Heinrich Klassen Included in the Test Squad for Australia Series
Published - 24 Feb 2018, 03:40 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:49 PM
Wicket-keeper batsman Heinrich Klassen who has made a name for himself in the ongoing limited overs series against India has earned his maiden call-up in the longest format of the game. All-rounder of Highveld Lions Wiaan Mulder has also been included in the 15 man squad for the series against Australia.
AB de Villiers who missed part of the limited overs series has also been included alongside skipper Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock. Du Plessis sustained an injury during the opening ODI against India. De Kock also suffered an injury during the 2nd ODI but has been included for the series against Australia.
Klassen hasn’t played Test cricket. However, he is an impressive player, especially in the shorter formats. He cracked a quickfire 69 of 31 deliveries against India in the 2nd T20I to help the Proteas. He also made an impression during the ODI series with an unbeaten 43 in the 4th ODI at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
On the other hand Muller, the all-rounder has been a prolific performer In the domestic circuit. He scored 370 runs at a staggering average of 61 and bagged 15 wickets in the 2017-18 season. He made his ODI debut against Bangladesh last year.
“Klaasen has been tremendously impressive in the white-ball matches he has played for the Proteas and we firmly believe he can become just as good a player in the five-day format,” CSA National Selection Panel Convenor Linda Zondo said.
“He has averaged nearly 50 with the bat in Sunfoil four-day cricket this season and hit two centuries. We are also keen to have a backup wicketkeeper to De Kock in the squad,” he added.
“The selection of Mulder continues our strategy to expand our pool of all-rounders against top quality opposition. He is a batting all-rounder and his selection will depend on how we decide to balance our starting XI. He has been the top all-rounder in the Sunfoil Series with a batting average of 60 (one century) and 15 wickets at an average of 28.
“It has been very exciting this season to see the way young players have settled into the various Proteas squads and done well and this is a continuation of that policy,” concluded Zondi.
The Full Squad
Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungisani Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada
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