Bacher back for South Africa

The return of Adam Bacher was the major surprise when South Africa announced their 15-man squad for the seven-match one-day series against England, which begins at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday (Jan 30).

Bacher, 31 - the nephew of the former board chief Ali - has been out of favour for seven years, but returns after a good domestic season with the Lions. In ten limited-overs matches so far this term he has scored 502 runs at 62.75, with a highest score of 158 not out against the Warriors at Potchefstroom. Charl Langeveldt also returns, after missing the last two Tests with a broken hand suffered during his dramatic Test debut at Cape Town.

There is no place, meanwhile, for Lance Klusener - one of five players who were in South Africa's Champions Trophy squad in England in September who have not been selected this time. The others are Martin van Jaarsveld, J-P Duminy, Alan Dawson and Robin Peterson.

Boeta Dippenaar also missed out on the senior side, although he wil captain South Africa A in the warm-up match at Kimberley on Thursday. He will toss before that game with a special coin, minted by the local De Beers mining company, which will be presented to the Griqualand West Cricket Union after the match.

South Africa ODI squad
Graeme Smith (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Adam Bacher, Jacques Kallis, Jacques Rudolph, AB de Villiers, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher (wk), Andrew Hall, Justin Kemp, Nicky Boje, Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel.

South Africa A v England XI (Jan 27)
1 AB de Villiers, 2 Morne van Wyk (wk), 3 Boeta Dippenaar (capt), 4 Adam Bacher, 5 Justin Ontong, 6 J-P Duminy, 7 Albie Morkel, 8 Johannes van der Wath, 9 Alfonso Thomas, 10 Garnet Kruger, 11 Ethy Mbhalati. 12th man Loots Bosman.