captaincy experience but this will be the first game since he was awarded the Pro20 captaincy on a full-time basis. The national selectors have also continued on their youthful policy for this format of the game which started with David Miller's call-up (then only 20 years old) for the limited overs section of the West Indies tour earlier this year.

The Chevrolet Warriors duo of Colin Ingram and Rusty Theron are in line for their international debuts in at least one of the games while there are recalls for Heino Kuhn behind the stumps and for spin bowling all-rounder Robbie Peterson.

The very fact that Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, Albie Morkel and AB de Villiers are missing through injury automatically gives the squad a different look as well.
There will also be a lot of interest in the return of Wayne Parnell after a long-term injury.

Botha said he was not expecting an easy ride from Zimbabwe. "In this format of the game it only needs one batsman to make 80 off 50 balls or a bowler to pick up a few quick wickets to put you under pressure," he commented.

"We are in the fortunate position that several of our players have done well for South Africa A in the off-season or in the Champions League so it will not be like a start to the season. We already have good match practice under our belt."

Botha said he wanted his players "to be aggressive within reason". "I expect the youngsters will give it a full go," he added.

With the exception of Albie Morkel who was replaced earlier in the week by Ryan McLaren, Botha said he had a full squad of 13 players available for selection.
"Albie is 90-95 percent fit but he is not ready for selection quite yet."

File Photograph Copyright: ICC World T20

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