Big Protea names included for A series

South Africa have named a strong ‘A’ squad featuring Test paceman Vernon Philander for their winter tour of Queensland later this year.

'A' Series: News and match details

Philander has played just three first-class matches since tearing ligaments in his ankle during the Proteas’ tour of India last November, but is set to make his return through South Africa A as the Proteas look ahead to a busy summer featuring 11 Tests, including the three-match Commonwealth Bank Test series against Australia.

The 30-year-old is part of a 16-man squad for two four-day matches against Australia A in Brisbane and Townsville, which will be skippered by Test opener Stephen Cook.

The squad includes six members of the Test squad which lost 2-1 to England at the start of the year; Cook, Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma, Dane Piedt, Stiaan van Zyl and Dane Vilas.

"A number of the Test squad regulars, who are not involved in the current tri-series in the Caribbean, have been included in the four-day squads at the request of national coach, Russell Domingo," South Africa's convener of selectors Linda Zondi said.

"This will give them quality match practice ahead of the two-match series against New Zealand in August.

"Vernon Philander, in particular, has not had a lot of cricket, following his long-term injury lay-off.

"Stephen Cook is one of our most experienced and successful leaders at franchise level and he is the ideal choice to fill this important role, particularly when there are a number of young and inexperienced players in the squad."

Fast bowler Wayne Parnell will lead a 15-player one-day squad featuring batsmen David Miller and Rilee Rossouw, and left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso for the 50-over quadrangular series in Townsville and Mackay, which will also feature India A and Cricket Australia's National Performance Squad. 

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Rossouw and Phangiso are currently touring the Caribbean with South Africa’s ODI squad, while Miller will be looking to impress after being dropped for the tri-series following a lacklustre World T20 campaign.

"Wayne Parnell gets the opportunity to develop his leadership skills in the one-day format," Zondi said. 

"He was an outstanding captain of our national under-19 side and took them to the final of the under-19 World Cup in 2008.

"These are very important tours as we look to build our depth in both the four-day and 50 overs formats."

South Africa A will tour Zimbabwe from July 7-19 before heading to Australia.

South Africa A four-day squad: Stephen Cook (c), Qaasim Adams, Temba Bavuma, Dean Elgar, Heino Kuhn, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Omphile Ramela, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Vilas, Hardus Viljoen 

South Africa A one-day squad: Wayne Parnell (c), Qaasim Adams, Marchant de Lange, Reeza Hendricks, Heino Kuhn, Eddie Leie, Sisanda Magala, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Rilee Rossouw, Malusi Siboto, Khaya Zondo, David Miller, Dane Vilas 

Australia A squad: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Scott Boland, Cameron Boyce, Pat Cummins, Travis Dean, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Sam Heazlett, Moises Henriques, Jake Lehmann, Chris Lynn, Joe Mennie, Kurtis Patterson, Joel Paris, Matt Renshaw, Kane Richardson, Alex Ross, Chadd Sayers, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Chris Tremain, Dan Worrall, Sam Whiteman.

Schedule

Four-day matches 

30 July – 2 August, Australia A v South Africa A, Allan Border Field, Brisbane

6 August – 9 August, Australia A v South Africa A, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville

One-day Series

13 August, South Africa A v NPS, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville

14 August, Australia A v India A, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville

16 August, Australia A v NPS, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville

17 August, South Africa A v India A, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville

20 August, Australia A v South Africa A, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville

21 August, India A v NPS, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville

24 August, NPS v Australia A, Harrup Park, Mackay

25 August, South Africa A v India A, Harrup Park, Mackay

27 August, NPS v India A, Harrup Park, Mackay

28 August, Australia A v South Africa A, Harrup Park, Mackay

30 August, Australia A v India A, Harrup Park, Mackay

31 August, South Africa A v NPS, Harrup Park, Mackay

3 September; Final 3 v 4, Harrup Park, Mackay

4 September, Final 1 v 2, Harrup Park, Mackay

Four-day matches

8-11 September, Australia A v India A, Allan Border Field, Brisbane

15-18 September, Australia A v India A, Allan Border Field, Brisbane