• Cobras duo joins the A team

    Fast bowler Dane Paterson and batsman Omphile Ramela, both from the Cape Cobras, have been rewarded for their domestic performances by being included in the South Africa A team for a tour to India in July and August.

    The duo’s Cobras teammate Dane Vilas, who was earlier this week included in the Proteas Test squad for the tour to Bangladesh, will captain the four-day Test squad. Dean Elgar will be captain of the limited overs squad.

    Dolphins spinner Keshav Maharaj is the other player to get a call-up to the South Africa A squad.

    Ramela made 724 runs at an average of 42 during last season’s Sunfoil Series while Paterson (42) and Maharaj (36) were among the leading wicket-takers. Another newcomer is Cameron Delport of the Dolphins who has been selected for the limited-overs squad.

    South Africa will play a triangular limited-overs series against India A and Australia A in which each team will play one another twice, with the top two going through to the final. This will be followed by two four-day unofficial Test matches against India A.

    ‘A number of relative newcomers to the Proteas have been included in the South Africa A squads and, with the Proteas due to tour India later this year, this tour will give them invaluable experience of Indian playing conditions,’ South Africa A coach, Vinnie Barnes, said.

    South Africa A four-day squad: Dane Vilas (Cape Cobras, capt), Temba Bavuma (Lions), Gihahn Cloete (Knights), Theunis de Bruyn (Titans), Marchant de Lange (Titans), Beuran Hendricks (Cape Cobras), Reeza Hendricks (Knights), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Dane Paterson (Cape Cobras), Dane Piedt (Cape Cobras), Omphile Ramela (Cape Cobras), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Lions), Stiaan van Zyl (Cape Cobras), Hardus Viljoen (Lions), David Wiese (Titans).
    South Africa A List A squad: Dean Elgar (Titans, capt), Cody Chetty (Dolphins), Theunis de Bruyn (Titans), Marchant de Lange (Titans), Cameron Delport (Dolphins), Beuran Hendricks (Cape Cobras), Reeza Hendricks (Knights), Eddie Leie (Lions), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Omphile Ramela (Cape Cobras), Mthokozisi Shezi (Cape Cobras), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Lions), Dane Vilas (Cape Cobras), David Wiese (Titans), Khaya Zondo (Dolphins).