George Linde Replaces JJ Smuts In South Africa Squad For The India T20Is
Published - 05 Sep 2019, 02:17 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:01 AM
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South Africa have dropped JJ Smuts from the upcoming three-match T20I series against India after the cricketer failed to meet the fitness standards. All-rounder George Linde will replace Smuts in the squad led by Quinton de Kock.
Smuts last played a T20I in 2018 against India and has featured in eight games for South Africa. The selectors named him in the initial squad but the batsman has failed to clear the fitness test ahead of South Africa’s departure.
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Meanwhile, it was an easy choice for the selectors to draft in Linde George. The 27-year-old all-rounder is currently in India plying his trade for South Africa A. He has been in good form scoring an unbeaten half-century in the second unofficial ODI against India A.
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Linde’s inclusion to the squad will certainly boost the Proteas middle-order against a top-notch side like India. Linde has played 75 T20s so far and has 611 runs at a strike rate of 139.81. However, his bowling has been more effective than his batting. He’s taken 77 wickets at a strike rate of 19.3.
The team will be led by a new skipper Quinton de Kock. Rassie van der Dussen will work as his deputy. Former skipper Faf du Plessis will not be a part of the T20I squad; however, he will return to lead the Test team. South Africa will want to revamp their squad after a poor outing in the ICC World Cup 2019.
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The Proteas will depart for India on Friday and will play a three-match T20 series starting on September 15.
South Africa T20I squad for India series:
Quinton de Kock (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Bavuma, Junior Dala, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Linde George
